Effects of dietary β-glucans on the productive performance, blood parameters, and intestinal microbiota of angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) juveniles

Abstract

Among the potential feed additives, β-glucans are known to positively affect the growth performance, blood parameters, and intestinal microbiota of fish, even the ornamental species. Therefore, the present study evaluated the effects of the dietary supplementation of different Saccharomyces cerevisiae β-glucans concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%) in juvenile angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) over a 42-day period.Regarding growth performance, no effects were observed on most parameters. However, 0.2% β-glucans supplementation produced higher condition factor values, indicating a better nutritional status. Furthermore, β-glucans supplementation did not affect blood parameters. Regarding intestinal microbiota, β-glucans supplementation increased the abundance of the potentially beneficial bacterial genus Phascolarctobacterium.The high abundance of bacteria from the phylum Bacteroidetes, which can degrade β-glucans, may be attributed to the increased abundance of Phascolarctobacterium spp.In addition, 0.2% β-glucans supplementation produced more operational taxonomic units and higher Sobs (observed species richness), indicating effects on the overall bacterial community structure. These results demonstrate the potential application of β-glucans as a dietary supplement to improve the performance and modulate the intestinal microbiota of angelfish.

Influence of feeding frequency on growth, hematology, blood biochemistry, liver histology, and intestinal microbiota in the Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus)

“…Microbiota characterization enables the evaluation of the effects of diet, environment, and interaction with pathogens on microbial composition in several fish species (Eichmiller et al, 2016;Lima et al, 2024;F. P. Souza et al, 2020a;Suphoronski et al, 2019;Tarnecki et al, 2017).…”