Dietary Effect of ixora coccinea Supplemented with Organic Acid on the Hematological and Biochemical Response to Nile Tila.
INTRODUCTION
Aquaculture is a global endeavor that is fast growing and helping the economy. Fish are cultured for food and turnover to support the rising human population, as well as restocking lakes, rivers, and streams to alleviate shortages caused by overfishing of capture fisheries, and for sport fishing (FAO, 2000)
The world’s population is increasing at an exponential rate, necessitating simultaneous growth in food production. By 2050, the world’s population is predicted to increase from 7.3 billion to more than 9 billion people (UN Press Release, 2019). The world’s expanding desire for nutritious and healthy food has boosted demand for fisheries products from both inland and marine sources, which are already overburdened. Aquaculture output, on the other hand, has expanded in recent years in order to mitigate the effect of stagnation in ocean fisheries.
Aquaculture’s rapid expansion has resulted in a rise of bacterial viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases, as well as some environmental interactions. Infectious pathogens, health concerns, and economic losses caused by these pathogens are among the most serious issues confronting fish farming businesses. Antibiotics, hormones, chemotherapeutics, and vitamins have been used in aquaculture for many years to avoid or lessen their effects (Citarasu 2010). However, due to bacterial resistance and/ or risk to human health, the use of antibiotics as a feed additive has been prohibited in the European Union since 2006. The use of plant -based material as a feed ingredient has been a good alternative for managing bacterial infections, boosting growth performance, and lowering mortality by safeguarding the health of the gastrointestinal microbiota since this prohibition was enacted (Abdel -Tawwab et al., 2010).
With an annual growth rate of roughly 11.5 percent, tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture is widely practiced in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is the third largest group of farmed finfish, behind carp and salmonids. Much of the recent rapid increase in aquaculture productivity has come from expanding existing systems. Increased stocking densities can make fish more vulnerable to stress and disease, which can negatively impact or cause stock loss (Schreck, 1996).
Medicinal plants have long been used as disease cures because they contain medicinal components (Adegoke et al., 2012). Antioxidant, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, analgesic, insecticidal, antiparasitic, anti-coccidial, appetite enhancer, stimulator of bile production, and digestive enzyme activity are just some of the qualities of this medicinal plant (Denev, 2008)
The use of medicinal herbs in aquaculture is a relatively recent field of study that has shown promising outcomes. These plants can be used alone or with organic acid as a supplement
The evergreen shrub Ixora coccinea Linn. (Rubiaceae), often known as jungle of geranium or red ixora, is distributed throughout India. The stem, bloom, and leaves are used to treat a variety of ailments (NISCIR 1992). The primary chemicals present in ixora coccinea, according to phytochemical research, are lupeol, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acids, sitosterol, and proanthocyanidic acid (Ayyanar et al,2009). Anushal et al. (2019) found that feeding fish a diet containing Ixora coccinea reduces Aeromonas load on the host and improves serum albumin, globulin, and protein levels. The diet also considerably increased RBC and haemoglobin levels.
Organic acids (OA) are organic molecules containing one or more carboxyl groups that are created by bacterial fermentation in a variety of metabolic routes and circumstances (Ng 2017). While the use of OA as feed additives has a long history of improving performance and health in terrestrial livestock, particularly pigs and poultry (Samanta et al.,2010), the use of these substances as growth promoters in aqua feed is new and moderate due to limited research, but it is expected to grow significantly in the coming years (Ng 2017). As functional additives in aquafeed, OA has been shown to: (1) lower feed pH, improving feed hygiene, and (2) modify gut intestine pH and enzyme activity, improving nutrient digestion and feed utilization (Pandey et al.,2008), (3) regulate enteric colonization of opportunistic microorganisms to alter beneficial gut microbiota, and (4) enhance animal welfare (Elala et al.,2015)
1.2 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY
In recent years, medicinal plants have increasingly been adopted by aquaculture sector. In the study of Adebayo et al. (2020) revealed that lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaf meal significantly improved the blood profile of the fish, which was confirmed in the challenge test.
These supplements not only offer an alternative to antibiotics but have also been linked to enhanced haematological and biochemical performance. However, several studies have been done on different plants products in different fish species such as Oregano in Zebra fish (Rashidian et al.2021), Ixora coccinea in ornamental Gold fish (Anushal et al., 2019).
Nevertheless, little or no empirical data has been recorded on the use of ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid on Oreochromis niloticus.
Hence, the aim of this study is to assess if Ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid is promising to enhance the haematological and biochemical responses of Nile tilapia.
1.3 Â OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.3.1 Â General Objectives
To determine whether ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid would improve the blood profile and immuno-biochemical response to Nile tilapia
1.3.2 Â Specific Objectives
- To evaluate the effect of ixora-organic acid blend on the blood profile of Nile Tilapia
- To assess the immuno-biochemical response of Nile Tilapia fed ixora-organic acid blend
1.2 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY
In recent years, medicinal plants have increasingly been adopted by aquaculture sector. In the study of Adebayo et al. (2020) revealed that lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) leaf meal significantly improved the blood profile of the fish, which was confirmed in the challenge test.
These supplements not only offer an alternative to antibiotics but have also been linked to enhanced haematological and biochemical performance. However, several studies have been done on different plants products in different fish species such as Oregano in Zebra fish (Rashidian et al.2021), Ixora coccinea in ornamental Gold fish (Anushal et al., 2019). Nevertheless, little or no empirical data has been recorded on the use of ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid on Oreochromis niloticus.
Hence, the aim of this study is to assess if Ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid is promising to enhance the haematological and biochemical responses of Nile tilapia.
1.3 Â OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.3.1 Â General Objectives
To determine whether ixora coccinea supplemented with organic acid would improve the blood profile and immuno-biochemical response to Nile tilapia
1.3.2 Â Specific Objectives
- To evaluate the effect of ixora-organic acid blend on the blood profile of Nile Tilapia
- To assess the immuno-biochemical response of Nile Tilapia fed ixora-organic acid blend
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Â IXORA COCCINEA
Herbal medicine is gaining popularity as a therapeutic alternative to existing synthetic medications for a variety of conditions, owing to lower costs and fewer side effects. Medicinal plants have yielded a variety of chemical substances. More than 70% of the population of the developing world today relies on the traditional medicinal system, often known as alternative medicine (Azazieh et al., 2010). Medicinal herbs are becoming increasingly important as raw materials for major medications in modern medicine.
The name “Ixora” is a Portuguese variant of Iswari, the name of the Goddess Parvati to whom the blossoms of Ixora coccinea are presented, and “coccinea” is a Latin term that means “scarlet colored” (Patil DA 2007 ). It produces multiple flowers in dense, senssile corymbiform cymes that are bright scarlet in color. Ixora coccinea is an Indian plant that is predominantly found in the Konkan region. It is grown as an ornamental plant throughout India (Varier VPS 2010).
It is commonly known as “Jungle of Geranium”, “Flame of Woods”, or “Red Ixora” and is an evergreen shrub found throughout India. Depending on the medical condition, the flowers, leaves, roots, and the stem are used to treat various ailments in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, and also in various folk medicines.
Ixora coccinea can be seen growing in abundance in dry areas with somewhat acidic soil. The plants are heavily branched and reach a height of three meters in most cases. The stems are grayish in color and have a diameter of 3 to 4 cm at the base. The leaves are oblong in shape and dark green in color. Each individual flower is tubular with four or five calyx lobes, and the inflorescences are terminal, dense corymbs with around 15 to 50 blooms (Whistler et al., 2000) Flowers that are crimson or red-orange in hue are produced by wild plant varieties. Plants with white, yellow, salmon, or pink flowers, on the other hand, are common and are now cultivated and sold in horticultural stores. These plants are also available in dwarf versions, which are often utilized in landscaping and as indoor plants. Fruits are meaty, globose berries that are green when unripe and dark blood crimson or purplish-black when fully ripe. When compared to the size of the fruit, the fruits contain two seeds that are correspondingly large. (Liogie, 1997).
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