Effect of Fortified Feed with Phyto-Extract on the First Physical Barrier (Mucus) of <i>Labeo rohita</i>

oleh: Francesco Fazio, Saira Naz, Syed Sikandar Habib, Mehmood Ahmed Husnain Hashmi, Muhsin Ali, Concetta Saoca, Mujeeb Ullah

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2021-05-01

Deskripsi

The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of two different fortified feeds with different concentrations of two important medicinal plants (<i>Withania coagulans</i> and <i>Zingiber officinale</i>) on the mucosal immunity of <i>Labeo rohita.</i> After a dietary intervention, mucus was tested against five pathogenic bacteria (in-vitro), while experimental fish were tested against the ectoparasite (Lernaea) (in-vivo). Our results revealed that all fish groups fed with different concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2%) of <i>Z. officinale</i> had low molecular weight proteins and did not develop any significant signs of parasitic infection, with low mortality rate; whereas the groups that were fed with <i>W. coagulans</i> (particularly with 1% and 2%), including a control group, developed rapid signs of infection with high mortality rate. The highest hemagglutination titer value was recorded for the fish fed with 1% and 1.5% of <i>Z. officinale</i>. The lowest value was found for the fish fed with 2% of <i>W. coagulans</i>. The mucus of all fish of fortified groups was active and inhibited the growth of tested bacterial pathogens as compared to the control group. Further, <i>Z. officinale</i> groups showed greater efficacy against bacteria as compared to the <i>W. coagulans</i> groups. In conclusion, <i>Z. officinale</i> can be considered as a potential and functional ingredient in aquaculture feed. Furthermore, future studies should be conducted to investigate more details on the subject.