Open AccessSupplementation of diets for Oreochromis niloticus with essential oil extracts from lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) and geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ) and effects on growth, intestinal microbiota, antioxidant and immune activities
Author(s) -
AlSagheer A. A.,
Mahmoud H. K.,
Reda F. M.,
Mahgoub S. A.,
Ayyat M. S.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
aquaculture nutrition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.941
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1365-2095
pISSN - 1353-5773
DOI - 10.1111/anu.12637
Subject(s) - cymbopogon citratus , biology , oreochromis , geranium , essential oil , food science , antioxidant , zoology , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , biochemistry , fish <actinopterygii> , fishery , cultivar
This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ) ( LEO ) and geranium ( Pelargonium graveolens ) ( GEO ) essential oils on growth, immunity, antioxidant responses and disease resistance of Oreochromis niloticus . Fish (3.04 ± 0.003 g) were fed the basal diet (G 1 ), or the basal diet supplemented with LEO at 200 and 400 mg kg −1 of the diet (G 2 and G 3 ), or GEO at 200 and 400 mg kg −1 of the diet (G 4 and G 5 ), respectively for 12 weeks. Growth indices and feed utilization were significantly improved with G 2 , G 3 and G 5 groups. Also, a significant increase in protein content of the whole body was recorded in all groups. G 2 and G 5 showed a significant rise of both catalase activity and reduced glutathione content with a significant incline in the MDA level. Lysozyme activity and total IgM levels were significantly increased in G 2 and G 5 groups. G 3 and G 5 groups had a significantly lower intestinal total bacteria, Coliforms, Escherichia coli and Aeromonas spp counts. Following challenge with A. hydrophila , all groups had a high survival rate. In conclusion, LEO and GEO could be a candidate dietary supplementation in fish improving growth performance, feed utilization, oxidative status, immune responses and disease resistance.