Effect of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Powder on Growth Performance, Biochemical Parameters, Blood Carotenoid Concentration, and Fillet Color of Rainbow Trout

The degree of flesh pigmentation is one of the most important quality criteria dictating the fish market value. It is well known that fish, like other animals, cannot synthesize their own coloring pigments , and must obtain these pigments from their diet. In this study, four levels of black mulberry ( ) juice powder (BMP) as a natural pigment source were incorporated into a basal diet at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75% and fed to rainbow trout weighing 100±5 g for 8 weeks in triplicate. At the end of the feeding trial, the effect of BMP on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and fillet color was examined. Fish fed BMP showed significant enhancements in weight gain (WG), specific growth (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rates (SR) (P