Impact of Garlic (Allium sativum) and/or Ginger (Zingiber officinale) oils supplementation on the Growth Performance, physiological responses, and gene expression of Nile tilapia

Abstract

A quaculture is one of the significant monetary applications and vital sources of protein for human consumption (Hayatgheib et al., 2020). Fish is a an extremely nourishing food that contains various fundamental supplements like omega3, vitamin D, iodine, and calcium. Also, they are viewed as a source of profits in all countries (FAO, 2020). Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is the 2 nd aquaculture type in the world and has a high tolerance to environmental changes, so it is viewed as the principal candidate for creating aquaculture in unusual water sources (Brum et research Article Abstract | A feeding trial for 4 weeks was performed to estimate the impacts of dietary garlic oil and/or ginger oil on the growth performance, physiological responses, and gene expression of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). A 180-healthy Nile tilapia having an average weight of 50.0±2.24 g was randomly distributed into 6 groups (30 fish/ group/three replicates) as the following: T1 (control group) nourished with the basal diet only, T2 given the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% garlic oil, T3 given the basal diet supplemented with 1% garlic oil, T4 given the basal diet supplemented with 0.5% ginger oil, T5 given the basal diet supplemented with 1% ginger oil, and T6 given the basal diet supplemented with a mixture of 0.5% garlic and 0.5% ginger oil. The fish group received ginger oil in its diet at a 0.5% rate (T4) showed a significant increase of growth performance (overall body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) with a lower feed conversion ratio. Besides, garlic oil supplementation on fish diet at a 0.5% rate (T2) improved the overall body weight. The plasma biochemical parameters results indicate that garlic oil and/or ginger oil supplementation on the Nile tilapia diet at different levels raises markedly raises the T4 hormone level and reduces total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, administration of 1% garlic oil and ginger oil (T3 and T5 respectively) and both of them (T6) to the diet of Nile tilapia significantly (P<0.05) reduces the plasma urea and uric acid concentration. The results of gene expression showed that TNF-α and IL-1β genes expression was the highest in the fish supplemented with 1% ginger oil (T5). It is concluded that garlic and/or ginger oil supplementation to the fish diet enhances growth as well as immunostimulant agents and improves the general health of Nile tilapia.