Effects of yucca, Yucca schidigera, extract and/or yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as water additives on growth, biochemical, and antioxidants/oxidant biomarkers of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

Yucca schidigera Usage for Healthy Aquatic Animals: Potential Roles for Sustainability

“…In a different approach, Abdel-Tawwab et al [ 12 ] examined Nile tilapia’s (28–32 g) responses to YSE and/or the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as water additives at the level of 1 g/m 3 for 8 weeks. The results of the Nile tilapia growth were improved ( p < 0.05) due to the water additives and the highest growth was recorded in fish treated with YSE + yeast.…”

“…Subsequently, treatment with yucca enhances aquatic animals’ resistance against infection by pathogenic microorganisms that may attack the organism in the ponds [ 13 ]. Indirectly, when the rearing water is treated with yucca extracts, the accumulation of ammonia is diminished and reduces the stressful impacts on fish [ 12 ], which could lead to immunosuppression and pathogenic invaders attacking if continued for a long time.…”

“…Regarding Nile tilapia, Abdel-Tawwab et al [ 12 ] reported an improvement in blood profile (increasing serum total lipids, total protein, albumin, and globulin, and decreasing aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, and creatinine) in response to YSE and/or the yeast S. cerevisiae as a water treatment. Moreover, Njagi et al [ 13 ] found an improvement in the immunity of Nile tilapia ( O. niloticus ) in terms of plasma LYZ activity, respiratory burst activity (NBT), and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila with the addition of YMS at the level of 0.1% and linked the obtained results to the ability of saponin to form immunostimulatory complexes.…”

“…Yucca schidigera and its extracts are among the medicinal plants associated with plenty of beneficial effects when applied in aquaculture [ 9 ]. Several studies found that aquatic animals’ performances showed improvements as a direct result of using yucca as feed or water additives [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Dietary yucca increases protein metabolism in the fish body, with a possible reduction in ammonia excretion [ 9 ].…”

“…Yucca plant originates from the deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico, which is known for their high temperature, lack of water, and stressful conditions [ 10 ]. Concurrently, yucca is characterized by its anti-stressor potential and beneficial effects that make it a prospective phytogenic additive for the aquaculture industry [ 12 , 17 ]. Yucca has abundant amounts of saponin and resveratrol, which can eliminate the waterborne ammonia and lower its impacts on aquatic animals’ performance and health [ 18 ].…”