Open AccessProtective effects of dietary Kefir against aflatoxin B1‐induced hepatotoxicity in Nile tilapia fish, Oreochromis niloticus
Author(s) -
Ben Taheur Fadia,
Mansour Chalbia,
Mechri Sondes,
Laaouar Houcine,
Safta Skhiri Sihem,
Bouricha Mohamed,
Jaouadi Bassem,
Mzoughi Ridha,
Zouari Nacim
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
food science and nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.614
H-Index - 27
ISSN - 2048-7177
DOI - 10.1002/fsn3.2838
Subject(s) - oreochromis , nile tilapia , kefir , antioxidant , food science , glutathione peroxidase , tilapia , catalase , chemistry , glutathione , abts , dpph , zoology , biology , biochemistry , lactic acid , fish <actinopterygii> , enzyme , bacteria , fishery , genetics
The effect of dietary Kefir supplementation on the biometric, biochemical, and histological parameters of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) exposed to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 200 µg/kg diet) contamination was studied. The yeasts were dominant in Kefir followed by lactic and acetic acid bacteria. The Kefir showed relatively interesting antioxidant potential in the DPPH• (IC 50 = 0.9 ± 0.02 mg/ml) and ABTS•+ (IC 50 = 2.2 ± 0.03 mg/ml) scavenging activities, Fe 3+ ‐reducing power (EC 0.5 = 1.2 ± 0.01 mg/ml), and β‐carotene bleaching assay (IC 50 = 3.3 ± 0.02 mg/ml). Three hundred and sixty Nile tilapia weighing 23 ± 5 g were divided into four groups (30 fish/group with 3 replicates), and fed with diets containing Kefir (D2), AFB1 (D3), and Kefir+AFB1 (D4) for 4 weeks, whereas D1 was kept as control group where fish were fed with basal diet. The Kefir supplementation in D4 group significantly increased ( p < .05) the percent weight gain as compared to D3 group. Moreover, Kefir improved the antioxidant enzymes in the liver, such as catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, that significantly increased ( p < .05) by 2‐, 3‐, and 1.5‐folds, respectively, as compared to D3 group. The Kefir treatment significantly decreased ( p < .05) the liver malonaldehyde content by ~50% as compared to D3 group. Histopathological analysis revealed the hepatoprotective effects of Kefir by showing normal liver histological architecture in D4 group, as compared to degenerative changes observed in D3 group. These results suggest that Kefir could be considered as a potential probiotic in Nile tilapia feed to mitigate the AFB1 harmful effects.