A STUDY ON THE APPLICATION OF KLUYVEROMYCES MARXIANUS BIOMASS FORMULATIONS AS FISH FEED TO BLACK MOLLIES

Biomass of Kluyveromyces marxianus was used to prepare feed formulations for ornamental fish-black mollies (Poecilia latipinna). The cytotoxicity of the fungal biomass was studied using 3T3 cell lines. Three different formulations of the biomass were used in the feeding trial. Formulation I was prepared as 100% dry cells, formulation II was prepared as 50% dry cells+50%starch and Formulation III was prepared by adding amylase enzyme to the formulation II. Commercially available feed was used as formulation IV. Seven days old mollies were selected for the feeding trial and fed with formulations for 90 days. Average weight increases was noted at regular intervals and the efficiency of the formulations in increasing mean body weight was studied. The results suggest that dried biomass of Kluyveromyces marxianus was efficient in increasing the mean body weight of Black mollies and hence it can be used as an alternative for commercial feed additives.