Growth, hematology and immuno-modulatory potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplemented diets in Clarias gariepinus juvenile (Burchell, 1822)

• Published in: Aquaculture Studies Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 41 - 49
• Main Authors: Iheanacho, S C, Ogbu, M, Ude, E, Ayotunde, E, Ogueji, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Trabzon Central Fisheries Research Institute 01.01.2018
• Subjects: Aquaculture products; Aquaculture systems; Clarias; Clarias gariepinus; Controlled conditions; Feeding experiments; Feeds; Freshwater; Growth rate; Haematology; Immunology; Zingiber officinale; Nigeria, Ebonyi State
• ISSN: 2618-6381
• DOI: 10.4194/2618-6381-v18_1_05

A-70 day study was conducted to investigate the growth, hematology and immune-modulatory effect of ginger supplemented diets in Clarias gariepinus. Ginger was added to the diet of fish at 0% (control), 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), 1.5% (T3) and 2.0% (T4). Fish fed 1.0% (T2) ginger had best growth performance with final weight (75.07±2.97g), weight gain (49.98±2.96g), Specific growth rate (SGR) (5.58±0.08g) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.31±0.08) which was significantly different (P<0.05) from others while T4 (2.0%) showed the least growth performance; final weight (37.47±5.52g), weight gain (12.39±5.54g), SGR (3.22±0.78g) and PER (0.32±0.14). Study on HSI showed that all treated fish groups had stable liver conditions and did not differ significantly (P>0.05) when compared to the control. T2 (1.0% ginger) had best haematological profile. Result on red cell indices revealed that Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and mean cell hemoglobin were not significantly different (P>0.05) among fish groups while mean cell volume differed significantly (P<0.05). Result on immunological study (leukocyte differentials) revealed insignificant changes (P>0.05) in the values of all parameters examined with reference to the control. Phytochemical screening of ginger showed that it contains good amount of minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and manganese) and antinutrients (tannin, oxalate, phytate and saponin). C. gariepinus fed 1.0% dietary inclusion level of ginger had better growth and haematological profile.