Effects of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf extract on growth performance, enzyme activity and non-specific immune parameters in rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)

A 60-day study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) on growth, enzyme activity and non-specific immune parameters in rohu Labeo rohita. To ascertain this, 180 fingerlings of L. rohita (average weight 12.24±0.5 g) were randomly distributed into four groups based on the level of inclusion of M. oleifera leaf extract viz., control (C): basal diet without extract, T1: 2.5 g (0.25%), T2: 5 g (0.5%) and T3: 10 g (1%) extract per kg of basal feed per day respectively. After 60 days, results revealed that experimental fish significantly (p<0.05) improved growth, digestive enzymes viz., amylase and total protease activity in all the treatments compared to the control with the highest performance in T3. In addition, serum antioxidative enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were also significantly (p<0.05) enhanced in the treatment groups. Myeloperoxidase, respiratory burst activity, alternative complement activity and total serum protein were significant (p<0.05) in fish administered 10 g of M. oleifera leaf extract via basal diet. Conclusively, dietary supplementation of M. oleifera leaf extract at 0.5% ~1% through basal feed significantly improved growth, enzyme activity and important immunological parameters in L. rohita. Keywords: Antioxidant, Aquaculture, Dietary supplement, Growth, Immunity, Indian major carp