UNAIR NEWS “ Pony fish(Leiognathediae)is a type of demersal fish (small and clustered) captured by fishermen from the sea, but this fish has not been optimally utilized.All this time it is only processed as salted fish, and its waste is found in coastal areas, unused and it pollutes the environment.
Combining the waste of pony fish with mahogany fruit(Swietenia mahagoni), the team of 51¶¯Âþ students of Off Main Campus Study Program (PSDKU) in Banyuwangi, succeeded in processing it into an alternative typical tropical cat wet feed.The results of this research, beside as a solution of coastal environmental pollution, it is also able to improve the appetite of cats so they become healthier.
The students in the team of PSDKU Banyuwangi are Thearza Tavinia, Dwiky Rachmat Hidayatulloh (both students of Veterinary Medicine) and Ayu Nur Imaniy (Aquaculture).They believe using polluting waste as an alternative feed of these cats will have high economic value.
Their success was then written in a proposal entitled “INTELEK AJIBAH (Potential of Pony Fish(Leiognathus)and Mahoni Beans(Swietenia mahagoni jacq) Combination: As Tropical Cat Wet Feed Solution for Appetite Improvement.” Under the guidance of its lecturer, Ragil Angga Prastiya , drh., M.Sc., the proposal passed the selection and obtained research fund from Kemenristekdikti in PKM program 2018.
Indonesia’s tropical cat is one of the favorite pets.It is quite popular because the it is easy to look after and tend to be more agile, it can be a friend when lonely or playmate.When the dear cat is reluctant to eat, the owner will tend to be anxious and look for a solution.
Described by Thearza Tavinia as the head of PKM-PE Team, pony fish and mahogany fruit (Swietenia mahagoni) is abundant in Indonesia.In the area of ‹‹Banyuwangi, mahogany trees are found in places near the beach and on the side of the road.
“Mahogany is a plant widely used by the community, especially the seeds that have many benefits, such as preventingdiabetes mellitusor improving appetite,” said Thearza Tavinia.
The purpose of his team is to analyze the effect of using pony fish waste with the addition of mahogany seeds in an effort to improve the appetite of tropical cat of Indonesia.It is also conducted to know the efficiency of wet feed in INTELEK AJIBAH compared to commercial feed product.
In a study with four different treatments, first, pony fish without the addition of mahogany seed extract, second, with the addition of 0.25% extract of mahogany seed, third, with the addition of 0.5% extract of mahogany seeds, and fourth, with the addition of 0.75% extract of mahogany seeds, and the fourth treatment showed best results.
“The researchshowswith the addition of more mahogany extract, the alternative feed improve the appetite of Indonesian tropical cats.During the study period (March-June 2018 –ed) andthe catconsumed this innovation feed, both weight and appetite on average continue to increase, “added Thearza.
The team hoped that the feed product of this research can be used as a new breakthrough in the fulfillment of the nutritional needs of Indonesian tropical cat.It can help to overcome the pollution on the coast and reduce dependence on imported feed products.
“In the future, the feed we developed for a typical Indonesian cat will be patented, so the circulation becomes legal as a nutritious and appetite improving feed for Indonesian typical cat,” said this student of Veterinary Medicine in third semester.(*)
Author: Siti Mufaidah.
Editor: Bambang Bes
