Efficacy of Okra Leaf [Abelmoschus esculentus L.] Extract for Removal of Egg Adhesiveness During Artificial Propagation of African Catfish [Clarias gariepinus, Burchel 1822]

This study evaluated the most effective immersion duration and concentration of okra leaf extract for removing the adhesive properties of Clarias gariepinus eggs. For the breeding experiment, a male and a female C. gariepinus broodstock, weighing 1.3 kg and 1.4 kg respectively, were used. The okra leaf extract was tested at three different concentrations: 1%, 3%, and 5%. Tannic acid at a concentration of 0.75 g per liter of water served as the reference de-adhesion agent, while plain water (without tannic acid or plant extract) was used as the control. The fish eggs were rinsed with the solutions for one, three, and five minutes. Each concentration and rinsing time were recorded in triplicate. The generated data was subjected to an Analysis of Variance Test, followed by a third order polynomial regression analysis to determine the best concentration and immersion period for removing C. gariepinus egg adhesiveness. The results of the study showed that the use of okra leaf extract at 1% lowest concentration and 1 minute immersion period was not significantly different (p>0.05) from the use of tannic acid solution. Therefore, this study found that okra leaf extract at 1% concentration with a one-minute immersion period can effectively remove egg adhesiveness and increase hatching in C. gariepinus.