Valorisation of brown seaweed (Sargassum wightii) waste as a feed ingredient in rohu (Labeo rohita): Effects on growth and metabolism

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the role of supercritical-fluid-extracted-seaweed residue as a feed ingredient. 120 Labeo rohita fingerlings with an average weight of 1.83 ± 0.25 g were randomly distributed into four experimental groups and fed with diets containing seaweed waste as a dietary supplement at 0, 150, 250 and 350 g / kg of feed for a period of 60 days. The beneficial role was assessed in terms of growth-performance, metabolic, and defense mechanism. Animals fed with seaweed-waste showed significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR). Activities of metabolic enzymes such as ALT, AST, LDH, MDH and SOD showed significantly lower activity in the animals fed with seaweed waste in the diet. The highest lysozyme activity was recorded in the animal's group fed with 250 g / kg of seaweed waste in the diet. Significantly, higher serum serotonin level was recorded in the animals fed with 250 g / kg of seaweed waste. It can be inferred, that the supplementation of seaweed waste as a fish feed ingredient at a 250 g / kg inclusion level improves the growth-performance, metabolic, and defense mechanisms in fish. Inclusion of seaweed waste as feed ingredients in the aqua-feed industry could possibly play an important role in reducing the cost of feed with added functional benefits.