Effects of Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) as a Prebiotic Supplement in the Diet of Red Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a Jerusalem artichoke-supplemented diet on the blood chemistry, growth performance, intestinal morphology, expression of antioxidant-related genes, and disease resistance against Aeromonas veronii challenge in juvenile red tilapia. A completely randomized design (CRD) was followed to feed red tilapias with three experimental diets: control, 5.0 g/kg JA-supplemented (JA5), or 10.0 g/kg JA-supplemented (JA10) diets in triplicates for 4 weeks. The results revealed that the growth performance, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and average daily gain (ADG) of fish fed diets JA5 and JA10 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those of fish fed the control diet. Fish fed the control diet had significantly higher T-bilirubin, D-bilirubin, and ALT in blood serum than fish fed JA5 and JA10, as well as higher BUN than fish fed JA5. The number of goblet cells in the proximal and distal parts of the intestine revealed that the number of acid, neutral, and double-staining mucous cells of fish fed diets JA5 and JA10 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in fish fed the control diet. The diets including the prebiotic (JA5 and JA10) were associated with a significant increase in the expression of gpx1 and gst antioxidant-related genes and disease resistance against A. veronii in juvenile red tilapia. Therefore, JA5 and JA10 can be employed as promising prebiotics for sustainable red tilapia farming.

Effects of Jerusalem artichoke-enriched diet on water quality, growth performance, feed utilization, proximate body composition, and hematology and biochemical parameters in common carp fingerlings

“…The JA dietary treatments significantly reduced ALT levels in red tilapia fingerlings while not affecting AST and TG levels. However, Cho levels were significantly increased in fish receiving a 1% JA diet, which was inconsistent with our findings [18]. In contrast to our study, Ali et al [17] showed that the TG levels of Asian seabass fed with JA dietary significantly increased with a rise in the levels of JA in the diet.…”

“…In the same vein, based on the findings reported by Van Doan et al ( 2015), JA significantly enhanced SGR and FCR in catfish fed with the dietary treatment of JA than in fish receiving the control diet [30]. Trullas et al [18] found a significantly higher WG, ADG, FCR, and SGR in fish on JA diets in comparison to control fish for 28 days. According to Tiengtam et al [16], Nile tilapia fingerlings on diets supplemented with JA for 82 days exhibited significantly enhanced levels of FW, SGR, ADG, and FCR.…”

“…However, the glucose levels were significantly elevated, which contradicted our findings. In contrast, Trullas et al [18] found that the levels of albumin and total protein in the red tilapia fed with JA diets increased but not significantly; nevertheless, glucose levels were positively modulated. The dietary GOS and inulin (both components of JA) increased plasma protein in common carp, and dietary FOS (also a component of JA) had no effect on plasma protein [37], which could be due to the fact that varying prebiotic types affect different prebiotic metabolism.…”

“…Ali et al [17] reported that JA-supplemented diets, especially at a 2% level, positively impacted the immunological, biochemical, and disease-resistance traits in Asian seabass juveniles. Trullas et al [18] discovered that administrating JA in the diet led to a significant increase in the growth performance, the expression of antioxidant-related genes, the amount of intestinal mucous cells, and resistance to Aeromonas veronii infection in juvenile red tilapia.…”

Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) as a Promising Dietary Feed Ingredient for Monogastric Farm Animals

“…Prior research, conducted on various farm animals, regarded Jerusalem artichoke (J.A.) as a potential feed ingredient substitute (both fresh/silage stems and leaves can be incorporated into the diet of dairy cows and pigs, including fresh/powder tubers for pigs or poultry diets) because of its distinct composition and the potential health advantages it offers, including for pigs [2][3][4][5][6][7], laying hens [8][9][10], broilers [11][12][13], Japanese quail [14], sheep [15][16][17], fish [18][19][20][21][22], rabbits [23][24][25], cattle [26], horses [27][28][29], goats [30][31][32], bees, and wasps [33]. Lindberg [34] suggests that innovative and sustainable feed sources can be derived from traditional food sources, agro-industrial byproducts, aquaculture, biotechnology, and novel technologies to supply the necessary nutrients for animal food production.…”