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¹ College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China
² State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-Introduction Bioresources, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, P.R. China.
³ Foshan DBN Huilin Aquaculture Science & Technology Co. Ltd, Foshan, 524500, P.R. China DOI : 10.4194/1303-2712-v21_1_04 Viewed : 3190 - Downloaded : 3485 An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) on growth performance, antioxidant status and morphological indexes in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Resistance to Streptococcus agalactiae was also assessed based on a 192h challenge experiment after feeding trial. Fish (initial mean weight 4.05±0.05g) were held in 21 tanks (volume 300L, 30 fish/tank), with triplicate treatment groups being fed to apparent satiation three times each day on practical diets adding different levels of MOLM (0, 0.1, 0.5, 2, 5, 10 and 20%). Sampling procedure was performed after 24h of fasting. Growth metrics showed no significant differences among groups. Whole-body lipid content, viscerosomatic index and intraperitoneal fat ratio were decreased as dietary MOLM levels increasing. Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and reduced glutathione content (GSH) were significantly influenced by MOLM. Moreover, the lowest cumulative mortality rate (CMR) after challenge experiment was noted in 10% group. Based on CMR and quadratic regression analysis of liver GSH content, it was concluded that dietary MOLM levels of 8.15-10.00% may be beneficial for enhancing resistance to S. agalactiae infection. Our results suggest that the maximum additive amount of MOLM reached 20% under the condition of the present study. Keywords : Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Lipotropic effect, Moringa oleifera, Oreochromis niloticus