Essential oil from ginger influences the growth, haematological and biochemical variables and histomorphometry of intestine and liver of Nile tilapia juveniles

• Published in: Aquaculture 2021-03, Vol.534, p.736325, Article 736325
• Main Authors: Chung, Samantha, Ribeiro, Karina, Melo, José Fernando Bibiano, Teixeira, Daniel Vitor, Vidal, Luiz Vitor Oliveira, Copatti, Carlos Eduardo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cholesterol; Feed conversion rate; Intestinal histomorphometry; Leukocytes; Zingiberene
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.736325

Essential oils as food additives have the potential to increase the efficiency of nutrients in the diet of fish. The effect of essential oil of Zingiber officinale (EOZO) as a nutritional additive for Nile tilapia juveniles (Oreochromis niloticus) was evaluated. Five diets were evaluated (in quadruplicate) with increasing levels of EOZO (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mL kg diet−1) over 60 days. Zingiberene was the main constituent of EOZO (33.20%). Supplementation with 0.5 mL EOZO kg diet−1 improved growth performance and feed conversion rate. Fish fed EOZO diets improved leukocytes and haematological values and plasma cholesterol levels. In general, the increase of EOZO added in the diets increased hepatocyte number and reduced intestinal villus width and height and hepatocyte area and perimeter. Liver dysfunction was found in fish fed EOZO concentrations above 1.0 mL kg diet−1. In conclusion, the supplementation with 0.5 mL EOZO kg diet−1 could be indicated for Nile tilapia, as it improved growth performance, intestinal villi size and haematological variables, without compromising metabolism and hepatic histomorphometry. •Dietary addition of essential oil of Zingiber officinale (EOZO) was evaluated in Nile tilapia•Juveniles fed 0.5 mL EOZO kg diet−1 showed a better growth performance•Fish fed EOZO diets increased leukocytes, erythrocytes and haemoglobin•Plasma cholesterol and intestinal villus width reduced with increase in EOZO diets•Lipid storage in liver might depend on the high concentration of EOZO administered