Kombucha Tea as Feed Supplement for African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The fisheries sector plays a significant role in the national economy of Malaysia and considered an essential sub-sector of food production. Thus, to improve the overall fish well-being and increase production quality, many natural resources are being sought after. The success of kombucha tea in the poultry industry as a natural, highly beneficial and inexpensive source of feed supplement has yet to be studied in the aquaculture industry. An in vivo study was then conducted with an overall objective of determining the effects of kombucha tea as a feed supplement in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus. Materials and Methods: Assessment on the suitability of kombucha tea as feed supplement was done in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion ratio. Treatment diet containing kombucha tea culture was prepared and given to the treatment group while comparing with the control group, which was given with diet without any kombucha culture twice daily for thirty-five days. Weekly growth performance of the fishes was assessed throughout these periods. Results: The results showed a significant increase in growth performance whereby the weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficacy increased by two-folds in treatment group compare to the control group. Conclusion: This study proved that there was evidence of growth promoter property of kombucha tea in terms of weight gain, specific growth rate and feed conversion efficacy in African catfish.