Abstract

Effect of plant-based feed on the antioxidant enzymes, biochemical and hematological parameters of Oreochromis niloticus

Authors: Hifza Kiran, Safina Kousar, Faiza Ambreen, Rahila Ilyas and Sidra Abbas

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2022.009

Abstract
Due to the amino acid profile, high digestibility and palatability, fish meal plays a vital role in the aqua feed. However, stress on aquaculture production has intensified due to rising demand and uncertain fish meal supplies. As a result establishing a sustainable protein source is required to replace fish meal in the aquafeed. Chenopodium quinoa seeds were utilized to replace fish meal in aqua feed. This experiment revealed the effect of varying levels (0% (control), 15%, 30%, 45% and 60%) of quinoa seed meal diet on antioxidant enzymes, biochemical and haematological parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. The experiment was carried out with constant water pH (7.5), temperature (30°C) and hardness (300 mg/L) for 8 weeks. Results showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher value of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S transferase (GST) in the liver than the kidney of fish. The activities of SOD and GST in the selected organs of O. niloticus were significantly (p<0.05) increased with the increased inclusion of quinoa seed in the diet of fish. Mean ALT, AST and ALP values were 78.92±35.18 99.33±20.57 and 70.70±6.76 IU/L, respectively. A significant (p<0.05) increase in the concentration of haemoglobin content was observed in the fish, O. niloticus fed on a T3 diet. An increase in the values of the parameters was observed in the normal range in O. niloticus fed with C. quinoa-based diet at different treatment levels. Hence, C. quinoa seed meal appeared an excellent replacement for fish meal due to its high-quality protein and complete nutritional characteristics.

Keywords: Quinoa, Fishmeal, O. niloticus, Antioxidant enzyme, Biochemical and hematological parameters