Dietary curcumin supplementation enhanced growth performance, intestinal digestion, and absorption and amino acid transportation abilities in on‐growing grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella )

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of curcumin on growth performance, intestinal digestion, and absorption and amino acid transportation in on‐growing grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Curcumin at six levels (control (0), 120, 240, 360, 480 and 600 mg/kg) was included in the fish diets for 60 days. Dietary curcumin supplementation increased weight gain, final body weight, body length, percentage weight gain, specific growth rate, feed intake, feed efficiency, intestinal somatic index, intestinal protein content, intestine weight, folds height, digestion enzyme and brush border enzyme activities of the on‐growing grass carp. Notably, based on the quadratic regression of percentage weight gain, the most appropriate curcumin supplementation level was estimated to be 312.27 mg/kg in the diet of on‐growing grass carp. Curcumin diversely enhanced the mRNA abundance of neutral and cationic amino acid transporters, neutral amino acid transporters, cationic amino acid transporter, anionic amino acid transporters and peptide transporter 1 in the different segments of the fish intestine. In addition, curcumin up‐regulated the target of rapamycin (TOR) signalling pathway molecules. Therefore, curcumin was beneficial for the growth performance of fish by improving intestinal growth and development, intestinal digestion, and absorption, and amino acid transportation abilities.

Effects of Dietary Koumine on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, Microbiota, and Intestinal Transcriptional Responses of Cyprinus carpio

“…Intestinal stem cells continuously undergo self-renewal and give rise to the transit of cells that move up the crypt villi axis that form various differentiated cell types to maintain intestinal epithelial integrity [ 31 ]. Further, growth performance depends on the digestive and absorptive capacity of fish, especially in metabolism and nutrient absorption [ 32 ]. For example, dietary dandelion improved intestinal morphology and immunity by increasing the number of intestinal cupped cells and decreasing the number of epithelial lymphocytes in the pompano fish Trachinotus ovatus [ 33 ].…”

Dietary Natural Plant Extracts Can Promote Growth and Modulate Oxidative Status of Senegalese Sole Postlarvae under Standard/Challenge Conditions

“…Given the multitude of pathways that curcumin can act on, it is challenging to identify the key pattern of action of this antioxidant. In fact, the impact of curcumin in the redox status of fish is highly dependent on the duration of the experimental trial [ 52 ], doses [ 10 , 15 ], and species [ 54 ].…”

Recent Advances of Phytobiotic Utilization in Carp Farming: A Review

“…Meanwhile, Amirkhani and Firouzbakhsh [15] revealed that a 400 mg/kg diet of the basil (Ocimum basilicum) ethanolic extract could improve the growth performance of the common carp (Cyprinus carpio). In addition, other phytobiotics that positively influenced aquaculture species growth performances are fenugreek seed meal [16], date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) seed extract [17], Chlorella [18], juniper berry oil [19], white button mushroom powder [20], curcumin [21], and wheat meal [14]. Moreover, certain phytobiotics such as fenugreek seed meal exhibited additional benefits by reducing stress and improving growth performance [16].…”

“…Phytobiotic application improves nutrient availability and digestibility, contributing to enhanced feed conversion and protein synthesis [7]. Various phytobiotics like oregano essential oil [40], curcumin [21], grape pomace flour (GPF) [34], and savory (Satureja hortensis) essential oil [38] are easily applicable in carp farming as shown in Table 2. Nevertheless, these phytobiotics are only useful when the aquaculture species nutritional requirements are fulfilled.…”