IMPACT OF PROTEIN AND PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTATION ON IMMUNITY AND SURVIVAL OF Clarias gariepinus UNDER PATHOGEN CHALLENGE IN AQUACULTURE

The increasing shift towards plant-based protein sources in aquafeeds has necessitated optimizing nutrient retention and feed utilization efficiency to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices. This study evaluated the effects of lysine and methionine supplementation on protein deposition, feed efficiency, and nitrogen waste reduction in Clarias gariepinus. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used to assign 525 juvenile fish to six dietary treatments containing graded levels of lysine and methionine, with each treatment replicated three times. Fish were fed at 5% of their body weight thrice daily for eight weeks, after which growth performance, nutrient retention efficiency, and nitrogen waste excretion were analyzed. The results revealed that fish fed the highest lysine and methionine supplementation (1.00 g/kg each) exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) final weight (11.58 g), weight gain (5.27 g), and specific growth rate (0.29%/day) compared to the unsupplemented control (GL0: final weight = 4.67 g, weight gain = 1.27 g, SGR = 0.17%/day). Feed utilization was significantly enhanced, as indicated by an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR: 4.02) and protein efficiency ratio (PER: 0.74) in supplemented groups compared to the control (FCR: 7.28, PER: 0.54). Additionally, nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) improved from 45.2% in GL0 to 74.5% in GL4, while total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration decreased from 4.5 mg/L to 1.9 mg/L, reflecting better nitrogen metabolism and reduced environmental nitrogen loading. These findings demonstrate that lysine and methionine supplementation in plant-based diets significantly enhances nutrient retention, protein deposition, and feed efficiency while mitigating nitrogen waste accumulation. This study underscores the potential of amino acid supplementation in formulating sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly aquafeeds. Future research should explore long-term impacts on fish health, immune function, and environmental nitrogen dynamics in intensive aquaculture systems.

The increasing shift towards plant-based protein sources in aquafeeds has necessitated optimizing nutrient retention and feed utilization efficiency to ensure sustainable aquaculture practices. This study evaluated the effects of lysine and methionine supplementation on protein deposition, feed efficiency, and nitrogen waste reduction in Clarias gariepinus. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used to assign 525 juvenile fish to six dietary treatments containing graded levels of lysine and methionine, with each treatment replicated three times. Fish were fed at 5% of their body weight thrice daily for eight weeks, after which growth performance, nutrient retention efficiency, and nitrogen waste excretion were analyzed. The results revealed that fish fed the highest lysine and methionine supplementation (1.00 g/kg each) exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) final weight (11.58 g), weight gain (5.27 g), and specific growth rate (0.29%/day) compared to the unsupplemented control (GL0: final weight = 4.67 g, weight gain = 1.27 g, SGR = 0.17%/day). Feed utilization was significantly enhanced, as indicated by an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR: 4.02) and protein efficiency ratio (PER: 0.74) in supplemented groups compared to the control (FCR: 7.28, PER: 0.54). Additionally, nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) improved from 45.2% in GL0 to 74.5% in GL4, while total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration decreased from 4.5 mg/L to 1.9 mg/L, reflecting better nitrogen metabolism and reduced environmental nitrogen loading. These findings demonstrate that lysine and methionine supplementation in plant-based diets significantly enhances nutrient retention, protein deposition, and feed efficiency while mitigating nitrogen waste accumulation. This study underscores the potential of amino acid supplementation in formulating sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly aquafeeds. Future research should explore long-term impacts on fish health, immune function, and environmental nitrogen dynamics in intensive aquaculture systems.

Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) is one of the aquaculture commodities with high economic value. Its fast growth rate and broad environmental tolerance make it widely cultivated. This study aimed to analyze the growth performance of catfish (C. gariepinus) fry by using hatchery waste egg flour as a protein source in feed. The research employed an experimental method using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of five treatments with three replications. Observed parameters included absolute weight, absolute length, specific growth rate (SGR), feed utilization efficiency (FUE), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate (SR). The results showed that adding hatchery waste egg flour had a substantial influence on absolute weight, SGR, FUE, and FCR, but not on absolute length or SR. The best treatment was the 50% substitution of fishmeal with hatchery waste egg flour, which resulted in an increase in absolute weight by 3.69 g, absolute length by 2.90 cm, SGR by 1.91%, and FUE by 59.30%. These findings indicate that hatchery waste egg flour can be used as an alternative protein source in feed for catfish fry.

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of creep feeding and its enrichment with probiotics and milk powder on the growth performance and efficiency of feed utilization in pre-weaning piglets. For the study, 28 piglets of uniform size and body weight were selected from four litters of Hampshire sows of similar parity and allocated to 4 different dietary groups: T0 (fed conventional creep feed alone, control), T1 (fed 5% milk powder supplemented creep feed), T2 (fed probiotics supplemented creep feed added at 1g per kg creep feed) and T3 (fed creep feed supplemented with 5% milk powder + probiotics at 1g per kg creep feed). The experimental protocol was followed upto weaning age. Body weights at 8th week of age was found to be significantly (P<0.01) higher in the treatment groups as compared to the control group. Piglets getting combined supplementation of milk powder and probiotics (T3) had highest (P<0.01) feed consumption with better feed gain ratio followed by T2, T1 and T0 groups. It was concluded that supplementation of probiotics and milk powder in the creep ration of suckling piglets resulted in a positive impact on their growth performance with an efficient feed utilization.

Two hundred and forty (n=240), day-old broiler chicks of strain ‘cobb400’ were divided equally into 3 groups of 80 chicks each in group to observe the effect of probiotics (Protexin) supplementation on growth performance and economics of feeding in broilers. Different dietary treatments were T1–basal diet without probiotics supplementation (control), T2–T1 + probiotics supplementation (50 g/ton of feed) and T3– T1 + probiotics supplementation (100 g/ton of feed). Average daily body weight gain (BWG) was significantly higher (P≤0.01) in T3 compared to T2 and T1 (41.63 ± 0.25 g vs 39.48 ± 0.15, 39.99 ± 0.10). Feed intake during starter, finisher and overall study period remained statistically (P≥0.05) at par. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P≤0.01) improved with probiotics supplementation @100 g/ton of feed compared to control. Dressing percentage and organ weights (% Body Weight) remained statistically (P≥0.05) similar. Mortality (%) was lower for group T3 (1.25) compared to T2 (3.75) and T1 (5.00) but differences were non-significant (P≥0.05). The return over feed cost was significantly (P≤0.01) higher in T2 (30.99) compared to T1 ( 27.82) and control ( 26.45). The profit per bird over control in group T2 and T3 was 1.37 and 4.54, respectively. Thus, the dietary supplementation of probiotics at 100 g/ton of feed significantly enhanced body weight gain along with better feed conversion ratio and profit without any adverse effect on feed intake, mortality and carcass characteristics.

HighlightsLitopenaeus vannamei has been established as alternative to Penaeus monodon to shrimp farming in several countries.Increased importance of in situ microorganisms both in regulating biogeochemical cycles within the culture environment and in directly affecting shrimp growth and survival.To improve water quality in aquaculture is the application of probiotics and/or enzymes to ponds. AbstractIntensive shrimp farming has raised environmental issues due to aquaculture pollution, which is caused by uneaten feed, feces, organic matter, and toxic compounds (ammonia and H2S). One way to solve this issue is by using probiotics. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the effect of probiotic administration (Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp.) at varying concentrations on total organic matter in the rearing water, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, and growth rate of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). This study used a Completely Randomized Design consisting of four treatments: T0 (without the probiotic supplementations), T1 (probiotics at 106 CFU/ml), T2 (probiotics at 107 CFU/mL), T3 (probiotics at 108 CFU/mL) with three replicates each. The results showed that the administration of probiotics at different concentrations had a significant effect on the total amount of organic matter, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, and specific growth rate of white shrimp. Administration of probiotics at a concentration of 107 CFU/ ml had the lowest organic matter in the rearing water, 138 mg /Lt. While probiotic administration at 108 CFU/ ml gave the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.22), the highest feed efficiency (81.57%) and the best growth rate (2.25%/day). This research suggests that the administration of 107-108 CFU/ ml probiotics could be applied to reduce organic content in the rearing water and improve the growth performances of white shrimp.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation on the performance, small Intestinal morphometry, and carcass traits of broiler chicken. A 160 one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicken was used and arranged as a completely randomized design of 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 10 chicken each. Supplementation was through drinking water along the experiment (28 d): P0=control, P1= prebiotic inulin, P2= commercial probiotic and P3= synbiotic mix prebiotic + probiotic and used according to the dosage of prebiotic and probiotic. One brand of commercial feed was provided, and consisted of three rearing phases was used throughout the study, and as such drinking water was provided unlimited. The parameters measured are daily feed, water intakes and weight gain. The digestibility, Gross morphometric indices of small intestine are measures of the length/weight ratio of individual segment, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and carcass traits were measured at the end day of the experiment on 3 chicken samples (lightest, average, and heaviest) of each treatment unit. The research parameters, namely feed and water intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, performance index, digestibility on crude protein intake, crude protein in feces, crude fiber in feces, crude protein and crude fiber, small intestine morphometry the length/weight ratio of individual segment, duodenum, jejunum and ileum and carcass traits are indicated as carcass percentage and carcass density. The effects of prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic supplementations on parameters feed and water intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, performance index, digestibility, small intestine morphometry and Carcass traits were significantly affected on synbiotic supplementation compared to prebiotic, probiotic and control. The responses of body weight gain and feed conversion ratio are also indicated as the Performance Index of the supplementation synbiotic, and the synbiotic chicken group appeared a better improve performance compared to the other groups. In conclusion, synbiotic supplementation showed a better beneficial synergistic supplementation compared with those of prebiotic or probiotic supplementation separately on production performance, feed utilization efficiency, carcass traits and index performance of broiler chicken and synbiotic can significantly reduce feed use as assessed by feed conversion. Keywords: Broiler chicken, natural growth promotors supplementation, performance index, small intestinal morphometry, carcass traits.

A factorial experiment (3×2) was conducted to investigate the influence of feeding diets containing three crude fiber levels (12.52, 14.51 and 16.51%) with or without (0.0 or 0.03%) a probiotic supplementation on performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass traits and blood constituents of growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits. A total of 72, six-week-old NZW rabbits were individually weighed, randomly divided into 6 equal experimental groups, each with four equal replications, and kept at battery cages in a naturally-ventilated house. All groups of rabbits were reared under similar hygienic and managerial conditions. Six experimental diets were formulated and used during the experimental period from 6 to 12 weeks of age. Performance were evaluated in terms of live body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, efficiency of energy utilization and performance index. Digestibility of nutrients [dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE)], carcass traits (relative weights of carcass, total edible parts and abdominal fat) lengths stomach, caecum and small and large intestines, and some blood plasma constituents (glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin and globulin) were also determined. The results obtained can be summarized as follows: Growth performance, carcass traits and lengths of alimentary tract segments, blood constituents were not significantly affected by dietary crude fiber level or probiotic supplementation. Increasing dietary crude fiber level from 12.5% to 14.5 or 16.5% decreased the digestibility of DM, OM and NFE but significantly improved CF digestibility for 12-week-old NZW rabbits, while the digestibility of CP and EE was not affected. Dietary supplementation with probiotic had no significant effect on the digestibility of nutrients, with the exception of a significant improvement in CP digestibility compared with that of the control rabbits. The interactions between dietary fiber level and probiotic supplementation were not significant for all criteria examined in the present study. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the optimal level of dietary crude fiber for fattening rabbits to achieve maximal growth rate and best efficiency of feed utilization is 12.5%.

The present study was conducted at the Fish Hatchery Saft Khalid, Behera Governorate, Egypt, for two months in order to investigate the effect of stocking density and probiotic (Ecobiol Aqua) dietary supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate and whole body chemical composition of postlarvae of the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) of an initial weight 0.161g. reared in indoor nursery concrete tanks. A total number of 1350 postlarvae freshwater prawns were divided randomly into 18 concrete tanks (1 m 2 area each) to represent three stocking densities (50; 75 and 100 PL/m 2 ) with or without probiotic supplementation in three replicates each treatment. The experimental prawns were fed during the experimental period (8 weeks) on a diet contained 37.5% crude protein 5times/day at a rate related to the development stage. The treatments applied were D1A; D2A; D3A; D1B; D2B and D3B i.e. densities 50; 75 and 100 animals/m 2 without probiotic and densities 50; 75 and 100 animals/m 2 with supplemental probiotics, respectively. Results obtained are summarized in the following: 1- Water quality parameters tested were within the permissible levels recommended for optimum growth and development of freshwater prawn. 2- Both densities D1 and D2 (50 and 75animals/m 2 ) recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher final weights; total weight gains; specific and relative growth rates compared to the highest density, regardless of the probiotic effect. 3- Probiotic supplementation had insignificant effects on final weight; total weight gain; specific and relative growth rates, regardless of stocking density. 4- Within each stocking density supplementing the diets of freshwater prawn with probiotic improved the survival rate and the improvements were more pronounced at the lower stocking densities. 5- The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) (the lowest) was recorded by D1A group (p<0.05) followed by D2B; D1B; D2A; D3B and D3A, respectively. 6- Neither stocking density nor probiotic supplementation released any significant effects on whole body chemical composition of freshwater prawn. Based on the obtained results, the optimum stocking density of postlarvae M. rosenbergii laid between 50 to 75animals/m 2 and increasing the stocking density more than75/m 2 had negative effects on growth performance parameters. Also the results obtained may lead us to recommend the supplementation of probiotic (Ecobiol Aqua) to postlarvae M. rosenbergii diets in order to improve the survival rate during the nursery period.

Quality feed is a determining factor of production in fish farming.This study aims to determine and analyse the best feed formulation combination of Meggot Meal Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Hermetia illuens, and Tarum (Indigofera sp) leaf flour for catfish (Clarias gariepinus B). The treatments in this study were Treatment A. MMB 80% (Maggot Meal Bsf 80%), Treatment B. MMB 60%+TF I20% (Maggot Meal Bsf 60% + Tarum Flour 20%), Treatment C.MMB 40%+TF40% (Maggot Meal Bsf 40% + Tarum Flour 40%), Treatment D.MMB 20%+TF 60% (Maggot Meal BSF 20% + Tarum Flour 60%). There were 12 aquarium containers measuring 50 x 40 x 30 cm. Data were analysed using SPSS 16. The results of parameter analysis of each observation of the test variables gave a significantly different effect (P &lt; 0.05). The best average growth was A. MMB 80% (9.42 grams), followed by B. MMB 60%+TF 20% (7.95 grams), C. MMB 40%+TF 40% (7.36 grams) and D. MMB 40%+TF 40% (7.36 grams). MMB 20%+TF 60% (6.46 grams). The best absolute weight was also in treatment A (6.47±0.22 grams), followed by B (4.91±0.28 grams), C (4.44±0.64 grams) and D (3.81±1.18 grams). For the best length B. (3.67±0.15 cm) and A (2.49±0.14 cm), followed by C (1.74±0.17 cm), D. (1.45±0.18 cm). FC (Best survival in B. (95.55%) and A. (94.44%), respectively C. (77.77%), D. (37.77%). FCR (Feed Convertion Ratio) 1.56±0.12 and EPP (Feed Utilisation Efficiency) 54.88%±3.94 were best and lowest in D. FCR (2.48±0.34) and EPP (6.16%±8.90). Water quality was still in optimal condition for the maintenance of dumbo catfish (Clarias gariepinus B) found temperature 27.91-28.06 oC, pH 7.75- 7.63, DO 6.33-6.51 mg/l, and ammonia 0.550.71 mg/l.

In the last 10 years, there have been 3 major research and development projects in Australia on the efficiency of feed utilisation by beef cattle. The primary objective of these projects has been to examine individual animal variation in feed efficiency and its exploitation for genetic improvement in beef cattle. The results of these projects indicate that genetic variation in feed efficiency exists in Australian beef herds, that feed efficiency is moderately heritable and that the potential exists to reduce the cost of beef production through selection for efficient cattle. These results have been further developed for industry application through the generation of BREEDPLAN estimated breeding values for net (or residual) feed intake (a feed efficiency trait) for Angus and Hereford–Polled Hereford breeds. Although economic analyses have indicated substantial benefit from selection for feed efficiency, the high initial cost of identifying animals which are superior for feed efficiency is a barrier to rapid adoption of the technology. Developing cost-effective methods of implementing the feed efficiency technology is thus an on-going research activity. Challenges for the future include: the development and use of more sophisticated statistical analyses procedures (such as random regression) for feed intake and efficiency evaluation; development of accurate methods of assessing individual animal feed intake at pasture; the adoption of a whole-production system approach to feed utilisation; and better integration of the disciplines of genetics and nutrition. The outcomes from research in the efficiency of feed utilisation in beef cattle have wider applications, not only in other livestock species, but also in human energetics, such as the control of obesity.

Bonylip barb (Osteochilus vittatus) is one of Indonesia's local fish which is starting to bloom in cultivation. One of the important needs in the development of fish farming is feed, to increase feed efficiency by providing probiotics which play a role in increasing growth, survival rates, digestibility, feed efficiency, the immune system and the composition of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract of fish. This study aims to compare the concentration of different probiotics in commercial feed on the growth and survival of barley nilem (Osteochilus vittatus). The research was conducted at Pandaan Aquaculture Installation (IPB), Pasuruan Regency, East Java. Experimental study using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments and three replications. Statistical analysis to compare growth performance (length and weight) and survival of nilem fish used analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. The results showed that there were differences in the growth of weight, length, and survival of barley nilem (Osteochilus vittatus) on commercial feed with different concentrations of probiotics. Where there is a tendency that the higher the concentration of probiotics in commercial feed, the higher the growth in length and weight and survival of nilem fish (O. vittatus).

Effects of tank color on the growth, survival rate, stress response, and skin color of juvenile hybrid catfish (Clarias macrocephalus × Clarias gariepinus)

Nutrition and parasite interaction

Nutrition and Parasite Interaction