Effect ofArthrospirasupplementation onOreochromis niloticusgut microbiota and flesh quality

Abstract

Supplementing fish feed with Arthrospira platensis has several beneficial effects, such as improved growth, survival and feed conversion, but little is known about how it affects gut microbiota or flesh quality. In this trial, feed with 3% A. platensis was given to Oreochromis niloticus (SPR, spirulina supplemented) over a period of 50 days and their gut microbiota and flesh quality were compared with controls (CTRs, no supplementation). Average daily growth was higher in SPR fish (p < 0.05). Regarding microbiota, a total of 5,470,272 readings (individuals) were obtained from 16 gut samples (n = 8 CTR, n = 8 SPR), with a gamma diversity of 1,563 species but no significant differences were found between treatments. Among the high inter‐individual variability found, some individual microbiota were dominated by Proteobacteria (36.6%) and Fusobacteria (32.9%) and others more by Actinobacteria (37%). Regarding flesh quality, significant differences were observed in flesh colour post‐mortem (a*, b* and chroma) (p < 0.05), with higher reflectance in the range of 470–500 and 620–670 nm in SPR tilapia, which corresponds with the reflectance range of β‐carotene and phycocyanin. However, rigor mortis was resolved earlier in SPR fish (p < 0.05), which suggests a shorter shelf life. Adding 3% of A. platensis in O. niloticus diet can improve growth and flesh colour and does not appear to modify intestinal microbiota.

Effects of woody forages on biodiversity and bioactivity of aerobic culturable gut bacteria of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…Ingestion has an important effect on the intestinal microbes and their functions in tilapia [52]. And, the microbiota can also affect behaviors [53], including feeding behavior, digestive/ absorptive processes (e.g., by modulating intestinal motility and the intestinal barrier) [54], metabolism, as well as the immune response, with repercussions on the energy homeostasis, growth status [55] and health of the host.…”

Beneficial Effects of Spirulina Aqueous Extract on Vasodilator Function of Arteries from Hypertensive Rats

“…To obtain the Spirulina biomass, the Arthrospira platensis BIO1 strain, kindly supplied by Biodesma S.L., was used. A. platensis was grown in plastic bioreactors in a greenhouse at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (40.446353 N-3.738341 E), as previously described [ 24 , 25 ]. Briefly, A. platensis was harvested when the culture reached approximately 1 g/L of dry weight.…”

Use of Algae in Aquaculture: A Review

“…Dietary additives of microalgae Spirulina and Schizochytrium, used as replacements for FM, FO or plant oil, significantly improved fish growth and maintained fillet quality and displayed the potential of using these microalgae as sustainable alternatives in aquafeeds to enhance fish growth and the quality of fillets while reducing reliance on traditional protein sources like FM and FO [133]. Dietary supplementation of Sargassum ilicifolium (10%) during an eight-week feeding trial with great sturgeon revealed several positive effects, including enhanced growth performance, hematological parameters (red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and hemoglobin levels), immune responses (respiratory bursts, complementary activities, and immunoglobulin M, lysozyme, and serum total protein levels), and defense against Y. ruckeri and highlight the potential of S. ilicifolium as a valuable dietary supplement for improving the health and growth performance of great sturgeon [134]. Dietary inclusion of macroalgae Gracilaria vermiculophylla at a level of 5% in a 91-day feeding trial improved the growth performance of rainbow trout, enhanced the innate immune response, and resulted in the highest peroxidase, complement, and lysozyme activity [135].…”