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Abstract
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Six weeks feeding trial was conducted to examine the effects of
dietary administration of low molecular weight sodium alginate (LMWSA)
and Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5M (PA) on humoral and mucosal immune
responses, haematological parameters and growth performance, of Lates
calcarifer juveniles. Fish (12.0 ± 0.2 g ) were fed experimental diets as
follows: Control (diet 1, basal diet), 5 g kg-1 LMWSA (diet 2), 10 g kg-1
LMWSA (diet 3), 0.9 × 107 CFU g-1 PA (diet 4), 5 g kg-1 LMWSA 0.9 × 107
CFU g-1 PA (Diet 5), and 10 g kg-1 LMWSA 0.9 × 107 CFU g-1 PA (Diet 6).
Results indicated a significant (P < 0.05) increase in innate immune
parameters including serum lysozyme, bactericidal, hemolytic and
respiratory burst activities as well as mucosal immune responses
including lysozyme and bactericidal activities, when diet was
supplemented with immunostimulants. Moreover, the combined effects of
LMWSA with PA resulted in more pronounced immunological responses
compared to the control and singular administration. Red and white blood
cell counts significantly increased with either singular or combined
administration of LMWSA and PA compared with the control group (P <
0.05). The singular administration of PA and combined supplementation of
5 g kg-1 LMWSA with PA significantly increased growth performance and
feed intake compared with other experimental groups (P < 0.05). These
results indicated that combined administration of LMWSA and PA can be
considered as beneficial feed additive and immunostimulant in L.
calcarifer juveniles.
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