Effect of carrot (Daucus carota) flour on pigmentation and blood parameters of Catla catla and Cyprinus carpio

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to determine the effect of carrot flour (Daucus carota) on pigmentation and blood parameters of Catla catla (Thaila) and Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp). Pigmentation is often a key indicator for fish in terms of consumer acceptability. Thaila has immense cultural and economic importance in South Asia because of its flesh quality and large size. Common carp is also an important edible fish and the third most frequently introduced species all over the world due to its ornamental colors. Carrot flour, rich in vitamin A, is a natural vegetable feed source as a pigmentation enhancer because it contains carotenoids in large amounts. High amounts of beta-carotene also act as an antioxidant and have a beneficial effect on fish health. For this experiment, an 8-week trial was conducted with two groups (one experimental and one control) in triplicate, having an equal number of fish (n = 20 each). After completion of the trial, blood and skin samples from both fish species were taken and subjected to a hemocytometer and a spectrophotometer, respectively. Statistical inference using the t-test was done to get the final results of the trial. The carrot flour supplementation led to increased red blood cell counts in both species, with significant changes in other hematological parameters as well. Additionally, both species exhibited enhanced pigmentation in dorsal and ventral scales when fed carrot flour according to 2.5% of the body weight of the fish. These findings suggest potential benefits of the carrot flour in improving hematological parameters as well as pigmentation in fish, leading to better consumer acceptability and potential economic benefits.