Terminalia arjuna bark powder as a nutritive additive for enhancing fish health and environmental sustainability

As the aquaculture industry expands to satisfy rising worldwide seafood demand, the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly feed additives becomes more important. Our research has found Terminalia arjuna bark powder (TABP) as a viable natural alternative to synthetic chemicals, with the potential to significantly improve fish growth, health, and survival. We demonstrated the efficacy of TABP as a growth promoter and immunostimulant in Labeo rohita fingerlings through a series of experiments (feed trial, challenge studies, antibiogram studies, disease resistance, stress mitigation, and so on), with the best results obtained at a concentration of 10 g/kg feed. This finding has far-reaching consequences for the aquaculture industry, providing a long-term answer to the environmental and health concerns raised by synthetic additives. In this post, we will present an overview of TABP research and its potential as a game-changing feed additive for sustainable fish production. Terminalia arjuna extracts shown anti-parasitic action against Argulus bengalensis in Labeo rohita juveniles, with TAEB being the most effective. The extracts also shown antibacterial and antifungal activity against a variety of bacterial strains and fungi, with Br5 (Ethanolic bark extract of Terminalia arjuna) being the most potent. The investigations found phytochemical substances such as Ellagic acid, 18-β-Glycyrrhetinic acid, Azelaic acid, and Caffeic acid as responsible for antibacterial action. The extracts have the potential to operate as natural antibacterial agents, providing an alternative to antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections in fish and animals. Our findings underscore the value of interdisciplinary research collaborations, as well as the need for ongoing research into natural product uses in tackling the aquaculture industry's complex difficulties.