Effect of Various Levels of Garlic Essence on Growth Performance, Feeding Rate and Chemical Body Composition in Beluga (Huso huso) Juveniles

The effect of garlic essence on growth, feeding indices and chemical body composition was investigated in juveniles of reared beluga (Huso huso). Six diets (one diet without garlic essential oil and antibiotic as in control diet, one diet with 30 mg/kg Oxytetracycline antibiotic and four diets with 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg garlic essence) were prepared and fed to juvenile Beluga with mean weight of 24±1.50 g for 8 weeks. The final weight (FW) and percentage increase in body weight (BWI), Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER), Protein Production Ratio (PPR) and total body protein content were significantly higher in diet with 150 mg/kg garlic essence while, the Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) was significantly lower. This treatment was significantly (P<0.05) better than other treatments. In conclusion, adding 150mg/kg garlic essential oil to beluga juvenile diet is proposed to improve growth performance, feeding indices and chemical body composition.