Turmeric Extract Inducing Growth Biomarker in Sand Goby ( Oxyeleotris marmoratus )

Sand goby (Oxyeleotris marmoratus) is a freshwater fish that important in economics of Thailand, both domestic consumption and export. At present, the yield of sand goby fish comes totally from riparian fisheries because it has not yet been successfully cultured with meal pellet. This study used turmeric (Curcuma longa) extracts added feed in order to induce consumption in sand goby and characterization of digestive enzymes i.e. amylase, lipase, trypsin and chymotrypsin were investigated. Juvenile sand goby were fed with diet containing turmeric extracts at 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0% (w/w). The result showed that all turmeric extract fed fish showed significant higher specific activities of digestive enzymes (P<0.05) and the highest value was in sand goby fish fed with diet containing turmeric extract 3 % (w/w). Therefore it is concluded that turmeric extract is able to induce digestive enzymes in sand goby and it can be indicated that growth rate will be enhanced in follow up. We are the first research for successful rearing sand goby with pellet feed and it might provide critical information for development cultured and artificial feed formulation to enhance consumption and growth in this fish species. Keywords— sand goby, Oxyeleotris marmoratus, turmeric extract, digestive enzyme