The enhancement of growth performance and feed efficiency of Asian catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed on Cinnamomum burmannii leaf powder and extract as nutritional supplementation

This research was performed to evaluate and compare the growth performance of Asian catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) fed diets containing Cinnamomum burmannii leaf powder and extract. Catfish with an initial body weight of 319±36 g fish-1 was reared in 9 different floating cages (2 x 1 x 1.5 m) with a density of 15 fish per cage for 60 days period. The fish were fed with diets containing cinnamon leaf either in powder or extract form at different doses: 0% cinnamon leaf, 0.1% cinnamon leaf extract, 1% cinnamon leaf powder. Fish were fed twice a day with a feeding rate of 3% of the average body weight. The results showed that the addition of cinnamon leaf extract and powder significantly increased the fish specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein retention as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Biochemical analysis of blood showed that the cinnamon leaf extract and powder considerably lowered cholesterol, triglycerides, and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL0 (p < 0.05). However, cinnamon leaf extract more effectively increased HDL levels and decreased fat in the liver by 41% and 38% respectively, than cinnamon leaf powder did (p < 0.05). Supplementation of 0.1% extract and 1% powder of cinnamon leaf in diet was efficient and applicable in improving the growth performance of catfish.