Comparision the effect of different acidifiers levels, potassium diformate (KDF) and calcium diformate (CaDF) on food efficiency, food conversion ratio and growth parameters in juvenile Huso huso

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the importance of Huso huso in Iran and the world and the fact that this fish has no teeth but is a carnivore, which indicates a strong digestive system and is compatible with foods high in protein, there is a need to use acidifiers as a dietary supplement. Recently, the use of Acidifier (a group of organic acids) has been increased in aquaculture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Acidifier (potassium diformate and calcium diformate) on the growth performance, nutrition indices, and Digestive enzymes activity of the juvenile Huso huso.
Materials & Methods: A total of 840 juvenile Huso huso (30.55±1.72 g) was randomly divided into seven experimental treatments (Three replicates each). All groups were fed with the experimental diet for 60 days. The Bioassay conducted on the first day and after 30 and 60 days and then growth parameters were investigated. The experimental diets contain 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 % Potassium diformate (KDF) and 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2 % Calcium diformate (CaDF). diet control was without any acidifier.
Results: The results showed that specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) decreased with time of experiment in all treatments (even control group) and they were significant increased feed conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (CF) and daily weight gain with time of experiment in all treatments (even control group). In the first 30 days of the experiment, all growth indices in potassium deformate treatment were 0.15 higher than other treatments and the control group (P<0.05).

Results show that all growth parameters are affected by acidifier compared to the control group. The best FCR and SGR observed in the groups fed with 0.15 % supplemented food by KDF (1.18 ± 0.03), (5.24±0.25) (P<0.05) at day 30 respectively. Although the best FCR and SGR observed in the groups fed with 0.15 % supplemented food by CaDF (1.81±0.05), (2.7±0.15) (P<0.05) at day 60 respectively. SGR, DWG and FCR of 0.15% KDF in the whole experimental period (60th days) showed a significant difference with other treatments (P<0.05), but in the parameters of FER and PER was Significant difference with other experimental treatments except 0.15% (CaDF) (P<0.05). It can be concluded that the addition of 0.15% of KDF to beluga diets improves growth parameters and decreases.
Conclusion: Moreover, these results indicated that 0.15 % of KDF in the diet could be a useful food supplement preferably at 30 days and can be used to improve the growth parameters and welfare in juvenile Huso huso.