Researchers from House Wellness Foods and Kafrelsheikh University in Egypt released a study that tested the effect of immunobiotic-based Feed LP20® in genetically improved farmed tilapia. The primary ingredient of Feed LP20® is heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137), a Bacillus that is able to support innate immune functions and ward off destructive cellular activity before its effects need the use of solutions such as antibiotics and antimicrobials.
Fish were fed a control diet (HKL0) or a diet supplemented with HK L-137 at concentrations of 50 (HKL50), 100 (HKL100) or 1000 (HKL1000) mg kg−1 feed for 12 weeks.
Results showed that HK L-137 modulated digestive enzyme activity, blood health, oxidative responses, and growth-related gene expression significantly improving the performance parameters such as final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, and feed efficiency ratio (FBW, WG, SGR, FER). Fish also exhibited expanded mucosal thickness and villi length which promote increased dietary nutrient utilization. A significantly increased amylase, lipase and protease activity was also observed.
Feed LP20® modulated blood hematocrit and hemoglobin levels, RBC and WBC counts while decreasing total cholesterol and GPT. Additionally, antioxidative enzyme (SOD and CAT) activity was raised while MDA levels were lowered. Fish fed HK L-137 also showed enhanced total serum protein and IgM levels.
House Wellness Foods will share these results at Aquaculture Europe that will be held in Berlin from October 7 – 9.
Read full study here.
