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The effectiveness of single versus combined dietary supplementation of multi‐strain probiotics and exogenous multi‐enzyme (Ronozyme®) on growth indices, feed utilization and gastrointestinal functions of Siberian sturgeon was investigated for 10 weeks. A feeding trial was performed in triplicate with the juveniles (N = 240; 138.1 g), which were fed on C: basal diet (control), E: 62.5 mg/kg Ronozyme® (25 mg/kg xylanase, 30 mg/kg protease and 7.5 mg/kg phytase), P: 2 g/kg probiotics mixture (Pediococcus pentosaceus 1 × 109 and Lactococcus lactis 1 × 108 CFU/g) and P + E diets. Upon the completion of the feeding trial, the group fed with dietary P + E showed the highest final body weight and metabolic weight gain; however, the lowest feed conversion ratio was calculated in E and P + E groups (p < 0.05). Protein and lipid efficiency ratios were significantly decreased in the control group (p < 0.05). The highest and lowest crude protein and lipid contents were recorded in P + E treatment, respectively (p < 0.05). The height, width and area of intestinal villi in the fish fed with treated diets were higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The activities of lipase and protease were increased in P and P + E groups (p < 0.05). The load of lactic acid bacteria was upregulated in the fish gut fed with P and P + E diets (p < 0.05). Overall, the combination of the probiotics mixture and multi‐enzyme significantly improved the metabolism and digestibility of Siberian sturgeon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the combination of different ratios of soluble and insoluble linseed fibre for silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen). For this, the soluble and insoluble fractions were concentrated separately and combined in four ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4), which were added to silver catfish diets and evaluated in a bioassay. After 45 days of receiving the experimental diets, the animals were submitted to biometry to collect data and tissues. The experimental design was completely randomized, with five treatments and four replications and the means were compared by Tukey's test (p <.05). Diets 1:2 and 1:4 provided higher weight gain, specific growth rate and crude protein deposition to the fish, whereas only the 1:4 diet reflected higher crude body protein. The 1:0.5 diet altered the trypsin activity in the intestine, and, together with the 1:4 diet, it provided a higher intestinal villi height. Body yield, somatic and digestive parameters, chymotrypsin activity and glucose, glycogen and liver protein were not altered, regardless of the experimental diets. In conclusion, the results indicate that linseed fibre acts effectively as a growth promoter in silver catfish diets, with the use of 1:2 and 1:4 ratios optimizing its prebiotic action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding Houttuynia cordata leaf meal and extract on the growth performance, nutrient utilization and expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Two hundred seventy fingerlings were randomly distributed in six experimental groups in triplicates. Six isonitrogenous (350 g/kg CP) and isocaloric (17 MJ/kg DE) diets were prepared with graded levels of leaf meal (LM) and leaf extract (LE), namely C (control, without LE and LM), LE‐0.25 (2.5 g/kg LE), LE‐0.5 (5 g/kg LE), LE‐1.0 (10 g/kg LE), LM‐1.0 (10 g/kg LM) and LM‐2.0 (20 g/kg LM). Significantly (p < 0.05) higher IGF‐I expression, weight gain %, specific growth rate and lower feed conversion ratio were observed in LM‐1.0 followed by LE‐1.0 group compared to control group. Higher protease activity was observed in LE‐1.0 compared to other experimental groups, while no significant changes were found for amylase and lipase activities. Compared to control, muscle alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were significantly higher in treatment groups except for LM‐2.0. These results suggest that either LE‐1.0 or LM‐1.0 can be supplemented in the diet to improve the growth of L. rohita. However, the supplementation of 10 g H. cordata leaf meal/kg feed can be the better option considering the cost of extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penaeus monodon postlarvae were fed with different percentages (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) of the herbal appetizer Zingiber officinalis enriched Artemia. After 30 days of culture (i.e. PL-1–30), a very positive result was found in Z. officinalis-enriched Artemia-fed postlarvae. The unenriched Artemia-fed postlarvae consumed 91.0 mg/animal/30 days of feed, whereas the Z. officinalis-enriched Artemia increased their consumption to 127.9 mg/animal/30 days. A similar pattern was noticed in feed absorbed (110.2 mg), dry weight growth (26.7 mg) and feed catabolized (83.2 mg) in Z. officinalis-enriched Artemia because of enzymatic activities. The conversion efficiency of unenriched postlarva was 17.19%, whereas in 100% Z. officinalis-enriched Artemia, the maximum conversion efficiency was 20.85%. The net production efficiency increased significantly ( P < 0.05) to 22% from that of the unenriched Artemia-fed postlarvae. The administration of Z. officinalis in all levels produced significantly ( P < 0.05) higher weight gain and specific growth rate. The utilization efficiency of feed increased proportionately to the percentages of Z. officinalis. Digestive enzyme activity (amylase, protease and lipase) increased significantly ( P < 0.05) in the 50%, 75% and 100% enrichment. Among the different percentages of enrichment, the 100% Z. officinalis-enriched Artemia-fed postlarvae performed better in the overall status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]