Abstract
This study sought to determine the effect of fermented medicinal herbs (FMH), i.e. cutchery ( Kaempferia galanga), tumeric ( Curcuma longa) and curcuma ( Curcuma xanthorrhiza) in combination with molasses and probiotic drink (Yakult), administered orally on the hematological and physiological profile of striped catfish ( Pangasionodon hypophthalmus). A complete randomized design (CRD) experiment was used with four levels of treatments, namely P0 (control), P1 (FMH 100 ml/kg), P2 (FMH 200 ml/kg) and P3 (FMH 300 ml/kg) of feed. The fish were kept in a farm in cages at 75 fish/m 3 , and fed with the experimental diets for 60 days. The results revealed that FMH (P2) dietary administration improved hematological and physiological profile of catfish, i.e total erythrocytes of 2.81 x 10 6 cells/mm 3, hematocrit values of 39.00 %, hemoglobin levels of 10.73 g/dl, total leukocytes of 11.41 x 10 4 cells/mm 3, blood glucose 97.33 mg/dl, and total serum protein 4.10 mg/dl compared to controls with 1.89 x 10 6 cells/mm 3, 32.33 %, g/dl, 9.67 x 10 4 cells/mm 3, 67.33 mg/dl, and total serum protein of 3.10 mg/dl, respectively. Moreover, the diet improved special growth rate, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency and the survival rate of catfish.
Highlights
Attention in aquaculture in developing countries has focused on the use of nonspecific immunostimulants and plant products, which could have a beneficial effect in fish disease control
fermented medicinal herbs (FMH) diets improved the hematological profile of striped catfish significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the experimental controls
Lee et al 23 evaluated the dietary supplementation of citrus by-products (CB) fermented with probiotic bacteria on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immune responses and disease resistance of juvenile olive flounder
Summary
Attention in aquaculture in developing countries has focused on the use of nonspecific immunostimulants and plant products, which could have a beneficial effect in fish disease control. Interest in medicinal plants for application to aquaculture follows their use in human medicine and agriculture as proven prophylactic and therapeutic agents.[1,2,3] For example, garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale)[4] have histories of dietary and medicinal applications as anti-infective agents. Evidence of their value include inhibition towards pathogens of relevance to aquaculture, including bacteria,[5,6,7] viruses,[8,9,10] and protozoa.[11,12]. Fish, which have received these diets, have been examined for potential improvements to hematology and physiology
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