Effect of beetroot (Beta vulgaris) and apple (Pyrus malus) peel fortified diets on growth, body composition and total carotenoid content of Barilius bendelisis

The effect of Beetroot (Beta vulgaris (T₁ to T₄) and Apple (Pyrus malus) peel at 0 (T₀), 3 (T₁ & T₅), 5 (T₂ & T₆), 7 (T₃ & T₇), and 10 (T₄ & T₈) % incorporation levels were tested on growth, body composition and total carotenoid content in Barilius bendelisis for a period of 60 days in triplicate. An overall reduction from 2.96 (T₀) to 1.96 (T₈) and 1.59 (T₄) in FCR was observed with increase in either Beetroot or Apple in the diet. RGR (%) was increased from 93.37 (T₀) to 141.17 (T₈) and 169.96 (T₄) while SGR (%) from 1.09 (T₀) to 1.46 (T₈) and 1.65 (T₄). The crude protein increased from 14.9% (T₀) to 15.5% (T₈) and 15.87% (T₄). Proximate composition of the fish was significantly influenced by the incorporation of either Beetroot or Apple peel (particularly for T₄ and T₈) in the diet. Total carotenoids were much significantly influenced by Apple peel and it was improved from 2.09 μg g¹ (T₀) to 3.68 μg g⁻¹ (T₈) than the Beetroot.B. bendelisisfed on either Beetroot or Apple peel @ 10% of their diet not only improved the growth but also significantly enhanced its total carotenoid content and body composition. It can be concluded that cheap and easily available natural carotenoids sources like beetroot and Apple peel meal can be incorporated into B. bendelisis diet @ 10% level to obtain better pigmentation and market value.