Effects of dietary Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) supplementation on immune response, antioxidant status, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Combined Dietary Effects of Tenebrio molitor Meal and Probiotics on Growth Performance, Immune Response, and Pathogen Resistance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The prospective utilization of insects as alternative protein sources to replace fishmeal (FM) in aquafeed has prompted increased interest. This study evaluated the effects of yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor (TML)‐based diet supplemented with 2% mixed probiotics on growth performance and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Six experimental diets were formulated. The control group (CTRL) received commercial feed containing 30% FM. In the experimental groups (T25P+, T50P+, and T100P+), FM was replaced with TML at inclusion rates of 25%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. The T50P– group was identical to the T50P+ group but lacked probiotics, whereas the CTRLP+ group received the control diet (without TML) supplemented with 2% probiotics. Juvenile tilapia weighing 12.81 ± 1.37 g were fed the respective diets for 8 weeks. By the end of the feeding trial, fish receiving the T50P+ diet exhibited superior overall performance, characterized by a significantly higher weight gain (WG; 91%) and survival rate (98%) compared with the CTRL (p < 0.05). This group also demonstrated markedly enhanced digestive enzyme activities, including protease (30.5–34.7 U/mg), lipase (18.2–22.6 U/mg), and amylase (20.8–23.5 U/mg), alongside elevated lysozyme activity, improved antioxidant capacity, and stronger bactericidal activity. Although the T100P+ diet led to improvements in several parameters relative to the control, its overall performance remained inferior to that of the T50P+ group, indicating that partial replacement of FM was more effective than complete substitution. Furthermore, fish fed the T50P+ diet displayed enhanced fillet quality, evidenced by higher crude protein (CP) content (59.63%) and a moderate lipid level (29.73%). Following challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, the T50P+ group showed a substantially reduced mortality rate (20%) compared with the CTRL (80%), confirming a pronounced improvement in disease resistance. Overall, the results suggest that replacing 50% of FM with TML in combination with probiotics enhances growth, nutrient utilization, immune function, and pathogen resistance in Nile tilapia. This TML–probiotic formulation represents a promising, sustainable, and effective alternative to conventional aquafeeds.

Effects of Dietary Curcumin Supplementation Under High-Level Fishmeal Replacement with Clostridium autoethanogenum Protein in Penaeus vannamei: Growth Performance, Immunity, Intestinal Health, and Transcriptome Responses

Simple Summary Fishmeal is an important but costly and limited protein ingredient in shrimp feed. Clostridium autoethanogenum protein is a promising alternative, yet high-level inclusion levels may adversely affect shrimp growth and health. This study evaluated whether dietary curcumin supplementation in Penaeus vannamei fed a diet in which 50% of the fishmeal was replaced with CAP. Three experimental groups were designed in this study: a fishmeal control, a high-CAP diet, and the same high-CAP diet supplemented with curcumin. After eight weeks, shrimp fed the high-CAP diet showed reduced growth, adverse histological changes in the intestine and hepatopancreas, lower nonspecific immune enzyme activities, and alterations in intestinal microbial community composition. Compared with the high-CAP group, curcumin supplementation was associated with improvements in growth performance, tissue morphology, immune enzyme activities, and intestinal microbial profiles. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that identified changes were associated with metabolic and immune-related biological processes. Because a fishmeal-based diet supplemented with curcumin was not included, these findings should be interpreted specifically under high-CAP dietary conditions. Overall, the results support the potential application of curcumin as a functional feed additive in CAP-based, low-fishmeal diets for shrimp.

Effects of dietary algae-derived glucan with optimized feeding intervals on growth, inflammatory response, intestinal microbiota, and resistance of Micropterus salmoides to LMBV infection

Evaluating functional effects of dietary phytogenic product supplementation in Nile Tilapia through performance, immunity, gene expression, and resistance to Flavobacterium oreochromis.

OBJECTIVE Phytogenics, which are plant-derived compounds, are increasingly gaining importance in aquaculture as sustainable and natural feed additives that support the performance and health of cultured fish. The current study evaluated the effects of dietary phytogenic supplementation in Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and the influence of phytogenics on growth, immunity, and resistance against Flavobacterium oreochromis. METHODS Fish were fed six experimental diets, including a control diet and five commercial phytogenic treatments-Syrena Boost (SY), Actifor Pro, Actifor Power (APO), Enviro QS, and Fresta Protect-for 60 d in a -recirculating aquaculture system. These products included bioactive compounds, such as saponins, thymol, essential oils, and condensed tannins. At the end of the trial, fish were sampled and blood was collected for serum lysozyme and biochemistry analyses, while spleen and head kidney were collected for immune gene expression analysis. After sampling, fish were challenged with F. oreochromis to evaluate resistance. RESULTS No significant differences in growth performance or nutrient utilization were observed among dietary treatments compared with the control. However, fish that were fed with phytogenic diets exhibited enhanced innate immune responses, as indicated by increased serum lysozyme activity in the APO treatment group (mean ± SE = 17.8 ± 0.76 μg/mL) and elevated serum albumin in the SY and Actifor Pro treatment groups. Although no significant differences were found in the expression of immune-related genes (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), multivariate analysis revealed tissue-specific and diet-dependent immune patterns. During the bacterial challenge with F. oreochromis, all phytogenic treatments resulted in a significantly higher survival compared with the control group, with fish in the SY (∼58%) and APO (∼51%) treatment groups showing the lowest cumulative mortality. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that phytogenic compounds could enhance resistance to F. oreochromis in Nile Tilapia through modulating the innate immune response. Overall, among the five commercial phytogenics evaluated in this study, SY and APO showed the most potential as functional feed additives to improve Nile Tilapia immunity and resistance to columnaris disease.

Growth, Digestive Enzyme Activities, Antioxidant Properties, and Intestinal Histology of Nile Tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) Fed Diets Supplemented With Garlic Nanoparticles

This work may be the first of its kind to assess the effects of varying inclusion levels of garlic nanoparticles (NPsG) as feed additives on growth and physiological indices in Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ). Garlic contains an organosulfur compound called allicin that can promote growth and strengthen the immune system by stimulating appetite and the intestinal flora, thus enhancing energy utilization. Nanotechnology provides new tools in aquaculture nutrition, including increasing the ability of fish to absorb nutrients rapidly and the effectiveness of feed additives by enhancing their bioavailability compared to their bulk form. Five concentrations of NPsG (0, 150, 300, 600, or 1200 mg/kg) were evaluated by their addition to a basal diet (30% crude protein). 225 juveniles with an initial weight of 3.92 g ± 0.42 (SE) were randomly divided into 15 cages of polyethylene. The cage had dimensions of length: width: height (100:40:60 cm) and was continuously aerated using a 2 HP air blower with air stones. After 42 days, feeding results revealed that NPsG supplementation had significant effects ( p  < 0.05) on improving the performance, physiological indicators, and histomorphometry of the intestine in comparison with the control. Fish that were fed a dietary supplement of 600 mg/kg of NPsG exhibited the highest specific growth rate (2.80%/day), along with elevated levels of intestinal enzymes lipase, amylase, and proteases (212.40, 15.00, and 318.60 U/g of intestine, respectively) and the lowest malondialdehyde level (81 nmol/g of liver tissue). This group was followed by fish fed a diet of 300 mg/kg of NPsG, which did not significantly differ from those fed 600 mg/kg of NPsG in superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, and histomorphometry of intestine villi. Finally, the complete dose–response recommendation (benefit at 300–600 mg/kg and detriment at 1200).

Effects of tamarind pulp powder supplementation on growth performance, haemato-immunological parameters, and immune-related gene expression in pacific white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Background: Application of dietary phytobiotics against bacterial pathogens in shrimp farming is considered a promising alternative to antibiotics. Aims: The present study investigated the impact of tamarind pulp-powder (TPP) supplemented diets on growth, survival, immune responses, resistance to Vibrio harveyi, and immune gene expression in Litopenaeus vannamei. Methods: A 49-day feeding trial was conducted using L. vannamei (mean weight 5.60±0.45 g) fed with TPP-supplemented diets containing 0 (T0), 1 (T1), 5 (T2), and 10 (T3) g/kg diets at 3% body weight. Growth performance viz., net weight gain (NWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded on weekly basis and immune responses viz., serum protein (SP), Prophenoloxidase (PPO), and lysozyme (LZ) activities were analyzed at the end. A challenged test conducted for 96 h with V. harveyi (1×105 CFU/ml) to assess mortality. After the challenge test, enzymatic activities and immune genes viz., toll-like receptor and lysozyme were analyzed. Results: Shrimp fed with the T2 diet (5 g/kg TPP) showed significantly (P< 0.05) higher NWG, improved FCR, and survival compared to other groups. Total hemocyte count, SP, PPO, and LZ activities were significantly higher in T2 shrimp. Reduced levels of enzymatic activities and upregulated expression of immune-related genes were also observed in T2. During the challenge, T2-fed shrimp achieved the highest survival rate (86%), confirming enhanced resistance to V. harveyi. Conclusion: A dietary inclusion level of 5 g/kg TPP was found optimal for improving growth, immunity, and resistance against vibriosis in L. vannamei, highlighting its potential as a phytobiotic alternative to antibiotics in shrimp aquaculture.