Abstract
Simple SummaryHerbal medicine feed supplements are used as growth promoters, immune system stimulants, and to combat stress. We evaluated the effects of garlic powder in the diet of European perch. The inclusion of garlic powder was shown to improve whole body composition, feed digestibility, and biochemical and immunohematological effects, and increased resistance against overcrowding stress.The supplementation of fish diets with phytogenics can increase growth performance and can modulate immune system response. European perch Perca fluviatilis (initial weight 25.0 ± 0.4 g) were fed a diet including 0 (Control), 10 (G10), 20 (G20), and 30 (G30) g kg−1 garlic powder. No significant difference in the growth parameters and somatic indices were observed. Significantly higher fat digestibility was observed in G10 and G30 diets compared to in the control and G20 diets(p < 0.05). Significantly greater red blood cell and white blood cell counts were observed with the G10 diet (p < 0.05). Garlic significantly decreased serum cholesterol in all of the experimental groups. Serum albumin was significantly higher in the G10 and G20 diets (p < 0.05). Immediately after the overcrowding stress challenge, the garlic groups showed significantly higher cortisol levels than the control group, while no significant difference was observed in the glucose concentration among groups. At 1 h post-stress, all of the groups that had been fed a garlic-supplemented diet showed lower cortisol levels than the control group, and this trend was maintained at 6 and 24 h post stress (p < 0.05), and glucose level in all garlic groups was significantly lower than control (p < 0.05). Garlic at 10 g kg−1 in feed can improve apparent fat digestibility and selected blood parameters and can enhance resistance against high-density and net handling stress in Eurasian perch.
Highlights
Commercial production of fish, shellfish, and seafood is projected to increase by approximately 62% by 2030 [1]
Dietary garlic powder has shown a favourable effect on blood total protein, albumin, and phagocytic activity in rainbow trout [17,18]; this plant increased fish resistance to ammonia stress [19]
The condition factor was significantly lower in the G30 diet group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05)
Summary
Commercial production of fish, shellfish, and seafood is projected to increase by approximately 62% by 2030 [1]. Garlic powder has been reported to promote growth in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) [10] and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss [11] and to improve body composition in brown trout (Salmo caspius) [12]. Dietary garlic powder has shown a favourable effect on blood total protein, albumin, and phagocytic activity in rainbow trout [17,18]; this plant increased fish resistance to ammonia stress [19]. Garlic microencapsulated extract improved growth performance, body proximate composition, and biochemical and immunohematological parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) [21]. These studies, regardless of the form of garlic presentation within diets, suggest that garlic may be used as an alternative to antibiotics [22]
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