The effects of exogeneous papain enzyme in the feed on growth and blood profiles of Sangkuriang catfish (Clarias sp.) cultivated in the pond

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effects of exogeneous papain enzyme supplemented feed on the growth and blood profiles of Sangkuriang catfish (Clarias sp). The intensive culture system of Sangkuriang catfish decreases water quality that hinders fish growth. The cultivation practices also develop diseases that further decreases the production, including through feeding that contain immunostimulant. The fish sample was Sangkuriang catfish with the average weight of 12.84 (±0.69) g per fish. The experiment used papain enzyme supplemented feed with 5 (five) treatments. Those treatments were A (0 g papain per kg feed), B (0.5 g papain per kg feed), C (1 g papain per kg feed), D (1.5 g papain per kg feed), E (2 g papain per kg feed). Parameters observed were diet usage efficiency (EFU), ratio of protein efficiency (PER), relative growth rate (RGR), survival rate (SR), blood profiles and water quality. The results show that papain enzyme supplementation in the feed significantly (P<0.01) affected on EFU, PER, and RGR; however, it did not significantly influence SR and blood profiles of Sangkuriang catfish. The optimal dose of the papain enzyme for EFU, PER and RGR were 1 g per kg feed. The water quality during study had been in feasible condition for Sangkuriang catfish cultivation.