article · Fishes
Dietary supplementation with nano curcumin can enhance the growth, feed efficiency, and disease resistance of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.). In an eight-week feeding trial, fish were given diets containing zero, 40, 50, or 60 milligrams of nano curcumin per kilogram of feed, before undergoing a 15-day challenge with the pathogenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. Diets containing nano curcumin led to significant improvements in growth performance, feed utilisation, and overall survival rates compared to the control group. When exposed to fungal infection, fish receiving the nano curcumin supplements demonstrated reduced cumulative mortality. While results between the 50 and 60 milligram per kilogram diets showed no statistically significant differences, the highest dose produced the best overall outcomes. The findings indicate that incorporating nano curcumin at 50 to 60 milligrams per kilogram of feed strengthens fish health and confers protection against fungal pathogens.
Fungal infections such as Aspergillus flavus cause substantial mortality and economic losses in commercial fish farming. Identifying effective, functional feed additives that boost immune defence and growth helps fish farmers maintain healthier stocks. Exploring natural compounds like nano curcumin supports sustainable aquaculture practices by improving feed efficiency and reducing disease-related die-offs in commercially farmed species like tilapia.
This research provides applied evidence for aquafeed manufacturers and commercial fish farmers seeking to enhance survival and growth in red tilapia. Incorporating nano curcumin into feed formulations offers a direct method for fungal disease mitigation. As an applied and tested study conducted in controlled experimental ponds, further testing at commercial production scales and economic assessments of nano curcumin sourcing are required before real-world deployment.
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This research examined the role of nano curcumin (NC) on growth performances, body composition, and blood parameters of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) challenged with Aspergillus flavus. Fish (5.0 g ± 0.30) were randomly distributed in four equal groups (20 fish per pond in triplicates) and fed various concentrations of NC fortified with 0 (Control), 40 mg/kg (NC1), 50 mg/kg (NC2), and 60 mg/kg diet (NC3) of nano curcumin. After eight weeks of the feeding trial, the fish were challenged with A. flavus for 15 days, and the cumulative mortality was recorded. Fish fed with different concentrations of NC improved significantly (p < 0.05) the growth performances, feed utilization, and survival rate. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between NC2 and NC3 treatments. However, NC3 exhibited higher performances. Fish feed supplemented with NC decreased the mortality rate when challenged with A. flavus. Hence, dietary supplementation of NC enhanced the growth and health status of Oreochromis sp. and protected it from A. flavus infection. This study suggests the optimum inclusion level of NC is a 50–60 mg/kg diet.
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DOI: 10.3390/fishes8040208
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