Mentha arvensis (corn mint, field mint or wild mint) is a species of flowering plant in the Mint family Lamiaceae. It is generally cultivated to extract the oil from its leaves and the residue is discarded. This extracted Mentha (Mentha arvensis) leaves are an agricultural waste, which can be utilized in the fish feed as it is a good source of protein, energy, minerals and antioxidants
A feeding trail was conducted for 60 days to evaluate the utilization of extracted Mentha arvensis leaf meal (EMLM) in the diet of Cyprinus carpio fingerlings reared in inland saline water. Four iso-nitrogenous (30% CP) and iso-caloric diets were formulated with varying level of EMLM viz. 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% by replacing DORB. The growth and antioxidant enzymes were studied.
The results of feeding trial showed that the fish fed with control and T1 diet exhibited the highest weight gain and SGR meanwhile, a significant decrease in growth was found at higher inclusion levels of EMLM (20% and 30%). The lowest FCR was observed in both control and T1 groups with no difference between them. The group fed with at 20% and 30% EMLM showed a significant decrease in antioxidant enzymes activities. The branchial and hepatic SOD and catalase activity varied significantly among the experimental groups whereas the GPx activity varied significantly only in the gills but not in the liver. The fishes of both control and the T1 group showed highest SOD, Catalase & GPx activity in gill and liver.
EMLM
Our results indicates that 10% inclusion of extracted Mentha arvensis leaf meal (EMLM) can be incorporated into the diet for optimum growth, feed utilization and antioxidant activity in Cyprinus carpio reared in inland saline water by replacing DORB. Overall, the agro-waste of extracted Mentha arvensis leaf meal (EMLM) can be managed by incorporating the same in carp feed.