Dietary Myo-D-Chiro Inositol Improves Growth, Digestion, Antioxidant Activity and Mucus Barrier in Cyprinus Carpio

Aquaculture is the fastest growing sector that meets the rising demand of food security worldwide. Inositol obtained from dietary sources is believed to support growth, improve nutrient absorption and boost antioxidant defense in aquatic species. This study aimed to evaluate how the inositol supplementation influences on growth performance, digestive efficiency, antioxidant status and the skin mucus barrier in Cyprinus carpio. For this treatment three treatment groups were assigned in which 60 fingerlings were split equally. T0 (control group) was fed with basal diet, T1 was treated with 210mg inositol and T2 was treated with 420 mg inositol. The body weight and average daily weight gain observed weekly. Results showed that T1 group significantly enhanced growth rate (9.88±2.57) while minimum growth rate was observed in T0 (6.875±0.818). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) higher in To (0.970±0.367) and specific growth rate (13.00±7.38) were significantly higher in T1. Meanwhile antioxidant enzymes including catalase (148.33±6.51), superoxide dismutase (74.33±4.04) and peroxidase (0.2900±0.0265) were also highest in T1, suggesting optimal oxidative stress protection at moderate inositol levels as compared to T2. Similarly, digestive enzyme activities alpha amylase (175.33±7.02) and lipase (111.33±4.04) were most elevated in T1 highlighting enhanced digestive efficiency as compared to T2 (111.33 ± 4.04). Meanwhile, skin mucus thickness and quality were significantly greater in T2 (20.950±0.354) . These findings suggested that while 210 mg/kg inositol in T1 enhances antioxidant, digestive functions and effectively improved growth, feed efficiency, absolute weight gain while T2 treated with 420 mg/kg improved skin mucus layer. This study demonstrated the multifaceted benefits of inositol in aquaculture and emphasizes the importance of dosage optimization for targeted physiological outcomes in common carp.