Effect of dietary Aloe vera polysaccharides supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical parameters, and survival at low pH in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings

Ndakalimwe Naftal Gabriel,Linda N Iipinge,Kaspar Shimooshili,Habte-Michael Habte-Tsion,Percy Chimwamurombe,Margit R Wilhelm,Edosa Omoregie

doi:10.1007/s40071-019-0219-8

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of dietary Aloe vera polysaccharides on growth performance, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance against low water pH in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings. Fish were divided into five triplicate groups before being fed feeds supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0% A. vera/kg diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed 1.0% A. vera/kg diet had significantly increased (P < 0.05) growth parameters (i.e., final weight, weight gain, absolute growth rate, and specific growth rate) compared to unsupplemented ones. Among dietary groups, significantly lower feed conversion ratio was presented in fish fed 1.0% followed by those fed 0.5, 2.0%, and 4.0% A. vera/kg diet (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fish fed 1.0% A. vera/kg diet compared to unsupplemented fish and those fed 4.0% A. vera/kg diet, respectively. Dietary A. vera polysaccharide crude extracts requirement suitable for growth and feed utilization was estimated to be between 1.76 and 1.79% A. vera/kg diet. Overall, A. vera extracts had improved hemato-biochemical indices when compared to unsupplemented fish, and decreased some of the indices, especially at high dietary inclusion level (4%/kg diet). Furthermore, A. vera-supplemented fish had higher survival probability throughout the low water pH challenge period, except those fed 4% A. vera/kg diet and control diet.

Highlights

Medicinal herbal extracts studies have become popular, but still novel in aquaculture and other farming sectors such as livestock and poultry, among others
Among dietary A. vera groups, fish fed 1.0% had the highest (P \ 0.05) final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), and absolute growth rate (AGR) compared to unsupplemented ones
Notes 1WG = W2 - W1, specific growth rate (SGR) = [ln (W2) - ln (W1)/t)] 9 100, AGR = (W2 - W1/t); 2W1 = initial weight, W2 = final weight, t = experimental period; 3different lower case letters denote a significant difference (P \ 0.05) among dietary groups. 4Values were expressed as mean ± standard error (M ± SE)

Summary

Introduction

Medicinal herbal extracts studies have become popular, but still novel in aquaculture and other farming sectors such as livestock and poultry, among others. The main purpose of these studies is usually to reduce and/or. Habte-Tsion School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, College of Agriculture, Communities, and the Environment, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, KY, USA. Omoregie Department of Natural and Applied Sciences, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia. K. Shimooshili Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre, Sam Nujoma Campus, University of Namibia, Henties Bay, Namibia

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Discussion

Conclusion