Assessment of the ameliorating effects of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale) on lead-induced waterborne toxicity in Thaila, Catla catla

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the protective potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) powder as a dietary supplement in mitigating lead (Pb) toxicity in Catla catla. The fish were distributed to six experimental groups (control, control-Pb, Pb + 5 g kg^-1 GiP, Pb + 10 g kg^-1 GiP, Pb + 15 g kg^-1 GiP, and Pb + 20 g kg^-1 GiP), with three replicates per group. Fish were fed a daily diet comprising 5% of their total body weight for a 60-day experimental period. Following the experiment, the growth performance, body composition, Pb accumulation in tissues, blood parameters, and intestinal enzymatic activity were assessed. The study revealed that Pb exposure in water had harmful effects on the aforementioned parameters. Conversely, dietary ginger supplementation exerted beneficial effects on the physiological parameters of C. catla. Supplementation with 10 g kg^-1 GiP significantly enhanced the growth, body composition, hematological profile, digestive enzyme activity, and survival rate of the fish. Additionally, this treatment significantly decreased Pb accumulation in fish tissues. Overall, our findings indicate that dietary supplementation with Z. officinale (10 g kg^-1) effectively ameliorates Pb toxicity and improves the overall health and well-being of C. catla.