EFFECT OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTATION OF Melissa Officinalis and Aloe Vera ON HEMATOLOGICAL TRAITS, LIPID OXIDATION OF CARCASS AND PERFORMANCE IN RAINBOW TROUT (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)

This was conducted investigate the effect of feeding lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and Aloe (Aloe vera) on growth performance, hematological parameters and oxidative stability of rainbow trout. 360 uniform rainbow trout (20.87±0.25 g) were divided into 3 groups, and fed standard diets supplemented with ground lemon balm (2%, L group) or supplemented with Aloe (1%, A group) and without supplementation (Control, C group). Growth performance and body composition were not influenced by plant supplementation. Survival rate of fish was promoted in diets supplemented with herbs, significantly (P<0.05). A significant enhancement (higher value) of WBC and Hct was found in supplementation compared with control (P<0.05). However, any significant differences (P>0.05) were not observed in RBC and Hb in treatments (P>0.05). Results of thiobarbituric acid value (TBA) showed that lemon balm and Aloe herbs could be protective against lipid peroxidation in fish meat during chilling storage (4°C, 7 days).