Khejri seed extract (KSE) enhances the growth, digestive, metabolic, and immunological responses of Labeo rohita fingerlings
The onset of diseases, combined with the reliance on therapeutics such as chemicals and antibiotics, as well as the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogen strains, postulates the urgent exploration of alternatives to antibiotics in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems. In respons...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Water |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frwa.2025.1552453/full |
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| Summary: | The onset of diseases, combined with the reliance on therapeutics such as chemicals and antibiotics, as well as the alarming rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogen strains, postulates the urgent exploration of alternatives to antibiotics in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems. In response to this critical need, a sixty-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the dietary effect of khejri seed extract (KSE) on the growth performance and immunological responses of rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings. Following this trial, a fifteen-day challenge study assessed the rohu fingerlings' resistance against Aeromonas hydrophilia. Four experimental diets were supplemented with different levels of khejri seed extract (KSE) viz. 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 g KSE kg−1 of diet and designated as C, KSE0.25, KSE0.50, and KSE0.75, respectively. The supplementation of dietary KSE led to significant improvements in growth performance and protein utilization in rohu fingerlings (P < 0.05). The activity of digestive (except amylase) and metabolic enzymes (except lactate dehydrogenase in muscle) activities varied significantly (P < 0.05). For the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), the observed trend was control > KSE0.25 > KSE0.50 > KSE0.75 in both pre- and post-challenge studies. Total serum protein showed significant variations (P < 0.05) in both pre- and post-challenge studies, with albumin and globulin concentrations being significantly higher in the KSE0.50 group compared to control during the post-challenge phase. Moreover, KSE supplementation significantly enhanced the respiratory burst activity and haematological parameters (except total leukocyte count in the pre-challenge and serum glucose levels in pre- and post-challenge study) of rohu fingerlings (P < 0.05). Following A. hydrophilia challenge, fish mortality significantly decreased with higher dietary KSE levels (P < 0.05), reaching the lowest mortality in the KSE0.50 group. These results suggest that supplementing the diet with 5.0 g kg−1 khejri seed extract can effectively enhance growth, improve feed conversion, boost immunity, and increase survival against A. hydrophila infection in rohu fingerlings. |
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| ISSN: | 2624-9375 |