Effect of vitamin C and mineral enriched diet on growth and survival of Labeo rohita fry

Abstract

The present study was conducted to understand the effect of vitamin C and mineral enriched diet on growth, survival and mineral accumulation in Labeo rohita fry. The study was conducted for a period of 60 days and it was found that the growth and survival rate increased when local ingredients were fortified with commercially available and commonly used vitamin-mineral mixture, vitamin C and selected mineral elements (Zn, Cu and Mn). The best survival rate (76%) was recorded when feed was supplemented with all the three components (vitamin-mineral mixture, vitamin C and mineral supplement), followed by vitamin-mineral mixture + vitamin C (75.3%) and vitamin-mineral mixture. The Zn, Cu and Mn fortification in the diet also reflected higher deposition of these three minerals in the whole body as well as 38.4% reduction in the cost of production and 152.6% higher revenue generation compared to commercial feed (control). Keywords: Copper, Labeo rohita, Manganese, Vitamin C, Zinc