PENGARUH BERBAGAI DOSIS RUMPUT LAUT (Kappaphycus alvarezii) PADA PAKAN GEL TERHADAP KANDUNGAN KOLESTEROL DAN RASIO KONVERSI PAKAN KEPITING BAKAU (Scylla spp)

Abstract

Kappaphycus alvarezii is a type of seaweed that produces carrageenan, namely kappa carrageenan and food fiber, especially water-soluble, which is known to play a role in lowering cholesterol levels and able to increase feed efficiency. This study aims to determine the best dosage of K. alvarezii in gel feed to reduce meat cholesterol content and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in mud crab, Scylla spp. The research was conducted in Pond Village Mabbiring, Sibulue District, Bone Regency, South Sulawesi Province. The test animals used were male mud crabs with an average weight of 153.442 ± 18.006 g which were kept in a crab box with the length, width and height of each 21 x 15 x 8 cm filled with 1 crab per crab box. The total number of crabs used was 120. This study consisted of 4 treatments and 3 replications each, with a dose of K. alvarezii 0 (treatment A), 10 (B), 20 (C) and 30% (D) in gel feed. The parameters measured were the cholesterol content of the meat and FCR and the quality of water as supporting parameters. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that different doses of K. alvarezii in gel feed had an effect on reducing levels of meat cholesterol and FCR in mud crabs. The lowest and highest cholesterol levels were obtained in treatment D and A. While the FCR was more efficient with the increasing dose of K. alvarezii flour. Based on the results of this study, it was concluded that the best dose of K. alvarezii flour in gel feed consumed by mud crabs was 30%.