Effect of different levels of chitosan dietary supplement on heavy metal accumulation and growth performance in common carp, Cyprinus carpio

Lead Cadmium Chitosan Feed

Authors

  • Mohammed Hassan Mohammed
    mohammed.hasan2204p@covm.uobaghdad.edu.iq
    Public Health Department College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Mohanad Falhi Hamood Public Health Department College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
December 25, 2025

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This study was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of chitosan dietary supplementation on heavy metal accumulation and growth performance of the common carp in the Al-Gharraf River, the main tributary of the Tigris River, which extends from the right bank of the Tigris at Al-Kut Dam to the Hamar Marsh. After chitosan supplementation, 200 fish (90±10 g) were reared in floating cages in the Al-Gharraf River, Al-Rifai region. The fish were divided into four treatments: a control group without chitosan, a 1% chitosan group, a 2% chitosan group, and a 3% chitosan group. The rearing period began in April 2024 and lasted 4 months. The results indicated that chitosan significantly enhanced the deposition of Pb and Cd in the serum and muscle of fish, resulting in lower levels as the chitosan concentration increased. In addition, increasing the chitosan concentration improved fish growth parameters.