Linolenic acid supplementation in the diet of European catfish (Silurus glanis): effect on growth and fatty acid composition

In an 18‐week treatment, the effect of linolenic acid on European catfish (Silurus glanis L.) growth indicators was investigated as to weight gain, feeding coefficient (FCR value), specific growth rate (SGR value), protein efficiency ratio (PER value), productive protein value (PPV) and survival rate. Concurrently, the fishmeat chemical composition was also investigated. The experiment was organized into four groups, each divided into three subgroups. Stocked in each of 12 cages were 30 × 1‐year‐old catfish, with individual weights ranging from 148.5 to 151.5 g/ind. All fish were given standard feed for European catfish which contained 45% protein. The first batch, control group (C), received no additional linolenic acid. Linolenic acid was added to the feed of the second (E1), third (E2) and fourth group (E3), at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5%, respectively. Growth indicator improvement was best in the E2 group fed the 1% linolenic acid, whereby the fish weight gain was 12.6% higher and the feeding coefficient 12.9% lower, while SGR, PER and PPV values were 6.1, 12.0 and 15.8% better than the control group. Growth indicators were also significantly (P