Red seaweed Pyropia columbina as antioxidant supplement in feed for cultured juvenile Pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect of red seaweed Pyropia columbina on juvenile Pacú (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Two hundred and ten (n = 210) fish were fed for 90 days with a control extruded feed (CEF) or the same feed added with P. columbina (35 g kg−1) (PcEF). No significant difference in final bodyweight, specific growth rate, condition factor, and liver somatic index was detected between dietary treatments (p > 0.05). Fish fed with PcEF showed lower lipid peroxidation (28.2 ± 2.9 vs. 39.4 ± 3.7 mmol malondialdehyde mg−1 protein) and superoxide dismutase (23.3 ± 2.3 vs. 37.7 ± 3.0 U mg−1 protein) and reduced SOD/CAT ratio (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 8.1 ± 0.7) in intestine than those fed with CEF (p < 0.05). These results also were observed in liver and white muscle, indicating a systemic effect. No difference in glutathione S-transferase and catalase (CAT) activity in intestine, liver, and white muscle was detected between dietary treatments (p > 0.05). PcEF showed higher hemoglobin (7.5 ± 0.4 vs. 6.6 ± 0.3 g 100 mL−1) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (18.4 ± 1.8 vs. 25.7 ± 2.7%) than those fed with CEF diet (p < 0.05). Beneficial effects on lipid metabolism were observed in fish fed with PcEF respect to control diet. Pyropia columbina could be used as a natural antioxidant ingredient in fish feeding contributing a better nutritional status of cultured fish.