The potentials of fructooligosaccharide on growth, feed utilization, immune and antioxidant parameters, microbial community and disease resistance of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × O. aureus)

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the potentials of dietary fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth and health of tilapia. Fish (5.00 ± 0.02 g) were fed five diets with FOS supplementation at 0 (CON), 0.5 (F-1), 1 (F-2), 2 (F-3) and 4 (F-4) g/kg feed for 8 weeks. The results showed that the weight gain and feed conversion ratio were improved by F-2, F-3 and F-4 groups (p < .05). Dietary FOS promoted the retentions of protein and lipid (p < .05), and the digestibility of dry matter and protein was encouraged by F-2 and F-3 groups (p < .05). The FOS supplementation (except F-4 group) increased serum alkaline phosphate and acid phosphatase activities and hepatic superoxide dismutase activity (p < .05). The amylase activity and villus height in anterior intestine were enhanced by all FOS groups (p < .05). The numbers of total bacteria in F-3 and F-4 groups, lactic acid bacteria in F-4 group and Bacillus in all FOS groups were increased (p < .05). After challenged with Aermonas hydrophila, the cumulative mortality was decreased by all levels of FOS supplementation (p < .05). In conclusion, the FOS supplementation at least 1 g/kg feed could promote growth, nutrient utilization, immune and antioxidant parameters, digestive enzyme activity, gut health and disease resistance of tilapia.

Effects of Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) Juice Byproduct Administered Using Different Feeding Methods on the Growth Performance, Digestive Enzyme Activity, Antioxidant Status, and Disease Resistance against Streptococcus iniae of Juvenile Black Rockfish (Sebastes schlegelii)

“…The effect of the T1 (feeding the fish YJB continuously) and T2 (feeding them YJB for 1 day and the basal diet on the following day) treatments on growth (FBW, WG, and SGR), feed utilization (FC, FE, and PER), and digestive enzyme activity showed a significant difference from that of the T0 treatment (feeding the fish a basal diet continuously). FOSs, a prebiotic present in YJB, are implicated in the digestion, absorption, and metabolism of essential nutrients in aquatic animals [35][36][37][38][39]. The growth performance of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) administered 4 g kg −1 of FOSs discontinuously was better than that of a control group fed a basal diet continuously but was not significantly different from that of fish fed 4 g kg −1 of FOSs continuously [39].…”