Dietary inclusion of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) seed to Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in biofloc system: Impacts on growth, immunity, and immune-antioxidant gene expression.

An eight-week feeding trial was carried out to determine the effects of rambutan seed (RS) as a feed additive on the growth, skin mucus, serum immune parameters, and gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised under a biofloc system. Nile tilapia fingerlings (14.77 ± 0.80 g fish-1) were fed five experimental diets containing 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 g kg-1 of RS, corresponding to five treatments (RS0, RS5, RS10, RS20, and RS40) with three replications per treatment. The results showed that fish consuming the RS10 and RS20 diets presented a substantial (P < 0.05) improvement in specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) after eight weeks. The highest values were recorded in the RS10 diet; however, there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences exhibited in the fish survival rates between treatments. The RS supplementation diets demonstrated greater immunological parameters, particularly skin mucus and serum immune responses (P < 0.05), than that of the control after eight the eight-week feeding trial. The highest level was seen in fish fed the RS10; followed by the RS20, RS40 (P > 0.05), and RS5 diets. Regarding gene expressions, IL1, IL8, LBP, GSTa, and GSR genes were significantly up-regulated in fish provided the RS10 diet in comparison to the control and other supplemented diets (P < 0.05). However, no significant up-regulation was found in these genes among the RS0, RS5, RS20, and RS40 diets, with the exception of the GPX gene. Similarly, up-regulation of IL-8, LBP, GSTa, GPX, and GSR were noted in fish fed the RS10 diet (P < 0.05). Notably, no significant differences were evident in these genes among the RS5, RS20, and RS40 diets. In conclusion, fish fed RS10 (10 g kg-1) significantly enhanced growth, skin mucus, serum immunities, and immune-antioxidants related gene expressions of Nile tilapia raised under biofloc system.

Effects of dietary rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) peel powder on growth performance, immune response and immune-related gene expressions of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) raised in biofloc system.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rambutan peel powder (RP) on growth, skin mucosal and serum immunities, and immune-related gene expression of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) reared in a biofloc system. Three hundred fingerlings (17.14 ± 0.12 g fish-1) were randomly selected and assigned to five treatments corresponding to five diets: 0 g kg-1 (control - RP0); 10 g kg-1 (RP10); 20 g kg-1 (RP20); 40 g kg-1 (RP40), and 80 g kg-1 (RP80) for 8 weeks. At weeks 4 and 8 post-feeding, growth, skin mucus, and serum immunity parameters were determined, whereas immune-related gene expressions were performed at the end of the feeding trial. Based on the results, skin mucus lysozyme (SML) and skin mucus peroxidase (SMP) were significantly higher in fish fed the RP diets compared to the control diet (P < 0.05). The highest SML and SMP levels were observed in fish fed RP40 diet, followed by RP20, RP80, RP10, and RP0. Fish-fed RP diets had higher serum lysozyme and serum peroxidase activities, with the highest value found in the RP40 diet (P < 0.05), followed by RP20, RP80, and RP10. Similarly, immune-related gene expressions (IFN2a, IFN2b, and MHCII) in the liver were significantly up-regulated in fish fed RP40. Up-regulation (P < 0.05) of IL-1, IFN2a, IFN2b, and MHCII genes was also observed in fish intestines, with the highest values observed in fish fed RP40 diet, followed by RP10, RP20, RP80, and RP0. Fish-fed diet RP diets also showed enhanced growth and FCR compared to the control, with the highest values observed in fish fed diet RP40. However, no significant differences in survival rates were found among diets. In conclusion, dietary inclusion of RP at 40 g kg-1 resulted in better growth performance, immune response, and immune related gene expressions of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus).

Modulatory effects of longan seed powder on growth performance, immune response, and immune-antioxidant related gene expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) raised under biofloc system.

This study evaluates the effects of longan seed powder (LS) on the growth performance, immunological response, and immune-antioxidant related gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three hundred fish (13.82 ± 0.06 g) were divided into five experiments and fed 5 diets, including the basal diet (control without LS) and basal diet containing 10 (LS10), 20 (LS20), 40 (LS40), and 80 (LS80) g kg-1 LS for eight weeks. A completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications was utilised. The growth performance and immune response were measured at weeks 4 and 8 post feeding, while the gene expressions were determined at the end of the feeding trial. The results revealed that administration of LS could significantly (P < 0.05) improve specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Nile tilapia as compared to the control group. However, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in survival rates among treatments. LS-supplemented diets showed enhanced serum peroxidase activity (SPA), serum lysozyme activity (SLA), skin mucus lysozyme activity (MLA), and skin mucus peroxidase activity (MPA) at weeks 4 and 8 post-feeding, with the highest values observed in the LS20 diet (P < 0.05). Additionally, LS-supplemented diets significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) immune and antioxidant related gene expressions (IL1, IL8, LBP, GSTa, GPX, and GSR) in the liver and intestine, with highest values observed in the LS20 treatment. The present results confirmed the beneficial effects of LS as a functional feed additive and immunostimulant for Nile Tilapia culture in a biofloc system.

Modulation of growth, immune response, and immune-antioxidant related gene expression of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared under biofloc system using mango peel powder.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mango peel powder (MGPP) on growth, innate immunity, and immune-antioxidant related gene expression of Nile tilapia reared under biofloc system. Three hundred Nile tilapia (average weight 14.78 ± 0.05 g) were distributed into 15 fiber tanks (300 L per tank) assigned to five treatments in triplication. Fish were fed basal diet containing different levels MGPP as follows: 0 (MGPP0: control), 6.25 (MGPP 6.25), 12.5 (MGPP 12.25), 25 (MGPP 25), and 50 (MGPP 50) g kg-1 diet for 8 weeks. Specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), skin mucus of lysozyme (SMLA), and peroxidase activities (SMPA), serum of lysozyme (SL) and peroxidase (SP) were measured every for weeks; while immune-antioxidant-related gene expressions were determined after 8 weeks post-feeding. The results indicated that MGPP 25 diet resulted in higher SGR, WG, FW, and FCR but no significant differences among treatments were noticed. In terms of immune responses, lysozyme and peroxidase activities in mucus and serum were significantly higher in MGPP 12.5 and MGPP 25 diets against the control. Similarly, significant up-regulation of IL-1 and IL-8 gene expressions was observed in fish fed MGPP 25 against the control. However, no significant differences in LBP, GSTa, GPX, and GSR among treatments were observed. Overall, dietary inclusion of MGPP 25 significantly enhanced immune response and immune related gene expressions but not growth performance and antioxidant gene expressions. The results implied that MGPP can be potentially used as an immunostimulants in Nile tilapia culture.

Modulation of growth, innate immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture under biofloc system by supplementing pineapple peel powder and Lactobacillus plantarum.

Eight weeks feeding experiment was managed to evaluate the impacts of dietary addition of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) and Lactobacillus plantarum CR1T5 (LP) individual or mixed on growth performance, skin mucus and serum immunities, as well as disease resistance of Nile tilapia. Fish (average weight 20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed four diets: Diet 1 (0 g kg-1 PAPP and 0 CFU g-1 L. plantarum, Diet 2 (10 g kg-1 PAPP), Diet 3 (108 CFU g-1L. plantarum), and Diet 4 (10 g kg-1 PAPP + 108 CFU g-1L. plantarum). Serum and mucus immune responses, as well as growth rate, were assessed every 4 weeks. Ten fish were chosen for the challenge test with Streptococcus agalactiae after 8 weeks post-feeding. The findings showed that PAPP and/or LP diets increased (P ≤ 0.05) growth performance, skin mucus, and serum immune responses. The best data were obtained in fish fed a mixture of PAPP and LP. Nevertheless, no variation (P > 0.05) was recorded between groups fed PAPP or LP. The relative survival percentage (RSP, %) in Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4 was 46.15%, 50.0%, and 73.08%. Fish fed mixture of PAPP + LP recorded the best (P < 0.05) survival rate versus other treatments. The current findings recommended using a mixture of PAPP and LP as promising functional additives for aquaculture practice.

The effect of fishwort (Houttuynia cordata) on skin mucosal, serum immunities, and growth performance of Nile tilapia.

The present study addressed the possible effects of fishwort (Houttuynia cordata) powder (FWP) on Nile tilapia's skin mucus parameter, serum immune response, and growth performance. Three hundred twenty tilapia fingerlings (average weight of 39.06 ± 0.16 g) were divided into four treatments and fed four levels of FWP; 0, 5, 10, and 20 g kg-1 for 72 days. Completed randomised design of the four replications was applied and revealed that fish fed FWP significantly improved skin mucus lysozyme activity (SMLA). The highest value (P < 0.05) was recorded in fish fed 10 g kg-1 FWP. However, no significant difference in SMLA was observed by feeding the fish 5 and 20 g kg-1 FWP. Significant (P < 0.05) enhanced skin mucus peroxidase activity (SMPA) was observed in fish fed 10 g kg-1 FWP, but no significant difference in SMPA was detected between FWP supplemented diets (5 and 20 g kg-1 FWP) and the control group. Regarding serum immunity, dietary administration of FWP showed significantly (P < 0.05) improved serum lysozyme, peroxidase, alternative complement (ACH50), and phagocytosis vs. the control. The highest values of serum immunity (P < 0.05) were recorded in fish fed 10 g kg-1 FWP. However, no significance in respiratory burst activity was observed. Similarly, no significant difference in growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate was observed in fish fed FWP compared to the control. In summary, diets supplemented with FWP (10 g kg-1) increased the serum and mucosal immunity; however, no FWP supplementations had effects on Nile tilapia growth and survival rate.

Effects of orange peels derived pectin on innate immune response, disease resistance and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) cultured under indoor biofloc system.

The present study investigates the effects of orange peels derived pectin (OPDP) on skin mucus and serum immune parameters, disease resistance and growth performance of O. niloticus cultured under indoor biofloc system. Six hundred Nile tilapia (average weight 9.09 ±â€¯0.05 g) were distributed into 15 fiber tanks (300 L per tank) assigned to five treatments repeated in triplicate. Fish were fed experimental diets contain different levels OPDP as follows: 0 (control in clear water), 0 (control in biofloc system), 5, 10, and 20 g kg-1 OPDP for 8 weeks. At weeks 4 and 8 post feeding, skin mucus lysozyme (SMLA), peroxidase activities (SMPA), serum lysozyme (SL), serum peroxidase (SP), alternative complement (ACH50), phagocytosis (PI), and respiratory burst activities (RB) as well specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. Also, resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae was assessed after 8 weeks post-feeding. Nile tilapia fed OPDP supplemented diets had significantly higher SMLA and SMPA compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The maximum values were observed in tilapia fed 10 g kg-1 OPDP followed by 5 and 20 g kg-1 OPDP. Nevertheless, no significant differences were observed between these two supplemented diets and between the control groups (P > 0.05). Regarding the serum immunological parameters, dietary inclusion of 10 g kg-1 OPDP showed significant higher SL and PI than other supplemented groups and control groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed in SL and PI of fish fed 5 and 20 g kg-1 OPDP (P > 0.05). Dietary administration of OPDP significantly increased SP and ACH50 compared to the controls (P < 0.05), regardless of inclusion level. Additionally, non-significant change was found in RB of OPDP fed fish when compared with the controls (P > 0.05). The challenge test revealed that relative percent of survival (RPS) in OPDP treatments were 45.45%, 81.82%, 50%, respectively. The highest RPS was noticed in fish fed 10 g kg-1 OPDP. Furthermore, dietary administration of OPDP significantly improved SGR, WG, FW, and FCR (P < 0.05). Overall, the present findings suggested that OPDP can be taken into account as functional feed additives for O. niloticus.

Combined administration of low molecular weight sodium alginate boosted immunomodulatory, disease resistance and growth enhancing effects of Lactobacillus plantarum in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The present study investigates the effects of combined or singular administration of low molecular weight sodium alginate (LWMSA) and Lactobacillus plantarum on innate immune response, disease resistance and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Three hundred and twenty fish were supplied and randomly stocked in sixteen glass tanks (150 L) assigned to four treatments as follows: 0 g kg-1 LMWSA (Control, Diet 1), 10 g kg-1 LMWSA (Diet 2), 108 CFU g-1L. plantarum (Diet 3), and 10 g kg-1 LMWSA + 108 CFU g-1L. plantarum (Diet 4). Following 30 and 60 days of the feeding trial, serum lysozyme, phagocytosis, respiratory burst and alternative complement activities as well as growth performance parameters (specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio) were measured. Serum lysozyme, phagocytosis, respiratory burst, and alternative complement activities of fish were significantly stimulated by both LMWSA and L. plantarum diets, however, the highest innate immune response were observed in fish fed synbiotic diet. At the end of the experiment, eight fish per replication were randomly selected for a challenge test against Streptococcus agalactiae. The survival rate of the fish fed supplemented diets was significantly greater than the control treatment and the highest post challenge survival rate was observed in synbiotic diet. Furthermore, SGR and FCR were significantly improved in fish fed supplemented diets after 60 days and the highest growth performance was observed in fish fed synbiotic diet. These results suggest combined LMWSA and L. plantarum can be considered as a promising immunostimulant and growth enhancer in Nile tilapia diet.

Sustainable development of feed formulation for farmed tilapia enriched with fermented pig manure to reduce production costs.

Aquaculture is often referred to as "livestock production" with a proper "future-facing" strategy. Fish productivity varies greatly, and feeding is a significant expense for farmers. Despite the increased interest in waste valorization, a biorefinery strategy to reduce feed costs has been developed. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in cement ponds fed with feed formulas containing fermented pig manure in various ratios and to verify the digestibility of Nile tilapia fed with fermented pig dung-based diets. The 120-days experiments were conducted in 20 cement ponds to determine the nutritional content of pig manure collected from a fermented system and the permissible level of digested manure to be utilized as a raw material to formulate alternative tilapia feed. Fermented pig manure (diet) has a high protein content and other nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc. Furthermore, the quantities of phytoplanktons in cement pond water associated with manure diets of 0, 5, 10, and 15% are estimated. The diet with 15% manure produced the most weight gain and yield (75.3 g and 1002.80 g, respectively). The findings of this study emphasize the new technique of feeding fermented pig manure to fish, opening up a wide range of possibilities for achieving a sustainable protein source for aquaculture.