A Comparative Study on the Impact of Potassium Diformate and Butyric acid on Growth, Biochemistry, Innate Immunity, and Digestive Enzyme Activity in Huso huso

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of potassium diformate (KDF) and butyric acid (BA), both separately and in combination, on the growth performance, biochemical parameters, innate immune system, and digestive enzyme activity of Beluga (Huso huso). Fish (average weight of 28.39 ± 1.82 g) were divided into seven groups, each receiving a different diet: control, 2 g/kg^− 1 KDF, 5 g/kg^− 1 KDF, 10 g/kg^− 1 KDF, 2 g/kg^− 1 BA, 5 g/kg^− 1 BA, 10 g/kg^− 1 BA, and 5 g/kg^− 1 KDF + 5 g/kg^− 1 BA. The fish were fed twice daily at a rate of 2% of their biomass and water parameters were monitored throughout the experiment. At the end of the experiment, 45 fish (6 from each treatment diet) were euthanized, and their weight and blood samples were collected for analysis. The study revealed improved growth performance parameters in Beluga fish fed diets containing KDF and BA, either separately or together. However, there was a significant decrease in Specific Growth Rate (SGR) compared to the control group (P < 0.05).The KDF and BA supplements significantly reduced levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzymes, and increased serum total protein, globulin, albumin, lysozyme enzyme activity, and alternative complement pathway activity. Incorporating KDF and BA supplements also led to a notable increase in digestive enzyme activities (protease, trypsin, chymotrypsin, lipase, and alpha amylase), with the highest levels seen in the KDF 10 and KDF + BA groups (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that diets containing KDF and a combination of KDF and BA have a beneficial effect on the growth, metabolism, and immunity of Beluga fish. The study suggests that the incorporation of a combination of KDF and BA into the diet of Beluga fish can result in improved growth and enhanced immune system.