EFFECT OF DIETARY POMEGRANATE PEEL (PUNICA GRANATUM) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BLOOD INDICES, AND IMMUNE RESPONSES OF NILE TILAPIA FINGERLINGS

The study examined the effects of dietary pomegranate peel (PP) on the growth performance, feed utilization, and immune response of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Four diets were formulated to include pomegranate peel at 0, 50, 70, and 90 g (PP) kg-1 diets and fed to the Nile tilapia fish (initial body weight, 9.8 ± 0.2 g/ fish) for 84 days. Compared to the control group, the average final weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed utilization parameters of the fish group fed 50 g (PP) kg-1 diets were improved. Results indicated that fish fed a 90 g (PP) kg-1 diet exhibited significant improvements (P<0.05) in carcass composition, including dry matter and ether extract, there was a significant decrease in the body's crude protein content. Fish groups fed diets including PP displayed decreased (P < 0.05) in AST and ALT values. However, the treatment with 90 g (PP)/ kg diet increased total protein. The highest values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cells, and white blood cell counts were observed in fish fed a 70 g (PP) kg-1 diet. Likewise, the supplemented diet with (PP) recorded the highest levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx but the lowest MDA value. In summary, the study demonstrated that pomegranate peel at levels of 50 to 70 g (PP)/ kg diet may enhance growth performance and stimulate immunostimulatory responses of Nile tilapia