Effects of Illicium verum Hook. f. (Chinese herb) enriched diet on growth performance, immune response and disease resistance in Catla catla [Hamilton] fingerlings against Aeromonashydrophila

• Published in: Fish & shellfish immunology Vol. 127; pp. 455 - 462
• Main Authors: Mohanasundari, L, Brindha Devi, G.B, Saiyad Musthafa, M, Madhavi, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2022
• Subjects: Aeromonas hydrophila; Catla catla; Disease resistance; Growth performance; Illicium verum; Immuneresponse; Phytobiotics; Disease resistance; Immuneresponse; Aeromonas hydrophila; Phytobiotics; Catla catla; Growth performance; Illicium verum
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.06.050
• ISSN: 1050-4648

Our present study investigates the effects of Illicium verum enriched diet on growth performance, immune response and disease resistance in Catla catla fingerlings against Aeromonas hydrophila. Experimental groups, i.e., infected C. catla were fed with 5 g/kg, 10 g/kg and 15 g/kg of I. verum diet for a period of 30 days showed a significant increase in their final body weight (FBW) over control. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in total weight gain (TWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion rate (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), condition factor (CF) and survival rate (SR) in 10 g/kg and 15 g/kg groups compared to control; also from 31 to 60 days these groups showed an enhanced (p < 0.05) complement activity, phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity and lysosome activity. The experimental group fed with 10 g/kg of I. verum diet showed the least cumulative mortality rate (5%) compared to 5 g/kg (30%) and 15 g/kg (15%) experimental groups and in control (10%) and negative control (75%). Our present study highlights that challenged fish fed with the mid dosage of 10 g/kg showed a significant increase in overall growth performance, non susceptibility to diseases and tolerance against A. hydrophila in C. catla compared to other experimental groups including the group given with high dosage of 15 g/kg. Thus our results suggest 10 g/kg as the optimal dosage of I. verum that can be used to enrich the fish diet for a better performance and effective immunostimulation in commercially important C. catla for its sustainable culture and is reported for the first time. •First paper to report on antibacterial activity of Illicium verum in Catla catla against Aeromonas hydrophila.•Findings establish that I.verum as a potential immunostimulant candidate for a sustainable C. catla cultivation.•Throws light on the herbal property of I.verum that promotes growth performance and survival rate.•This study suggests an optimal dosage of I.verum enriched diet for sustainable cultivation of C.catla and advises that a high dosage of I.verum does not have a positive effect on the experimental groups.•Reports a very low mortality rate in experimental groups challenged with A.hydrophila.