Background:
Pomegranate (Punica granatum), fruit rich in bioactive constituents, is used as a feed supplement against bacterial pathogens in aquaculture.
Aim:
This study examined the effects of supplementing the diet of the common carp (Cyprino carpio) infected with Aeromonas veronii on growth and some hematological, biochemical, and immunological health indicators.
Methods:
Carp was fed for seven weeks a diet of 30% crude protein and 7% crude fat, supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.5% pomegranate peel, and growth was monitored. Hematological, biochemical and immunological analyses were performed, including liver and antioxidant enzymes.
Results:
Bacteria from infected fish were identified by biochemical characteristics as A. veronii. Growth indicators (final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate), and feed utilization (relative growth rate and protein efficiency ratio) improved significantly in fish fed on 0.5 or 1.0% pomegranate-supplemented diets compared with the negative control (0%). RBCs, WBCs and Hct increased at all supplementation levels, and the highest hemoglobin (HGB) was in the 1.5% group. Biochemical parameters, except globulin, decreased in fish fed supplemented diets. No significant differences were observed in total protein and albumin levels. There was a significant improvement in immunological parameters and antioxidant enzymes.
Conclusion:
Dietary supplementation with pomegranate peel is a promising strategy for enhancing C. carpio's health in the presence of A.veronii. Further work is necessary to determine the optimal supplementation level and its long-term effects.
Key words: Pomegranate peel, Aquaculture, P. granatum, C. carpio, A. veronii
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