Himalayan lapsi, Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) enhances concentration of vitamin C in tissues of rohu (Labeo rohita H) cultured at Chitwan (Nepal)

Himalayan lapsi, Choerospondias axillaris (Roxb.) is native to Nepal and is also reported from south-east Asian countries.1 Its fruits containing vitamin C,2 Phenol and flavonoid compounds3,4 are consumed to enhance the immunity5 and neutralize free radicals formed in the body. Vitamin C is required to form collagen, growth, reproduction, resist diseases and for immunity in many fishes.6 Oxygen present in air, high temperature, enzymes and multivalent cations destroy it. In the manufacturing process and storage of diet Vitamin C supplemented in it is lost.7 Many structural and functional abnormalities result in fishes due to insufficient supply of vitamin C.8 Teleost fishes like rohu lacking GLO enzyme9 needs supply of vitamin C along with the diet.10 Many researches on the effect of vitamin C on growth, its concentration in different tissues and stress overcome in fishes are available.11 But the work on the effect of lapsi extract on growth and its concentration in brain, liver and blood in L. rohita is not available.