Abstract
Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of citric acid (CA) and phytase (PHY) pre-treatment on growth, muscles proximate composition, whole body proximate composition and minerals status of Labeo rohita juveniles. Four experimental diets were prepared by supplementing citric acid (0 and 2%) and phytase (0 and 1000 FTU/kg) in 2x2 factorial arrangements. Total 180 juveniles (3.45 +/- 0.013) were distributed to 12 tanks having triplicate tank for each test diet. Weight gain of each replicate was recorded on weekly basis. Results showed that growth of L. rohita juveniles was significantly improved by the supplementation of CA and PHY. Improved (p<0.05) dry mater, crude protein, crude fat, and crude ash contents in the muscles and whole body of juveniles in response to CA and PHY supplementations were observed. Again, dietary acidification with CA also improved (p<0.05) the whole-body mineralization. Moreover, PHY pretreatment also resulted in higher (p<0.05) mineral deposition in the body as compared to control group. Both supplements interacted positively (p<0.05) to enhance most of body minerals. In short, CA as well as PHY efficiently enhanced growth performance, muscle proximate composition and whole-body nutrient status ofL. rohita when fed on sunflower meal-based diet.