Immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects of functional aquafeeds biofortified with whole Laminaria digitata in juvenile gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata)

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2024.1325244
• Publication Date: 2024-01-30T04:17:28Z
• Authors: Isa Marmelo; Marta Dias; Ana Grade; Pedro Pousão-Ferr...; Mário Sousa Diniz; António Marques; Ana Luísa Maulvault
• Keywords: Laminaria digitata

The increasing demand for healthy aquatic products has contributed to the rapid growth of aquaculture. Despite many progresses, over years, in aquaculture production, animal welfare and reduction stress induced by captivity remain a challenge this sector, overcoming it is fundamental improve performance resilience environmental threats (e.g., disease outbreaks and/or climate change impacts). To address challenge, aquafeeds biofortified with natural ingredients functional properties, such as macroalgae, have emerged promising strategy enhance fish immunity. present study aimed at evaluating potential Laminaria digitata juvenile gilthead seabream ( Sparus aurata ) physiological status resilience, through modulation immunomodulatory antioxidant responses. explore hypothesis, four independent treatments were carried out which fed different experimental aquafeeds: control feed feeds 1.5%, 3% 6% whole L. (incorporated dried powdered ingredient). Fish n =9) collected from each treatment upon 30 60 days biofortification order assess condition indexes, haematological parameters, innate humoral parameters (antiprotease (AP) activity, peroxidase (POD) activity immunoglobulin M (IgM)) oxidative biomarkers (lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT) glutathione S-transferase (GST) superoxide dismutase (SOD) total capacity (T-AOC)). Significant differences (α = 0.05) between biomarker responses tested nested-design ANOVA, followed Tukey HSD multiple comparisons. Pearson correlations endpoints also explored. Results indicate that dietary inclusion 1.5% most effective dose, significantly improving S. , levels CAT, GST T-AOC, along LPO levels. Additionally, enhances immunity IgM POD, while maintaining indices fish. These findings underscore utilization ingredient relevant immune attributes.