Enhancing farmed striped catfish

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 3; p. e0298414
• Main Authors: Bano, Sheeza, Khan, Noor, Fatima, Mahroze, Khalique, Anjum, Arslan, Murat, Nazir, Sadia, Asghar, Muhammad, Khizar, Ayesha, Davies, Simon John, Wan, Alex H. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science 14.03.2024
• Subjects: Analysis; Antioxidants; Aquaculture; Catfishes; Corticosteroids; Costs (Law); Dextrose; Dietary supplements; Environmental aspects; Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid; Fatty acids; Fish as food; Fish-culture; Glucose; Growth; Management; Natural resources; Pakistan; Production management; Superoxide; Sustainable development; Pakistan; Germany
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298414

[beta]-glucan is a well-documented feed additive for its potent immunostimulatory properties in many farmed fish species. This study examined how it can also be a promising growth promoter, modulate antioxidant enzyme activities, and act as an anti-stress agent in striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus). A 12-week feeding experiment was untaken to determine the effects of dietary [beta]-glucan supplementation at graded levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g kg.sup.-1). Measured indicators suggest that a dietary inclusion level of 1.5 g kg.sup.-1 [beta]-glucan gave the highest positive responses: weight gain (120.10 g fish.sup.-1 ), survival (98.30%), and lower FCR (1.70) (P<0.05). Whole body proximate analysis had only revealed that crude protein was significantly affected by the dietary inclusion of [beta]-glucan (P0.05). The assessment of fatty acid composition in muscle, liver, and adipose tissues showed modifications with the inclusion of [beta]-glucan. Antioxidative-related enzyme activities (inc. catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) that were measured in the liver had higher levels when fed with [beta]-glucan inclusion diets (P<0.05). Following the feed trial, fish were subjected to crowding stress treatment. It was subsequently found that catfish fed with [beta]-glucan-based diet groups had lower levels of blood stress-related indicators compared to the control group with no dietary [beta]-glucan. The use of 1.5 g kg.sup.-1 of dietary [beta]-glucan resulted in the lowest measured levels of cortisol (43.13 ng mL.sup.-1) and glucose (50.16 mg dL.sup.-1). This study has demonstrated that the dietary inclusion of [beta]-glucan can have functional benefits beyond the immunological enhancements in striped catfish. Furthermore, its use can increase production levels and mitigate the stress associated with intensive farming practices.