A PROCESS OF PRODUCING FEED FOR SALINE-TOLERANT TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) FRY AND FINGERLINGS USING LEMONGRASS (Cymbopogon citratus) ESSENTIAL OIL-BASED FEED ADDITIVE

Abstract

The present utility model relates to a process for producing feed for saline-tolerant tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fry and fingerlings using a β-cyclodextrin-encapsulated lemongrass essential oil-based feed additive. The utility model addresses the technical problem of incorporating volatile antimicrobial essential oils into aquaculture feed while maintaining their stability, uniform distribution, and compatibility with conventional feed pellet manufacturing. The process comprises preparing a dry feed mixture, combining the encapsulated feed additive with a binding agent, gradually incorporating the resulting liquid mixture into the dry feed mixture, pelletizing, drying, and storing the feed pellets. The process produces nutritionally balanced feed containing uniformly distributed encapsulated lemongrass essential oil with improved stability and handling characteristics. The disclosed process is particularly useful for producing feed for hatchery and nursery culture of saline-tolerant tilapia fry and fingerlings as a practical alternative to conventional antibiotic-based feed production.