Effects of Feeds Enriched with Exogenous Enzymes on the Growth, Flesh Composition and Platability of an Indian Major Carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795)

Abstract

In response to the increasing use of exogenous enzymes in carp polyculture systems in Bangladesh, a study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeds enriched with exogenous enzymes on the growth, flesh composition, and palatability of an Indian major carp, Cirrhinus cirrhosus. This feeding trial was conducted over 90 days in 12 cages in a fish pond at University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh. A commercial feed additive (Aquazyme Plus) was used as the enzyme source at concentrations of 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0 g/kg feed to prepare four test feeds, designated as the following treatments: T₁ (control), T₂, T₃, and T₄. Growth and feed utilization parameters, flesh composition, and organoleptic qualities of cooked flesh were evaluated using standard formulas, methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC), and an organoleptic technique, respectively. Results revealed superior weight gain and SGR in fish from group T₄, followed by those from groups T₃, T₂, and T₁. Group T₄ also exhibited the best FCR and PER, as well as the highest protein and lipid content. Organoleptic evaluation showed that the flesh of fish from groups T₃ and T₄ achieved higher scores for sensory qualities, while that of the control fish achieved the lowest scores. The incorporation of exogenous enzymes into the feed improves the growth, flesh quality, and organoleptic qualities of C. cirrhosus. The incorporation of this enzyme at a dose of 6.0 g/kg of feed resulted in significantly better results for this species.

J. Bio-Sci. 34(1): 41-50, 2026