Comparative study of proximate analysis of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaves from two different regions in Jabalpur (M.P.)

Abstract

This study investigates the proximate composition of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) leaves collected from two ecologically distinct aquatic habitats in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh: Karonda Nala (Site A), a lotic system with substantial anthropogenic nutrient inputand Adhartal Pond (Site B), a lentic freshwater body with limited external nutrient influence. Triplicate samples were analyzed for moisture, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), carbohydrateand total ash (TA) on a dry matter basis. Statistical analysis revealed a significant elevation (p0.05). The increased CP content at Site A is attributed to nitrogenous enrichment from sewage inflow enhancing protein biosynthesis. These findings support the potential use of nutrient-enriched water hyacinth leaves as a sustainable, high-protein feed ingredient in aquaculture and livestock nutrition.