Bioaccumulation of cobalt, digestive enzyme activities, and growth of freshwater catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch), fed cobalt-supplemented diets

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of excess dietary cobalt (Co) on its bioaccumulation, on digestive enzyme activities, and on the growth of freshwater catfish Heteropneustes fossilis (Bloch). Four isonitrogenous diets (average crude protein: 32.7%) were formulated to prepare a control diet (T1) with no Co, and three Co-supplemented diets with 0.05 (T2), 0.1 (T3), and 1.0 (T4)% Co. The results showed that H. fossilis fed with T3 diet showed maximum apparent protein digestibility, feed conversion, protein utilization, and growth. Protease and lipase activities were also maximum in T3 diet. Accumulation of Co in different soft and hard tissues of the fish did not show any correlation with the level of Co in the diet. The concentration of Co in the water increased with its dietary level, being at an alarming level at 1.0% dietary Co. It is concluded that an additional supply of dietary Co up to a level of 0.1% is a viable option to augment growth of the catfish H. fossilis, but at higher levels of Co it may be detrimental to the fish and the aquatic ecosystem.