Effect of dietary Aloe vera polysaccharides supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical parameters, and survival at low pH in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of dietary <em>Aloe vera</em> polysaccharides on growth performance, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance against low water pH in African catfish (<em>Clarias gariepinus</em>) fingerlings. Fish were divided into five triplicate groups before being fed feeds supplemented with 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 4.0% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed 1.0% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet had significantly increased (<em>P </em>< 0.05) growth parameters (i.e., final weight, weight gain, absolute growth rate, and specific growth rate) compared to unsupplemented ones. Among dietary groups, significantly lower feed conversion ratio was presented in fish fed 1.0% followed by those fed 0.5, 2.0%, and 4.0% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet (<em>P </em>< 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher (<em>P </em>< 0.05) in fish fed 1.0% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet compared to unsupplemented fish and those fed 4.0% <em>A. vera/</em>kg diet, respectively. Dietary <em>A. vera</em> polysaccharide crude extracts requirement suitable for growth and feed utilization was estimated to be between 1.76 and 1.79% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet. Overall, <em>A. vera</em> extracts had improved hemato-biochemical indices when compared to unsupplemented fish, and decreased some of the indices, especially at high dietary inclusion level (4%/kg diet). Furthermore, <em>A. vera</em>-supplemented fish had higher survival probability throughout the low water pH challenge period, except those fed 4% <em>A. vera</em>/kg diet and control diet.