Effects of dietary tamarind pulp extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Abstract

The effect of tamarind pulp extract (TPE) on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphometrics, body proximate composition, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia was determined. The fish were fed experimental diets formulated to contain 0.0 (control), 5, 10,15, or 20 g TPE/kg diet at 3% body weight daily for 84 days. Thereafter, a 14-day challenge test with A. hydrophila infection was done. The results showed that TPE supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the fish growth, protein efficiency ratio, apparent lipid and protein digestibility, villi height, and absorption area at levels of 10–20 g/kg diet compared to the control diet. Similarly, TPE supplementation increased the crude lipids and ash contents in the fish body. Post challenge fish fed TPE-supplemented diets showed a higher survival rate relative to fish fed the control diet. The results demonstrated that dietary TPE promoted growth, nutrient digestibility, and protection against A. hydrophila infection in Nile tilapia, and its inclusion at 15 g/kg diet is therefore recommended.