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Fish and Shellfish Immunology
Elseiver
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Abstract: |
Several studies have looked into the use of basil, Ocimum basilicum (L.) in aquaculture as a dietary additive;
however, more research is needed to see the possibility of it’s including in nanocarriers in aquafeeds. An
experiment was undertaken to highlight the efficacy chitosan-Ocimum basilicum nanocomposite (COBN), for the
first time, on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth, stress and antioxidant status, immune-related parameters, and gene expression. For 60 days, fish (average weight: 23.55 ± 0.08 g) were fed diets provided with
different concentrations of COBN (g/kg): 0 g [COBN0], 1 g [COBN1], 2 g [COBN2], and 3 g [COBN3], where
COBN0 was kept as control diet. Following the trial, the fish were challenged with pathogenic bacteria (Aeromonas sobria) and yeast (Candida albicans) infection. In comparison to the control (COBN0), a notable increase in
growth parameters (weight gain, feed intake, and specific growth rate) and intestinal morphometric indices
(average intestinal goblet cells count, villous width, and length) in all COBN groups was observed, where COBN2
and COBN3 groups had the highest values. The COBN diets significantly (p < 0.05) declined levels of serum
triglycerides, glucose, cholesterol, and hepatic malondialdehyde. Moreover, the higher levels of serum
biochemical biomarkers (growth hormone, total protein, globulin, and albumin), immunological parameters
(phagocytic activity%, nitric oxide, and lysozyme), and hepatic antioxidant parameters (superoxide dismutase,
total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase) were obvious in the COBN2 and COBN3 groups followed
by COBN1. The immune-antioxidant genes (TNF-α, IL-10, IL-1β, TGF-β, GPx, and SOD) were found to be
considerably up-regulated in all COBN groups (COBN2 and COBN3 followed by COBN1). Fifteen days postchallenge with A. sobria and C. albicans, the highest survival rate was recorded in the COBN2 group (83.33
and 91.67%) followed by the COBN3 group (75 and 83.33%), respectively. The findings showed that a dietary
intervention with COBN can promote growth, intestinal architecture, immunity, and antioxidant markers as well
as protect O. niloticus against A. sobria and C. albicans infection. As a result, the COBN at a dose of 2 g/kg could be
used as a food additive for the sustainable aquaculture industry.
DOI:10.1016/j.fsi.2022.08.020
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