Abstract
The growth, gut ecology and immunocompetence of Oreochromis niloticus and the resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila were investigated after been fed with diets containing dietary Curcumin longa for 12 weeks. Diets were formulated to contain 30% crude protein with diet TC1, TC2, TC3, TC4 and TC5 having 0% (control), 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75% and 1.0% turmeric powder, respectively. Diets were allotted to groups of O. niloticus (mean weight of 1.29± 0.15 g) and replicated thrice for 84 days. Results showed that the highest mean final weight (4.79±0.04 g) was obtained in TC3 and corresponded to the treatment with the highest feed intake. A significantly high (p<0.05) specific growth rate (SGR) was observed in TC3 (0.73±0.03 %day−1) while TC4 (0.57±0.02 %day−1) gave the lowest value. The highest microbial load in the gut was observed in TC1 groups and the least in TC4 groups. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume did not show significant variation (p>0.05) across treatments. However, white blood cell (WBC) count was significantly higher in TC1 (control). There was an improved immunocompetence, as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) progressively reduces in fish fed supplements. Similarly, there was a better oxidative response in the treated groups with reduced hydrogen peroxidase, increased total protein and glutathione peroxidase. Mortality ranged from 25% in TC4 to 95% in TC1 after the challenge test with A. hydrophila. This study showed that C. longa inclusion at 0.5% is more beneficial when growth and health status of O. niloticus juveniles are considered.