Abstract
Globally, with the expansion of aquaculture, the demand for functional feeds is continuously increasing, and effort is in progress to improve the efficiency of the feed additives. Herein, nano-scale chitosan (CNP) with an average size < 35 nm was prepared by using an ionotropic gelation method, and a completely randomized feeding experiment in three replicates under mimic aquaculture conditions was conducted to evaluate its efficiency as feed additive with respect to micro-scale chitosan (CH). Three 35% protein experimental diets, C-0 without supplement while C-1 and C-2 supplemented with CH and CNPs, respectively, at the same inclusion level, i.e., 5 g kg−1 diet was prepared and fed to the respective groups of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. The experiment was continued for successive 60 days. The results indicated most significant (P < 0.05) effect of CNPs on the growth performance parameters (% weight gain, specific growth rate, and average daily weight gain), feed conversion ratio, non-specific immunity (WBCs count, lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin levels, phagocytic and respiratory burst activities), and resistance against Staphylococcus aureus infection. However, CH-supplementation did not show any profound effects on the growth rate (P < 0.05) with decreased plasma cholesterol level (P > 0.001). Our results indicate the improved efficiency of CNPs and recommend it as a feed additive to enhance fish productivity and fish immune response towards the invading pathogens.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) for providing the scanning electron microscopy facility for sample analysis.
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The Quaid-i-Azam University research board provided the funds for this research
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All experimental procedures were approved by the Quaid-i-Azam University’s animal welfare committee (BEC-FBS-67-QAU-2018). The fish were handled according to the ethics guidelines of the society for the prevention of cruelty to animal (SPCA) Pakistan.
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Research highlights
• The efficiency of feed additive can be improved with the application of nanotechnology.
• Micro- and nano-scale chitosan as a feed additive in silver carp were evaluated.
• Nano-scale chitosan (CNPs) significantly improved the growth performance of silver carp. CNPs also showed the most significant effect on the immune response of the fish.
• CNPs in contrast to chitosan (CH) significantly improve the resistance of silver carp against S. aureus
• CNPs can be regarded as a promising candidate for increasing fish productivity.
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Younus, N., Zuberi, A., Mahmoood, T. et al. Comparative effects of dietary micro- and nano-scale chitosan on the growth performance, non-specific immunity, and resistance of silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix against Staphylococcus aureus infection. Aquacult Int 28, 2363–2378 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-020-00595-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-020-00595-0