Prebiotic potential of Azolla pinnata (R.Br.) and dietary inclusion effect of pulverised azolla on the growth performance of milkfish fingerlings

Christian Paul P. de la Cruz; Leendel Paul B.  Alap; Eduardo V. Manalili; Rosalie R. Rafael; Precious Dee H. Tolentino

doi:10.17017/j.fish.384

Christian Paul P. de la Cruz Laguna State Polytechnic University Los Baños Campus, Los Baños, Laguna 4030, Philippines
Leendel Paul B. Alap Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119, Philippines
Eduardo V. Manalili Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), Los Baños, Laguna 4030, Philippines
Rosalie R. Rafael Central Luzon State University, Muñoz, Nueva Ecija 3119, Philippines
Precious Dee H. Tolentino Laguna State Polytechnic University Los Baños Campus, Los Baños, Laguna 4030, Philippines

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17017/j.fish.384

Keywords: Azolla pinnata, growth, milkfish, phytogenic, prebiotics, oligosaccharides

Abstract

The growth of the aquaculture sector leads to a demand for sustainable feed ingredients. Prebiotics are potential sustainable feed ingredients that can promote the improved performance of aquaculture species without the use of antimicrobials. This study investigated the potential of Azolla pinnata as a candidate prebiotic source. Prebiotic characteristics and dietary effect of commercial diet (CD) with varying pulverised azolla (PA) inclusion was evaluated. Results showed that PA (9.40% moisture) constitutes around 16.1% ash, 22.3% crude fibre, 20.9% crude protein, 1.7% crude fat and 29.6% nitrogen-free extract. Crude xylan and cellulose content of PA were 13.7% and 12.6% dry matter (DM) respectively. Growth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in PA-supplemented MRS broth remarkably improved after 4 to 6 hours of incubation. Feeding trials results revealed that PA inclusion had no adverse effect on average survival of milkfish fingerlings, albeit significant improvement (p < 0.01) was noted in group fed with 2% PA-replaced CD in terms of the total weight gain (119.9%), specific growth rate (2.62% day^–1) and feed efficiency (79.9%). The present study demonstrated the prebiotic activity of PA, as well as its potential use as dietary feed component for improved growth and feed efficiency of cultured milkfish.

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