Utilizing dietary probiotics can boost amberjack (Seriola dumerili) lysozyme activity, antioxidant capacity, and gut microbiota

In aquaculture, natural and eco-friendly resources are prioritized over synthetic inputs (e.g., antibiotics), and optimizing sustainable production methods is necessary. Probiotics have been well known for various potential functions in animal performance and health when supplemented as a single or mix of strain (s) in the diet. Consuming the right probiotic blend (synergistic types) is more advantageous than using each kind individually due to combining each species’ functions. The present trial aimed to examine the potential impacts of two probiotic mixtures on the performance and well-being of amberjack juveniles (5.63 ± 0.04 g; Number = 300) for a 60-day feed trial. Three experimental diets (43.5 ± 0.50% total protein and 12.55 ± 0.17% total lipid) were formulated with no probiotics supplement for the control (CD1) or with probiotics mixture supplement. Probiotic mixtures were supplemented at 2 g/kg diet for groups D2 [Bacillus amyloliquefaciens TOA5001 (BA) + Streptococcus faecalis T-110 (SF)] and D3 [Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Streptococcus faecalis T-110, Lactobacillus plantarum TO-A, Bacillus mesentericus TO-A] respectively. The analysis revealed no difference in all means of growth parameters, feed utilization, survival rate, biometric indices, whole-body composition, and blood parameters between control and probiotic-supplemented diet groups. Liver lysozyme activity, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase activity, and biological antioxidant (BAP) were significantly improved in fish fed D2 compared to CD1 (P < 0.05). The higher (P < 0.05) content of intestinal lactic acid bacteria was noted in fish group fed diet D2, with an improved intestinal histological structure such as increased villi length, cryptal depth, and goblet cells compared to those provided with CD1 and D3 diets. In conclusion, incorporating a mix of probiotic bacteria [BA+SF] at a 2 g/kg diet has remarkable effects on intestinal health, immune responses, and oxidative status of amberjack, S. dumerili, suggesting a potential probiotic candidate for this species

Dietary Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) enhanced the growth performance, antioxidative capacity, immune response and ameliorated stress-related markers induced by hypoxia stress in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Nile tilapia can tolerate a wide range of farming conditions; however, fluctuations in the environmental conditions may impair their health status. The incorporation of medicinal herbs in aquafeed is suggested to overcome stressful conditions. In this study, dietary Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) was evaluated on the growth performance, antioxidative capacity, immune response, and resistance of Nile tilapia against hypoxia stress. Fish fed five diets incorporated with Guduchi at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg for 56 days then exposed with hypoxia stress for 72 h. The growth performance, feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio were significantly (P \u3c 0.05) increased by including Guduchi in tilapia diets regardless of the inclusion level. Similarly, the lipase and protease activities were markedly (P \u3c 0.05) increased in tilapia fed dietary Guduchi. The activities of lysozyme and bactericidal activities in serum and mucus, nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT), and alternative complement activity (ACH50) were markedly (P \u3c 0.05) enhanced in tilapia treated with Guduchi supplements regardless of the dose. Additionally, the activities of liver and intestinal superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were markedly enhanced (P \u3c 0.05) by including Guduchi in tilapia diets compared with the control. Before and after hypoxia stress, tilapia-fed dietary Guduchi had lower glucose and cortisol levels than fish-fed Guduchi-free diets (P \u3c 0.05). In all groups, glucose and cortisol levels were markedly higher after hypoxia compared before hypoxia stress (P \u3c 0.05). In conclusion, dietary Guduchi can be included at 5.17–5.49 g/kg to enhance the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immune and antioxidative responses, and the resistance of Nile tilapia against hypoxia stress

Antiviral and Antifungal of Ulva fasciata Extract: HPLC Analysis of Polyphenolic Compounds

The increasing usage of chemical control agents, as well as fungicides to manage plant diseases, causes human and environmental health problems. Macroalgae represent a reservoir for a tremendous variety of secondary metabolites that display a wide range of biological activities. However, their anti-phytopathogenic properties are still being studied. The current study was conducted to investigate whether or not the macroalgae Ulva fasciata extract exhibits antifungal and antiviral activities. In this regard, the organic extracts of U. fasciata were tested for their capabilities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and three molecularly identified fungal isolates, Fusarium verticillioides, Alternaria tenuissima, and Botrytis cinerea with accession numbers OP363619, OP363620, and OP363621, respectively. Among the three tested extract concentrations, 100 &micro;g/mL had the best biological activity against B. cinerea and TMV, with 69.26%and 81.25% inhibition rates, respectively. The HPLC analysis of chemical profiling of the extract showed the presence of a number of phenolic and flavonoid compounds widely known to display many biological activities. In this line, the 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid was the highest phenolic compound (12.3 &micro;g/mL) present in the extract, followed by ferulic acid (9.05 &micro;g/mL). The 7-hydroxyflavone (12.45 &micro;g/mL) was the highest flavonoid in the organic extract of U. faciata followed by rutin, which recorded a concentration of 7.62 &micro;g/ mL. The results of this study show that the U. fasciata extract has antiviral and antifungal properties, which makes it a possible source of natural antimicrobial agents

Antiviral and Antifungal of <i>Ulva fasciata</i> Extract: HPLC Analysis of Polyphenolic Compounds

The increasing usage of chemical control agents, as well as fungicides to manage plant diseases, causes human and environmental health problems. Macroalgae represent a reservoir for a tremendous variety of secondary metabolites that display a wide range of biological activities. However, their anti-phytopathogenic properties are still being studied. The current study was conducted to investigate whether or not the macroalgae Ulva fasciata extract exhibits antifungal and antiviral activities. In this regard, the organic extracts of U. fasciata were tested for their capabilities against tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and three molecularly identified fungal isolates, Fusarium verticillioides, Alternaria tenuissima, and Botrytis cinerea with accession numbers OP363619, OP363620, and OP363621, respectively. Among the three tested extract concentrations, 100 µg/mL had the best biological activity against B. cinerea and TMV, with 69.26%and 81.25% inhibition rates, respectively. The HPLC analysis of chemical profiling of the extract showed the presence of a number of phenolic and flavonoid compounds widely known to display many biological activities. In this line, the 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid was the highest phenolic compound (12.3 µg/mL) present in the extract, followed by ferulic acid (9.05 µg/mL). The 7-hydroxyflavone (12.45 µg/mL) was the highest flavonoid in the organic extract of U. faciata followed by rutin, which recorded a concentration of 7.62 µg/ mL. The results of this study show that the U. fasciata extract has antiviral and antifungal properties, which makes it a possible source of natural antimicrobial agents

Effect of dietary sage (Salvia officinalis L.) on the growth performance, feed efficacy, blood indices, non-specific immunity, and intestinal microbiota of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Adding medicinal herbs to aquafeed is recommended for feasible aquaculture activity. This study tested for 90 days the effect of dietary sage (Salvia officinalis L.) on the growth performance, feed efficacy, blood indices, non-specific immunity, and intestinal microbiota of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax; n = 300 fish). Fish with an initial weight of 12 ± 0.1 g/fish were distributed in five treatments and fed sage at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mg/kg. Dietary sage at 2 g/kg diet improved the growth, feed consumption, and growth hormone secretion in European sea bass. The blood parameters in European sea bass fed on experimental diets showed normal levels for healthy fish. Significantly higher lysozyme and phagocytic activities were recorded with sage supplement at the 4 g/kg diet compared to other groups. Regarding overall bacterial count, fish given a sage-free diet (the control) showed more significant microbiota numbers, Vibrio, Escherichia coli, and acid-fermentative bacteria. Remarkably, fish fed on diets fortified with sage displayed lower records of the total bacterial count, Vibrio, and Escherichia coli than the control. Moreover, fish fed a diet enriched with high levels of sage (6 or 8 g/kg) showed increased acid-fermentative bacteria. The regression analysis showed that the optimum quantity of sage at 3.6 – 4.1 g/kg diet is recommended based on the weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), phagocytic activity, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and lysozyme activity. In conclusion, the dietary incorporation of sage (2 – 4 g/ kg diet) enhanced growth, feed efficacy, blood indices, non-specific immune responses, and sustained healthier gut flora in European sea bass