Comparative effects of inorganic, organic, and nanoparticulate forms of essential trace elements on growth performance, hematological indices, biochemical profiles, and antioxidant responses in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the effects of inorganic, organic, and nanoparticulate forms of some essential trace elements (ETEs) on the growth, hematology, digestive and antioxidant enzymes, and histology of intestine and liver of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer). Juvenile fish (3.16 ± 0.88 g) were stocked in twelve 300-liter fiberglass tanks at a density of 25 fish per tank. Three isonitrogenous diets were formulated, each containing one form of the selected ETEs (i.e. iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and cobalt (Co)), and one without supplemented ETEs, as the control. Following 60-day feeding trials, notable reductions in feed conversion ratio (FCR) and increases in the fillet lipid content were observed in diets supplemented with ETEs (P < 0.05), compare to the control. Additionally, growth parameters exhibited a marked increase in the nanoparticulate and organic groups (P < 0.05), while the nanoparticulate treatment demonstrated better performance. Hemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC) counts, and the activities of trypsin and chymotrypsin were significantly elevated in the nanoparticulate and organic groups (P < 0.05). Besides, the concentration of albumin and serum protein demonstrated an increase in fish fed the dietary ETEs compared to the control (P < 0.05). The measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) revealed a decrease in all supplemented ETEs groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the nanoparticulate and organic groups displayed higher levels (P < 0.05) at the end of the feeding trials and following the freshwater challenge. The bioaccumulation of elements in different tissues did not exhibit a discernible pattern. Overall, the findings suggest that ETE supplementation positively influences the physiological status of seabass, with nanoparticulate and organic forms demonstrating superior efficacy compared to the inorganic form.