Effect of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra) Powder on Growth Performance, Biochemical Parameters, Blood Carotenoid Concentration, and Fillet Color of Rainbow Trout

Abstract

The degree of flesh pigmentation is one of the most important quality criteria dictating the fish market value. It is well known that fish, like other animals, cannot synthesize their own coloring pigments de novo, and must obtain these pigments from their diet. In this study, four levels of black mulberry (Morus nigra) juice powder (BMP) as a natural pigment source were incorporated into a basal diet at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75% and fed to rainbow trout weighing 100±5 g for 8 weeks in triplicate. At the end of the feeding trial, the effect of BMP on growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and fillet color was examined. Fish fed BMP showed significant enhancements in weight gain (WG), specific growth (SGR), food conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rates (SR) (P<0.05). SGR, WG and SR values were increased significantly following dietary supplementation with BMP in a dose dependent manner with the highest values in fish fed 0.75%, while the FCR was decreased (P<0.05). Body crude protein, lipid, and moisture contents were increased significantly in fish fed BMP (P<0.05). Dietary BMP has significantly decreased the levels of blood ALT, AST, and glucose (P>0.05). While the blood carotenoid concentration was increased in fish fed 0.5% BMP compared to other treated groups. Fish fed BMP showed increased fillet yellowness (b*) and redness (a*), while the fillet lightness (L*) was decreased when compared to the control (P<0.05). In conclusion, diets supplemented with BMP increased the growth performance, muscle pigmentation, and health status of rainbow trout.

Nutritional immunity of fish intestines: important insights for sustainable aquaculture

“…Jiang et al absorption efficiently (Cao et al, 2020). Many additives have been recommended by many researchers to be used as supplements in the appropriate amounts (Wang et al, 2018b;Ahmadifar et al, 2019;Adel et al, 2020;El Basuini et al, 2020). The most important additives are probiotics, prebiotics, medicinal herbs and immunostimulants, which have displayed many essential effects on aquatic animals (Fig.…”

“…Feed additives are useful substances that can be added in small amounts in diets to improve the physiological and immunological status of aquatic animals (Dawood et al, 2018; Shekarabi et al, 2020). They increase the activity of microbiota in the intestine to perform digestion and absorption efficiently (Cao et al, 2020).…”

Antiparasitic and Antibacterial Functionality of Essential Oils: An Alternative Approach for Sustainable Aquaculture

“…The use of medicinal plants and their derivatives in aquaculture is increasing day by day all over the world because of having biodegradable properties [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], availability and ease to cultivate, and do not accumulate in animal tissues as a residue [ 25 , 26 ]. Essential oils (EOs) are the secondary metabolites of medicinal plants and possess bioactive properties to be used as a phytotherapeutic agent for sustainable aquaculture [ 27 , 28 ].…”

Extract of grape seed enhances the growth performance, humoral and mucosal immunity, and resistance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) against Aeromonas hydrophila

“…Weight gain and growth rate are directly correlated with animal capability for digestion and absorption of nutrients (Magouz et al, 2020). Medicinal plants have been used to improve nutrition in human for a long time, and their use has drawn considerable attention in livestock, poultry, and aquatic animals (El-Deep et al, 2019;Saleh et al, 2019;Shekarabi et al, 2019). The current study revealed improved growth performance in fish fed GSE.…”