Fresh Azolla, Azolla pinnata as a Complementary Feed for Oreochromis niloticus: Growth, Digestive Enzymes, Intestinal Morphology, Physiological Responses, and Flesh Quality

Abstract

Azolla is a potential fish feed ingredient due to its high nutritional value, abundant production, and low price. This study is aimed at evaluating the use of fresh green azolla (FGA) as a replacement ratio of the daily feed intake on the growth, digestive enzymes, hematobiochemical indices, antioxidant response, intestinal histology, body composition, and flesh quality of monosex Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (with an average initial weight of 108.0 ± 5.0 g ). Five experimental groups were used and differed in commercial feed replacement rates of 0% ( T 0 ), 10% ( T 1 ), 20% ( T 2 ), 30% ( T 3 ), and 40% ( T 4 ) with FGA for 70 days. Results showed that 20% replacement with azolla gave the highest values of growth performance and hematological parameters and the best feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and fish whole body protein content. The highest levels of intestinal chymotrypsin, trypsin, lipase, and amylase were noted in 20% replacement with azolla. Fish fed diets with FGA levels of 10% and 40% showed the highest values for the thickness of the mucosa and submucosa layers among all treatments, respectively, while the length and width of the villi decreased significantly. No significant ( P > 0.05 ) differences in the activities of serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and creatinine were detected among treatments. The hepatic total antioxidant capacity and the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase significantly ( P < 0.05 ) increased while the activity of malonaldehyde decreased with increasing the replacement levels of FGA up to 20%. With increasing levels of dietary replacement with FGA, muscular pH, stored loss (%), and frozen leakage rate (%) were significantly decreased. Finally, it was concluded that the dietary replacement of 20% FGA or less may be considered a promising feeding protocol for monosex Nile tilapia, which may lead to high fish growth, quality, profitability, and sustainability for the tilapia production sector.

The Potential Effects of Azolla as a Growth Promoter for Labeo rohita Fingerlings

“…The researchers also suggested that substituting dietary components with up to 20% Azolla could be a viable feeding strategy for monosex Nile tilapia. This approach has the potential to enhance fish growth, quality, profitability, and sustainability within the tilapia production industry (Refaey et al, 2023).…”

“…This leads to an increase in the overall productivity of ponds. Additionally, the rapid decomposition rates of Azolla make it an excellent substrate for microbial processing, such as composting, or for enhancing the detrital food chain before it is applied to ponds [7,8]. Rohu is a preferred Indian major carp species for cultivation.…”

A Review on the Use of Azolla Meal as a Feed Ingredient in Aquatic Animals’ Diets

“…The inclusion of Azolla in the right proportion can enhance fish growth and development, leading to increased productivity. High levels of Azolla inclusion can potentially weaken digestion and reduce feed consumption by impacting the activity of digestive enzymes [25,76]. Several studies have been conducted to determine the digestibility of Azolla, and the results have shown promising outcomes.…”

Effects of Background Color on Growth, Stress, Biochemical, Hematological, and Immunological Responses, and Expression of Growth-Related Genes in Oscar Fish (Astronotus ocellatus)

“…Fish culture in artificial environments may affect physiological responses and behavior of farmed fish [1][2][3][4]. The tank color is an important parameter for fish welfare and it must be considered for enhancing performance of cultured fish [5,6].…”