Nano-Curcumin as a Functional Feed Additive for the Nile Tilapia: Impacts on Growth, Health, and Gene Expression | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Volume 29, Issue 5, September and October 2025, Pages 2879-2901 PDF (477.93 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2025.432683.6789 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Hesham Abozaid* 1; Hamed A. A. Omar2; Dr Dalia M Aboelhassan3; Ali S.M. El-Nadi4; Inas Ghaly5; Hasnaa A Radwan5; Wafaa T Abbas6; Ahmed M. Youssef7; Yasser Ahmed El-Nomeary8 | ||
| 1Department of Animal Production, Agricultural and Biology Institute. National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth Street, P.O:12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| 2Department of Animal Production, Agricultural and Biology Institute. National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt. | ||
| 333 st Tahrir | ||
| 41Animal Production Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Bohouth Street, P.O: 12622, Dokki, Giza, Egypt. | ||
| 5Cell Biology Department, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt | ||
| 6Dep of Hydrobiology, Vet Res Div National Research Centre | ||
| 7Packaging Materials Department, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St. (former El Tahrir St.), Dokki, Giza, P.O. 12622, Egypt | ||
| 8National research centre | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with nano-curcumin at levels of 0, 50, 100, and 150mg/ kg of feed (G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, blood biochemical parameters, and gene expression of the Nile tilapia. A total of 120 fingerlings were used in the experiment, distributed evenly among the treatment groups. They were acclimated and then randomly allocated and distributed across 12 aquariums with 10 fries each, having an initial average weight of 251.75±0.494g per aquarium. Experimental diets seemed to be iso-caloric and nitrogenous among the four tested diets. Values of FW, TBWG, ADG, SGR, RGR, FI, CPI, and PER were significantly increased when fish group received diets containing 50, 100, and 150mg nano-curcumin/ kg diet in comparison with the control group. In addition, FCR was significantly improved. Serum protein, albumin, and globulin levels were significantly (P˂0.05) increased in all nano-curcumin treated groups. Values of ALT, AST, uric acid, and creatinine showed non-significant (P˃0.05) changes, while glucose and cholesterol exhibited a significant decrease (P˂0.05) with a 150mg/ kg diet (G4). Nano-curcumin supplementation modulated the hepatic GH–IGF axis in the Nile tilapia in a dose-dependent manner. A moderate level (50mg nano-cucumin/ kg diet) enhanced IGF1 expression and growth potential, whereas higher doses (100 and 150mg nano-cucumin/ kg diet) reduced IGF1 but sustained elevated GH expression, suggesting a shift toward metabolic or stress-adaptive functions. Practically, a diet of 50mg nano-cucumin/kg appears optimal for promoting growth-related gene expression, although higher doses may still support resilience. It can be mentioned that, under the condition that it is available, the incorporation of nano-curcumin at different levels enhances growth performance, total protein, albumin, and globulin values, has no hazardous effect on liver and kidney functions, and improves gene expression. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Nano-curcumin; The Nile tilapia fingerlings; Performance; Feed utilization; Biochemical parameters; Gene expression | ||
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