Mineral status of juvenile Beluga (Huso huso) fed citric acid supplemented diets.

Abstract

Abstract: A study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary citric acid (CA) (0, 1, 2 and 3%) on the Calcium(Ca) and Phosphorus(P) content of muscle, scute and serum of Beluga (Huso huso) juveniles (25.1±1.9 g). After 8 weeks feeding on the experimental diets, Calcium(Ca) and Phosphorus(P) content of muscle, scute and serum were measured. The results revealed that addition with 2 % and 3 % CA significantly increased the Ca and P content of muscle and serum. Dietary CA had no effect on Ca content of scute, but P content of scute was significantly higher compared to additional 1 % CA and control. These results indicate that addition of CA to diet of Beluga increased the bioavailability of mineral, thereby increasing muscle and scute mineralzation.