Abstract
BackgroundProduction, marketability and consumer preference of red tilapia often depends upon the intensity of coloration. Hence, new approaches to develop coloration are now geared to improve market acceptability and profit. This study evaluated the effects of carotenoid-rich diets on the phenotypic coloration, carotenoid level, weight gain and expression of coloration-linked genes in skin, fin and muscle tissues. Carotenoids were extracted from dried Daucus carota peel, Ipomoea aquatica leaves, and Moringa oleifera leaves. Eighty (80) size-14 fish were fed with carotenoid-rich treatments twice a day for 120 days. The phenotypic effect of the carotenoid extracts was measured through a color chart. Skin carotenoid level was measured through UV-vis spectrophotometer. csf1ra, Bcdo2 and StAR expression analysis was done using qRT-PCR.ResultsTreatments with carotenoid extracts yielded higher overall scores on phenotypic coloration and tissue carotenoid levels. Differential expression of carotenoid-linked genes such as the elevated expression in csf1ra and lower expression in Bcdo2b following supplementation of the enhanced diet supports the phenotypic redness and increased carotenoid values in red tilapia fed with D. carota peel and I. aquatica leaves.ConclusionsOverall improvement in the redness of the tilapia was achieved through the supplementation of carotenoid-rich diet derived from readily available plants. Differential expression of coloration-linked genes supports the increase in the intensity of phenotypic coloration and level of carotenoids in the tissues. The study emphasizes the importance of carotenoids in the commercial tilapia industry and highlights the potential of the plant extracts for integration and development of feeds for color enhancement in red tilapia.
Highlights
Production, marketability and consumer preference of red tilapia often depends upon the intensity of coloration
Phenotypic color measurement in the fish Treatments with D. carota extracts yielded higher overall scores on phenotypic coloration than that fed with control feeds (Table 1; values are presented as mean ± standard deviation)
I. aquatica and M. oleifera were observed to have higher carotenoid values in skin, fins and muscles compared to the control, even though the values are slightly lower than D. carota
Summary
Production, marketability and consumer preference of red tilapia often depends upon the intensity of coloration. Judan Cruz et al BMC Veterinary Research (2021) 17:314 marketability is highly influenced by its color, several researches are geared towards improving red tilapia pigmentation to enhance color quality and profit. Significant work has demonstrated that coloration in fishes is highly influenced by the carotenoid level in their diets [9, 11]. Dietary supplementation of carotenoids in aquaculture have been used extensively and feed formulation have been gaining considerable interest especially for fish cultured for human consumption, Nile tilapia, as a result of market demand and preference to colorful fishes [12, 13]. The role of carotenoids in fish health is widely recognized. Carotenoids, are routinely added to the diets for pigmentation, and for their optimal health
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
