Determination of growth performance and body chemical composition of gilthead sea bream(Sparus aurata) fed with the diet including different levels of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract in winter conditions

In this study, the effects of different levels of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 g/kg diet; G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5 respectively) supplementation on growth performance and body composition of gilthead sea bream fingerlings (Sparus aurata) were inverstigated. For this purpose, thirty gilthead sea bream juveniles (average body weight was 10.70 g) were stocked into each tanks (450 L) as triplicate and experiment lasted for 75 days. Average water temperature, oxygen level and salinity were determined as 13.8±0.50°C, 5.9±1mg/L, 39?, respectively during the experimental period. At the end of the experiment, final body weight (FBW) 36.29±0.33 g, specific growth ratio (SGR) 1.48±0.01, feed conversion rate (FCR) 1.31±0.01, averace daily growth (ADG) 3.19±0.04, protein efficiency ratio (PER) 0.50±0.01, thermal growth coefficient (TGC) 80.24±0.76, and net protein utilisation (NPU) 33.91±0.32 were found better in G5 than those the other groups (p<0.05). In addition, whole-body protein, dry matter and fat levels were different statistically among groups (p<0.05). Hepato somatic index (HSI) and visceral somatic index (VSI) were not different among groups (p<0.05). As a consequence, the using of 2 g/kg artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract in sea bream juveniles diets could be recommended for intensive sea bream culture in winter conditions.