标题:The effects of dietary garlic ( Allium sativum) and Aloe vera crude extract mixtures supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, hematological parameters, whole body composition, and survival at low pH in African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus) juveniles
摘要:AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of dietaryAllium sativumandAloe verapolysaccharides mixtures on growth performance, feed utilization, hematological parameters, resistance against low water pH, and whole body composition of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) juveniles. Fish were divided into 5 triplicate groups before being fed diets supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0%A. veraandA. sativumpolysaccharides mixture /kg diet (1:1 proportion). Fish fed 1.0% and 0.5%A. vera-A. sativummixture supplemented diet had a significant increase (P< 0.05) in growth compared to unsupplemented ones, and those fed 2.0% and 4.0%. Similarly, among dietary groups, feed utilization indices were significantly improved (P< 0.05) in fish fed 1.0%A. vera-A. sativummixture supplemented diet when compared to unsupplemented ones, and those fed 2.0% and 4.0%. The optimum dietaryA. vera-A. sativummixture inclusion level was estimated to range between 0.66% and 0.8%. Overall,A. vera-A. sativummixture extracts had improved hematological indices when compared to unsupplemented fish. Fish fed 1.0%A. vera-A. sativummixture had the highest survival probability throughout the low water pH (5.0 – 57) challenge period. Moreover, fish fed diets supplemented with 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0%A. vera-A. sativummixture had significantly lower lipid content (P< 0.05) among the various groups. To fully optimize these extracts as dietary supplement in aquaculture, further similar and extended studies are deemed important.