Effects of dietary mulberry leaf extract on the growth, gastrointestinal, hepatic functions of Chinese giant salamander ( Andrias davidianus )

Abstract

Mulberry leaf extract (MLE), an active substance extracted from mulberry leaves, is known to have a positive effect on several physiological functions. The current study examined the effects of dietary MLE in feed at concentrations 0, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, 12.0 and 15.0 g/kg on the growth performance and gastrointestinal and hepatic functions of Andrias davidianus for 12 weeks. Results indicated that the final body weight, weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate and feed intake (FI) of A. davidianus increased with the increase in the dietary MLE up to 9.0 g/kg and declined thereafter, while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) exhibited an opposite trend. Meanwhile, A. davidianus with a dietary intake of 9.0 g/kg MLE showed higher levels of crude protein in muscles and lower levels of moisture and crude lipid levels in the liver and muscles when compared with the control. In addition, dietary MLE increased the density and length of the villi and decreased the cavity rate in the foregut, enhancing the activities of carbonic anhydrase, H+‐K+‐ATPase, pepsin, intestinal trypsin, lipase and Na+‐K+‐ATPase (p < .05) in the stomach. Furthermore, dietary MLE increased the intestinal and hepatic superoxide dismutase activities and total antioxidative capacities but decreased their malondialdehyde contents in A. davidianus. Dietary MLE also significantly increased the immune parameters, and the plasma total protein, albumin and immunoglobulin M contents but significantly decreased the aspartate aminotr‐ansferase, alanine aminotransferase and diamine oxidase activities, and the total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride and endotoxin contents (p < .05). In conclusion, a quadratic regression analysis of WGR and FCR indicated that the optimum level of MLE for A. davidianus was between 8.21 and 8.30 g/kg of the diet.

Mulberry leaf extract improves non-specific immunity and antioxidant capacity of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) fed a high-starch diet

“…Therefore, high starch diet supplemented with MLE decreased lipid and glycogen deposition by enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism. In addition, the whole-body moisture and muscle were significantly decreased in the MLE groups, which was consistent with results previously obtained in the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) (Li Z et al, 2020). Antioxidant enzyme systems are an important defense mechanism of organisms, which can reduce peroxide in the body into less harmful substances (Bogdan et al, 2000).…”

“…To date, only a few studies on mulberry leaf extract (MLE) in aquaculture have been reported. Dietary MLE can improve the growth performance, feed utilization, digestive capacity, and hepatic antioxidant status of the Chinese giant salamander (Li Z et al, 2020). Mulberry leaf extract can also alleviate Aeromonas hydrophila infection of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) (Sheikhlar et al, 2014;Sheikhlar et al, 2017).…”

Extruded breakfast meal from malted finger millet (Eleusine coracana) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) seed flour: in-vivo nutritional qualities study

“…Ash is an indication of mineral content of food and it has been reported that watermelon seed has high ash content (Ojinnaka et al 2018;Falade et al 2020). Crude fibre is known to aid the digestive system of human (Jin et al 2020;Li et al 2020). Energy is a function of the protein, fat and carbohydrate composition of any food product which could be the reason for variation in the energy values of the products (Ojinnaka et al 2018).…”

Effect of Mulberry Leaves Extract (Morus alba) on Growth of Post Larvae in Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

“…The same observation was found in other study by Fujaya et al (2014) where a high frequency of moulting in larvae of blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus was observed when fed with mulberry leaves extract. A previous study by Li et al (2020) showed that the final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate and feed intake of Chinese giant salamander, Andrians davidianus were increased with the increase in the dietary of mulberry leaves extract up to 9.0 g/kg and declined subsequently, while the feed conversion ration exhibited an opposite trend.…”