IMPACT OF LYCOPENE SUPPLEMENTED CANOLA MEAL-BASED DIET ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS OF CATLA CATLA FINGERLINGS

A 70 days feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of lycopene supplemented canola meal-based diet on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and anti-oxidant status of Catla catla fingerlings. Seven experimental diets viz. T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 and T7 were formulated with graded lycopene levels i.e., 0 (control), 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 mgkg(-1), respectively and fed to fingerlings using completely randomized design (CRD). During experimental period, fish were fed at 5% of their total biomass. After performing one-way Analysis of Variance, it was observed that maximum weight gain % (193%) and best FCR (1.95) was observed in fish group fed diet having 40 mgkg(-1) of lycopene. Optimum gross energy (68%), ether extract (77%) and crude protein (75%) values were found in fish at the same level and these values showed significant (p <= 0.05) difference than the control diet. Lowest percentage of oxidation (3.57%) was observed at test diet having 40 mgkg(-1) with the highest antioxidant activity recorded in fish fed T-V diet. It was concluded that lycopene supplemented canola meal-based diet optimally improved growth parameters, nutrient utilization and antioxidant status of C. catla fingerling at 40 mgkg (-)(1).