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This study evaluated the effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum (LAC-P) and powdered Panax ginseng extract (GINS) on the growth, immunity, and survival of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) following a Streptococcus iniae infection. Eight groups were tested: control, LAC-P (1 × 1010 CFU L. plantarum /100 g diet), varying doses of GINS (0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1 %), and combinations of LAC-P with these doses of GINS. All experiments were carried out in three replicates and fish (Mean weight: 25.3 ± 4.2 g) of all treatments fed for 60 days. After this feeding period, a challenge test was also done with Streptococcus iniae over 14 days. The growth performance and digestive enzyme activities (trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase) significantly improved in fish supplemented with LAC-P and LAC-P + GINS (0.1–1 %) (P

Feed quality is among the most determinative criteria for aquaculture success. Along with feed ingredient quality and its production process, feed storage conditions would also affect feed quality, especially in terms of adventitious toxins. Mycotoxins are frequent food and feed contaminants and are considered important health threats to both human and animal health. In this context, the effects of mycotoxins on aquatic animals were reviewed with an emphasis on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), which is obviously reported in aquafeed. Severe tissue damage, increased susceptibility to infectious diseases, compromised immune system function, and increasing unknown death risks are among the most frequent symptoms of aflatoxicosis in aquatic animals. The lowest observable effect level for AFB1 has also been documented for different fish species. Considering the importance of such fungal toxins on the economic viability of aquaculture enterprises, it is recommended that further knowledge be obtained concerning the safe levels of AFB1 in terms of fish health and final product safety to human consumers.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of dietary nutmeg (Myristica fragrans (MF)) on growth, innate immunity parameters of serum and mucus, antioxidant defence, and expression of immune genes in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Three hundred fish (3.79 ± 0.02 g) in four groups were distributed in twelve glass aquariums with a capacity of 150-L. The groups were T1 or control (0% MF), T2 (0.5% MF), T3 (1% MF), and T4 (2% MF), and the fish were sampled after 42 days. According to the results, diet supplementation showed significantly higher weight gain (WG) and lower food conversion ratio (FCR). Final weight (FW) increased in groups fed 1% and 2% MF and specific growth rate (SGR) improved in those provided 1% MF (P

Herbal additives and vitamins have gained considerable attention to improve fish health. This study investigates the effects of vitamin C (VC), Thymus vulgaris L. essential oil (TE), and quercetin (QR) supplementation on growth performance, digestive enzyme, body composition, and biochemical parameters of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Four hundred and twenty fish weighing 20.46 ± 0.07 g were randomly divided into seven experimental treatments in triplicates. Experimental diets were containing as T1 (0, control), T2 (500 mg/kg VC), T3 (1000 mg/kg VC), T4 (1% TE), T5 (2% TE), T6 (200 mg/kg QR), and T7 (800 mg/kg QR). Fish were fed 3% of body weight daily for 60 days. According to the results, the groups fed with experimental diets showed the higher final weight, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and survival rate (SR) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group (p .05). All the supplemented groups were found to have significantly lower creatinine (CRT), glucose (GLU), and urea (UR) and higher globulin (GLO) content compare to the control (p .05). Besides, significant enhancements were observed in cases of intestine protease, amylase, and lipase enzymes in all the supplemented groups compared to the control (p

Although several investigations have demonstrated the beneficial effects of chrysin (CH), there is limited information on its supportive effects on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) physiology. In this work, fish were fed with pellets containing 0, (CH0) 100 (CH100), 300 (CH300), 500 (CH500) and 700 (CH700) mg/kg chrysin for 56 days, then the specimens weighed and were exposed to 14-day crowding stress. Innate immune responses, antioxidant capacity, hematology indices, and biochemical parameters were tested before and after crowding stress. The final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and specific growth rate (SGR) increased, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased in the groups fed diets containing CH300-CH700 compared to control group. Also, the optimum dose for maximum and minimum SGR and FCR were obtained at 470 and 490 mg CH (P < 0.05), according to the polynomial regression test, respectively. There was an interaction between dietary CH and crowding stress on immune responses, antioxidant defense, hematological and serum biochemical parameters. Before stress, serum and mucus immune responses [lysozyme and alternative complement (ACH50) activity, and total immunoglobulin (Ig)] were increased in CH300 group (P < 0.05). After stress, immunological activities were improved by diets supplemented with 300–700 mg/kg of chrysin. Before stress, red blood cell (RBC) count, percentage of hematocrit (HCT), blood leukocyte (WBC) count, and monocyte (MON) count clearly increased in the CH300 group (P < 0.05). After stress, hematological parameters were enhanced in the CH-treated fish compared to the control. The lowest serum biochemical parameters (liver enzymes, and glucose) values were noticed in CH500 treatment before stress, except for cortisol. After stress, serum biochemical parameters in response to all dietary treatments significantly decreased, except for aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.05). Before stress, antioxidant enzymes activities significantly improved in fish fed with diets containing 300 and 500 mg of CH (P < 0.05). After stress, administration of 300–700 mg CH remarkably boosted antioxidant enzymes activities (P < 0.05). MDA value decreased in response to diets containing 300–700 mg CH, before and after stress. In summary, CH300 and CH500 diets more effectively boosted growth performance and reduced the harmful effects of crowding on health status of the rainbow trout.

Application of dietary feed additives is an excellent approach to improve fish health status under different stressful condition. The current study investigated the roles of different level of dietary gallic acid (GA) on growth performances, biochemical indices, digestive enzymes activity, antioxidant status and immunological responses in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) subjected to crowding stress. Fish were fed with the control diet (0 mg/kg GA) and four graded levels of GA (150, 300, 450 and 600 mg/kg) for 60 days each with three replicates. Moreover, fish were challenged with crowding stress for six hours. The results revealed significant improvement in growth performances, immune indices in common carp fed with dietary GA in comparison to the control diet. The study also demonstrated significant improvement feed utility through enhanced activities of digestive enzymes (amylase, lipase and protease) by dietary GA provision. Moreover, dietary GA noticeably enhanced the antioxidant status of common carp by improving superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and lowering malondiadehyde specially after exposure to crowding stress. Considering these results, the current study reveals that dietary GA at the concentration of 450 mg/kg can successfully improve growth performances, biochemical indices, digestive enzymes activity, antioxidant status and immunological responses in common carp.

The utilization of algae in aquaculture is environmentally friendly, safe, and cost-effective and can effectively substitute for fish meal and fish oil in aquatic feeds. Incorporating algae as dietary supplements leads to significant enhancements in aquatic animals’ health and also improves the aquatic ecosystem. Algae are rich sources of nutrients and serve as the foundational food source in the aquatic food chain. Currently, 40 different algae species are employed in aquaculture. Furthermore, algae contributes to elevating the overall quality of aquatic feed products. Aquaculture stands as the most vital food production sector globally; however, challenges such as infection outbreaks and aquatic environmental pollution pose significant threats to the sustainable growth of this industry. An alternative strategy for mitigating environmental issues and improving aquatic production involves the utilization of algae. The novelty in the applications of algae in aquaculture stems from their multifaceted roles and benefits, such as their capacity to improve water quality, serve as nutrient-rich feed supplements, and enhance the overall health and productivity of aquatic species. These versatile applications of algae represent a fresh and innovative approach to sustainable aquaculture practices. This review furnishes insights into the use of algae, algae extracts, or components derived from algae to enhance water quality. Additionally, it covers the utilization of algae-based feed supplements, boosting of the immune system, enhanced growth performance, and disease resistance in aquatic animals.

The current research investigated the effects of pot marigold (Calendula officinalis) powder on growth, biochemical parameters, digestive enzymes, serum and mucus immune responses, antioxidant defense, and resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) against Yersinia ruckeri. Fish (No. 450, 15.06±0.11 g; mean±SE) were randomly distributed to five groups fed with a diet containing 0 (control group), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% of pot marigold powder (MP) for 60 days. Then, fish were challenged with Y. ruckeri infection. Specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), mucus lysozyme (LYZ), mucus protease, serum nitroblue tetrazolium test (NBT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) values in the 1%, 1.5%, and 2% MP groups significantly increased (P

The current study is designed to assay the efficacy of chlorogenic acid (ChA) in the diet on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, serum immunological, biochemical, and antioxidant variables, and mucosal immune response as well as disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles. Rainbow trout juveniles received diets supplemented with different inclusion levels of ChA (0 (ctrl), 200 (CA1), 400 (CA2), 600 (CA3), and 800 (CA4) mg kg−1 diet) for 60 days. According to the findings, fish from CA3 and CA4 groups demonstrated the best results considering the final weight (FW) and weight gain (WG) (P

This study was carried out to evaluate combined and singular effects of ethanolic extract of Persian shallot (Allium hirtifolium Boiss) and synbiotic Biomin®IMBO on growth performance, innate immune responses, and antioxidant defense in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Fish with initial weight of 151.90 ± 0.31 mg were allocated in 21 10-L glass aquariums. The experimental groups were as follows: T1, control (without any supplementation); T2, 1% synbiotic; T3, 3% synbiotic; T4, 1% Persian shallot (as a medical plant); T5, 3% Persian shallot; T6, 1% Persian shallot and 1% synbiotic; T7, 3% Persian shallot and 3% synbiotic. At the end of the experiment (60 days), all treatments significantly showed higher final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), WG (%), and specific growth rate (SGR) compared with the fish fed on control diet. Furthermore, both synbiotic Biomin®IMBO and Persian shallot significantly improved intestine immune parameters including lysozyme, alternative complement hemolytic activity (ACH50), total immunoglobulin (total Ig), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) of zebrafish compared to fish fed on control diet (p < 0.05). Also, in all experimental groups, hepatic catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) activities significantly increased compared to the control group. Whereas, the highest MDA level was observed in the control group compared to the treatments (p < 0.05). Moreover, skin mucus immune parameters of zebrafish have been noticeably improved with synbiotic Biomin®IMBO and Persian shallot compared to fish fed on the control diet (p < 0.05). The results indicate that synbiotic or Persian shallot supplemented diet could enhance the general health status of the zebrafish.

Pectins are a group of carbohydrates found in structural parts of terrestrial plants with wide industrial and biomedical applications. This study was designed to investigate the dietary effects of apple pomace-derived pectin (APDP) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four formulated diets were provided with different inclusion levels of APDP for 30 days: 0, 5, 10, and 20 g kg−1; referred to as control, P1, P2, and P3, respectively. In this study, 300 fish (3.56 ± 0.007 g) were randomly distributed into twelve fiberglass tanks and fed 3% of their respective body weight four times a day. At the end of the experiment, growth parameters, including weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly improved in P1 and P2 treatments compared to those of the other treatments. Results from proximate composition analysis showed that protein content increased, and lipid decreased in the P2 and P3 groups. Serum lysozyme, complement activity, total immunoglobulin levels, and total protein were significantly enhanced in all treatments compared to those of the control group. Gene expression results showed no significant difference in regulation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β); however, up-regulation of lysozyme, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was observed in both P1 and P2. Unlike lipase, the activity of protease and amylase significantly increased in fish receiving different levels of APDP compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present findings suggest APDA as a promising feed additive for rainbow trout.