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Response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum-based diet on growth performance and Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection


A.A. Nwabueze
J.K. Ekelemu
O.A. Owe

Abstract

The response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum on growth performance and as anti-bacterial agent in Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection was evaluated. A. sativum was included at 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% in fish diet. Twenty fish samples each were randomly distributed into four tanks (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight for twelve weeks. All fish were challenged with 0.5ml of pure culture of S. aureus. A significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight, total length and standard length was observed. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion promoted highest growth with feed conversion ratio (1.25-1.41), protein efficiency ratio (1.72-0.56), specific growth rate (1.92-2.09), condition factor (0.83-1.99) and survival rate (60-95). Fish-fed A. sativum diet showed that 4.5% inclusion had the least S. aureus activity. Bacteria load significantly (P<0.05) decrease at week 12. Culture water had dissolved oxygen of 4.0 - 4.2 mg/L, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature of 26.0-28.0oC. This study has shown that A. sativum supplemented diets enhanced growth of C. gariepinus and functioned as antibacterial agent against S. aureus. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion in diet is recommended for better fish growth and 4.5% A. sativum for antibacterial action.


Keywords: Fish, herb, growth, infection


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eISSN: 2659-1499
print ISSN: 2659-1502