Dietary Supplement of Tumeric (Curcuma longa) Powder: Impact on Haematological and Biochemical Responses in Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) Fingerlings

Abstract

Dietary supplementation with herbal extract in the diet of fish has been noted to increase aquaculture production through the improvement of immunity and other physiological dysfunctions related to fish health. A feeding trial was conducted to assess the impact of incorporating varied concentrations of turmeric powder (TP) on haematological and biochemical responses in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. Five test diets were composed as T1 ((control) (basal diet + 0 % TP)), T2 (basal diet + 1 % TP), T3 (basal diet + 2 % TP), T4 (basal diet + 3 % TP) and T5 (basal diet + 4 % TP). Fish specimens were apportioned into five groups in triplicate. Significantly lower (P<0.05) red blood cell count was found in those fed control diet compared with the other inclusion. Highest values of white blood cell count were noticed in T5 when compared with the control. There were significant differences in haemoglobin between T1 and T5. Highest values of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glucose and cholesterol level were found in T2 when compared with the control. TP can be used as feed supplement in the diet of C. gariepinus without any adverse effect on physiological responses of the fish.