Analysis and Benefits of Building Leaf Feed

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 79 views

Feeding the Leaf-Bangun Bangun (Coleus amboinicus) to the Growth and Survival of Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

Introduction

The use of natural ingredients in fish feed has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential benefits for fish growth, health, and sustainability. One such ingredient is the leaf powder of Coleus amboinicus, also known as the Bangun Bangun leaf. This study aims to investigate the effects of feeding catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) with a leaf powder of Coleus amboinicus on their growth and survival.

Background

Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is one of the most widely farmed fish species in the world, and its farming has become a significant industry in many countries. However, the use of commercial feed has raised concerns about the environmental impact, health risks, and high production costs associated with it. Therefore, there is a growing interest in exploring alternative and sustainable feed sources, such as natural ingredients like leaf powders.

Materials and Methods

This study was conducted in the Natural and Environmental Resource Processing Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of North Sumatra, Medan, Indonesia, from April to June 2022. The experiment used a Complete Random Design (CRD) with four treatments and six replications. The treatments consisted of:

P0: Pellet feed without leaf powder
P1: Pellet feed with 0.5% leaf powder
P2: Pellet feed with 1% leaf powder
P3: Pellet feed with 1.5% leaf powder

The leaf powder used in this study was obtained from the leaves of Coleus amboinicus, which were dried and ground into a fine powder. The fish were fed with a commercial pellet feed, and the leaf powder was added to the feed at the specified concentrations.

Results

The results of this study showed that the highest survival rate of fish was obtained in the treatment P0 (Pellet + without leaf powder), which was 86.7%. However, the addition of leaf powder at a concentration of 1.5% (P3 treatment) resulted in a significant increase in weight (19.86 g) and specific length (17.00 cm) compared to other concentrations. Additionally, the P3 treatment showed better feed quality, as indicated by the lowest feed conversion value (2.32 g).

Analysis and Benefits of Building Leaf Feed

The results of this study can be attributed to the nutritional content of the leaf powder, which includes polyphenols, saponins, and essential oils. These compounds are known to support fish growth by increasing appetite and feed efficiency. The analysis of the results showed a significant influence (p < 0.05) on the increase in weight and length of the fish.

The use of natural ingredients like leaf powders in fish feed has several benefits, including:

Improved fish health: The rich nutritional content in the leaf powder can support the fish immune system, making them more resistant to disease and environmental stress.
Reduced production costs: The use of natural feed can reduce production costs, as well as increase food sustainability and safety.
Increased business profitability: By increasing the growth and survival of fish, breeders can maximize production results.

Conclusion

The use of leaf powder of Coleus amboinicus in catfish feed shows promising potential. To maximize results, breeders are advised to apply the right dose and conduct regular monitoring to ensure that fish remain in optimal condition. Further research is also needed to explore the long-term effects of the use of this leaf powder and the best way to integrate it into cultivation practices.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of the use of leaf powder in catfish feed.
The best way to integrate leaf powder into cultivation practices should be investigated.
Breeders should apply the right dose of leaf powder and conduct regular monitoring to ensure that fish remain in optimal condition.

Future Directions

The use of natural ingredients like leaf powders in fish feed has the potential to revolutionize the aquaculture industry. Further research is needed to explore the benefits and limitations of using leaf powders in fish feed, as well as to develop more efficient and sustainable methods for producing and using these ingredients.

References

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Note: The references should be cited in the text and listed at the end of the article.
Q&A: Feeding the Leaf-Bangun Bangun (Coleus amboinicus) to the Growth and Survival of Catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of feeding catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) with a leaf powder of Coleus amboinicus on their growth and survival.

Q: What are the benefits of using leaf powder in fish feed?

A: The use of leaf powder in fish feed has several benefits, including improved fish health, reduced production costs, and increased business profitability.

Q: What is the nutritional content of the leaf powder?

A: The leaf powder contains polyphenols, saponins, and essential oils, which are known to support fish growth by increasing appetite and feed efficiency.

Q: How does the leaf powder affect the growth and survival of catfish?

A: The results of this study showed that the addition of leaf powder at a concentration of 1.5% resulted in a significant increase in weight (19.86 g) and specific length (17.00 cm) compared to other concentrations.

Q: What is the recommended dose of leaf powder for catfish feed?

A: The recommended dose of leaf powder for catfish feed is 1.5% of the total feed.

Q: How can breeders ensure that fish remain in optimal condition when using leaf powder in their feed?

A: Breeders should apply the right dose of leaf powder and conduct regular monitoring to ensure that fish remain in optimal condition.

Q: What are the potential long-term effects of using leaf powder in catfish feed?

A: Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects of using leaf powder in catfish feed.

Q: How can leaf powder be integrated into cultivation practices?

A: Further research is needed to explore the best way to integrate leaf powder into cultivation practices.

Additional Questions and Answers

Q: Can leaf powder be used in other types of fish feed?

A: Yes, leaf powder can be used in other types of fish feed, but further research is needed to determine the optimal dose and effects.

Q: How does the use of leaf powder affect the environment?

A: The use of leaf powder in fish feed has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of fish farming by reducing the amount of commercial feed used.

Q: Can leaf powder be used in combination with other natural ingredients in fish feed?

A: Yes, leaf powder can be used in combination with other natural ingredients in fish feed, but further research is needed to determine the optimal combination and effects.

Q: How can farmers access leaf powder for use in their fish feed?

A: Leaf powder can be obtained from local suppliers or by cultivating the Coleus amboinicus plant on-farm.

Conclusion

The use of leaf powder of Coleus amboinicus in catfish feed shows promising potential. Further research is needed to explore the benefits and limitations of using leaf powder in fish feed, as well as to develop more efficient and sustainable methods for producing and using these ingredients.

References

[1] [Insert reference 1]
[2] [Insert reference 2]
[3] [Insert reference 3]

Note: The references should be cited in the text and listed at the end of the article.