The Use of Natural Carotenoids and Growth Performance, Skin Pigmentation, and Immune Response in Fancy Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

摘要

Fancy carp were fed seven dietary treatments with natural pigment sources (tea, mulberry, cassava) at a specific rate to achieve a total carotenoid (TC) concentration in the diet of 25 mg/kg. Growth performance among treatments was not significantly different (p greater than or equal to 0.05). TC and skin redness (a*) of fish fed tea leaves was higher than the other treatments (p less than or equal to 0.05). Fish fed with tea extract and cassava leaves had higher serum astaxanthin concentrations than the other groups (p less than or equal to 0.05). This group also retained serum astaxanthin and red color better than other groups two weeks post treatment (p less than or equal to 0.05). Phagocytic activity was significantly greater in fish fed carotenoid supplements compared with the control group (P less than or equal to 0.05). Therefore, dietary supplementation with 25 mg/kg tea leaves is sufficient to obtain good coloration in fancy carp as well as enhance immunity.