Keywords
Additives
Intestinal microbiome
amylase
Fish
Intestinal morphology
Aquaculture feed
Intestinal microbiome
amylase
Fish
Intestinal morphology
Aquaculture feed
Abstract
The dietary effects of Xylopia aethiopica supplementation on gut health in hybrid African catfish (Clarias gariepinus ♀ × Heterobranchus bidorsallis ♂) were evaluated. Five isonitrogenous diets containing graded levels of X. aethiopica (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 %) were administered to assess changes in gut microbiota composition, digestive enzyme activities, and intestinal histology, to identify the optimal inclusion level for gut function. Supplementation with X. aethiopica significantly reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria, notably Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, with the greatest reduction observed at a 1% inclusion rate. Microbial diversity increased at moderate supplementation (1.0%) but decreased at higher levels. Activities of digestive enzymes, including protease, amylase, and lipase, were significantly higher in fish receiving 1.0% and 1.5% supplementation, indicating improved digestive efficiency. Histological analysis revealed that supplementation with 1% preserved normal intestinal architecture, whereas higher inclusion levels (≥1.5%) induced mild mucosal erosion and inflammatory changes. These findings indicate that X. aethiopica supplementation, particularly at 1.0%, optimally supports a healthy gut microbiota, enhances digestive enzyme activity, and maintains intestinal integrity in hybrid African catfish. The results highlight the potential of X. aethiopica as a natural feed additive in aquaculture nutrition, providing an alternative to synthetic growth promoters and antibiotics. Appropriate inclusion can improve feed utilization, enhance growth performance, reduce disease risk, and promote more sustainable and productive aquaculture systems.
References
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Mountfort, D. O., Campbell, J., & Clements, K. D. (2002). Hindgut Fermentation in Three Species of Marine Herbivorous Fish. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(3), 1374-1380.
Ndoye, S. F., Tine, Y., Seck, I., Ba, L. A., Ka, S., Ciss, I., & Gueye, R. S. (2024). Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil From Dried Seeds of Xylopia aethiopica. Biochemistry Research International, 2024(1), 3923479.
Okocha, R. C., Olatoye, I. O., & Adedeji, O. B. (2018). Food safety impacts of antimicrobial use and their residues in aquaculture. Public Health Reviews, 39(1), 21pp.
Olusola, S., Uguh, P., & Ayebidun, O. (2024). Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Xylopia aethiopica Leaves Extracts Against Some Gram-positive and Negative Bacteria Isolated From Aquatic Animals. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, pp1958-1962.
Onions, A. H., Allsopp, D., & Eggins, H. (1981). Smith's Introduction to Industrial Mycology. Pickard, J.
M., Zeng, M. Y., Caruso, R., & Núñez, G. (2017). Gut Microbiota: Role in Pathogen Colonization, Immune Responses, and Inflammatory Disease. Immunological Reviews, 279(1), 70-89.
Rahman, M. A., Lee, S. G., Yusoff, F. M., & Rafiquzzaman, S. (2018). Hybridization and itsApplication in Aquaculture. Sex Control in Aquaculture, pp163-178.
Ramirez, R. F., & Dixon, B. A. (2003). Enzyme Production by Obligate Intestinal Anaerobic Bacteria Isolated from Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus), Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), and Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Aquaculture, 227(1-4), 417-426.
Ray, A., Ghosh, K., & Ringø, E. (2012). Enzyme‐producing Bacteria Isolated from Fish Gut: a Review. Aquaculture Nutrition, 18(5), 465-492.
Ray, A. K., Bairagi, A., Ghosh, K. S., & Sen, S. K. (2007). Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Cellulase Production by Bacillus subtilis CY5 and Bacillus circulans TP3 Isolated from the Fish Gut. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 37, 47-53.
Ray, A. K., Roy, T., Mondal, S., & Ring, O. E. (2010). Identification of Gut‐Associated Amylase, Cellulase, and Protease‐Producing Bacteria in Three Species of Indian Major Carps. Aquaculture Research, 41(10), 1462-1469.
Romero, J., Feijoó, C. G., & Navarrete, P. (2012). Antibiotics in Aquaculture–Use, Abuse and Alternatives. Health and Environment in Aquaculture, 159(1), 159-198.
Santos, L., & Ramos, F. (2018). Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture: Current knowledge and Alternatives to Tackle the Problem. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 52(2), 135-143.
Seeley, H., Jr, & VanDemark, P. J. (1962). Microbes in Action. A Laboratory Manual of Microbiology.
Seeto, G., Veivers, P., Clements, K., & Slaytor, M. (1996). Carbohydrate Utilisation by Microbial Symbionts in the Marine Herbivorous Fishes Odax Cyanomelas and Crinodus lophodon. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 165(7), 571-579.
Stevens, C. E., & Hume, I. D. (2004). Comparative Physiology of The Vertebrate Digestive System: Cambridge University Press., p.450.
Tamfu, A. N., Ceylan, O., Kucukaydin, S., Ozturk, M., Duru, M. E., & Dinica, R. M. (2020). Antibiofilm and Enzyme Inhibitory Potentials of two Annonaceous Food Spices, African Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) and African nutmeg (Monodora myristica). Foods, 9(12), 1768.
Williams, G. A., Oso, A. O., Mafimidiwo, A. N., Olayemi, W. A., Akinjute, O. F., Isaque, A. A., & Ogunrombi, J. O. (2023). Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Microflora, Carcass Yield, And Meat Microbiology of Broilers Fed Diets Supplemented with Ethiopian Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), and their Composite. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 55(3), 167. 13pp.
Xiong, J.-B., Nie, L., & Chen, J. (2018). Current Understanding of The Roles of Gut Microbiota in Fish Disease and Immunity. Zoological Research, 40(2), 70-76.
AOAC. (2010). Official Methods of Analysis (Vol. 18th Edition, Revision 3). Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC. Gaithersburg, Maryland: AOAC International.
Aqeel, M., Mirani, A. H., Khoso, P. A., Sahito, J. K., Bhutto, A. L., Leghari, R. A., Ali, N. (2024). A Review of the Study of Immunomodulators and Herbal Remedies: A Natural Approach to Treating Necrotic Enteritis. Pure and Applied Biology (PAB), 13(3), 275-302.
Bergey, D. H. (1994). Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.1094p.
Chen, S., Luo, S., & Yan, C. (2021). Gut Microbiota Implications for Health and Welfare in Farm animals: A Review. Animals, 12(1), 93. 12(1), 14pp.
Claus, D. (1992). A Standardized Gram Staining Procedure. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 8(4), 451-452.
Clements, K., & Choat, J. (1995). Fermentation in Tropical Marine Herbivorous Fishes. Physiological Zoology, 68(3), 355-378.
Clements, K. D. (1997). Fermentation and Gastrointestinal Microorganisms in Fishes. Gastrointestinal Microbiology: Volume 1 Gastrointestinal Ecosystems and Fermentations, pp156-198.
Clements, K. D., Raubenheimer, D., & Choat, J. H. (2009). Nutritional Ecology of Marine Herbivorous Fishes: Ten Years on. Functional Ecology, 23(1), 79-92.
Dar, S. A., Srivastava, P. P., Nazir, M. I., Jahan, I., Varghese, T., Hajam, I. A., & Gupta, S. (2021). Modulations of Digestive and Metabolic Enzyme Profiles During Restriction Feeding in Rohu Labeo rohita Fingerlings. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 83(2), 58-66.
Ducarmon, Q., Zwittink, R., Hornung, B., Van Schaik, W., Young, V., & Kuijper, E. (2019). Gut Microbiota and Colonization Resistance Against Bacterial Enteric Infection. Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 83(3), 10.1128/mmbr. 00007-00019.
FAO. (2018). The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2018: Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO.
Fawole, F. J., Nazeemashahul, S., Chanu, T. I., Sharma, A., Kazeem, G. O., Ferosekhan, S., & Kinnera, T. (2023). Application of Immunostimulants for Aquaculture Health Management. Immunomodulators in Aquaculture and Fish Health. CRC Press, pp. 103-115).
Fetse, J. P., Kofie, W., & Reimmel, K. A. (2016). Ethnopharmacological importance of Xylopia aethiopica (DUNAL) A. RICH (Annonaceae)-A Review. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(1), 1-21.
Gericke, S. J., Salie, K., de Wet, L., & Goosen, N. J. (2023). Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Endo-(1, 4)-Β-Xylanase In Plant-Based Diets on Growth Performance, Hindgut Microbial Diversity, and Blood Chemistry in Large on-growing African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 35(3), 561-584.
Hasan, K. N., & Banerjee, G. (2020). Recent Studies on Probiotics as Beneficial Mediators In Aquaculture: A Review. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, 81(1), 1, id.53.
Khan, I., Bai, Y., Zha, L., Ullah, N., Ullah, H., Shah, S. R. H., Zhang, C. (2021). Mechanism of the Gut Microbiota Colonization Resistance and Enteric Pathogen Infection. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, 11, 716299.
Kunitz, M. (1947). Crystalline Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor: II. General properties. The Journal of General Physiology, 30(4), 291-310.
Mandlekar, S., Hong, J.-L., & Tony Kong, A.-N. (2006). Modulation of Metabolic Enzymes By Dietary Phytochemicals: A Review of Mechanisms Underlying Beneficial Versus Unfavorable Effects. Current Drug Metabolism, 7(6), 661-675.
McCance, M. E., & Harrigan, W. F. (2000). Laboratory Methods in Food And Dairy Microbiology: Blackwell Science, p.452.
Medina‐Felix, D., Garibay‐Valdez, E., Vargas‐Albores, F., & Martínez‐Porchas, M. (2023). Fish Disease and Intestinal Microbiota: A Close and Indivisible Relationship. Reviews in Aquaculture, 15(2), 820-839.
Mountfort, D. O., Campbell, J., & Clements, K. D. (2002). Hindgut Fermentation in Three Species of Marine Herbivorous Fish. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(3), 1374-1380.
Ndoye, S. F., Tine, Y., Seck, I., Ba, L. A., Ka, S., Ciss, I., & Gueye, R. S. (2024). Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil From Dried Seeds of Xylopia aethiopica. Biochemistry Research International, 2024(1), 3923479.
Okocha, R. C., Olatoye, I. O., & Adedeji, O. B. (2018). Food safety impacts of antimicrobial use and their residues in aquaculture. Public Health Reviews, 39(1), 21pp.
Olusola, S., Uguh, P., & Ayebidun, O. (2024). Evaluation of Antibacterial Properties of Xylopia aethiopica Leaves Extracts Against Some Gram-positive and Negative Bacteria Isolated From Aquatic Animals. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, pp1958-1962.
Onions, A. H., Allsopp, D., & Eggins, H. (1981). Smith's Introduction to Industrial Mycology. Pickard, J.
M., Zeng, M. Y., Caruso, R., & Núñez, G. (2017). Gut Microbiota: Role in Pathogen Colonization, Immune Responses, and Inflammatory Disease. Immunological Reviews, 279(1), 70-89.
Rahman, M. A., Lee, S. G., Yusoff, F. M., & Rafiquzzaman, S. (2018). Hybridization and itsApplication in Aquaculture. Sex Control in Aquaculture, pp163-178.
Ramirez, R. F., & Dixon, B. A. (2003). Enzyme Production by Obligate Intestinal Anaerobic Bacteria Isolated from Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus), Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), and Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). Aquaculture, 227(1-4), 417-426.
Ray, A., Ghosh, K., & Ringø, E. (2012). Enzyme‐producing Bacteria Isolated from Fish Gut: a Review. Aquaculture Nutrition, 18(5), 465-492.
Ray, A. K., Bairagi, A., Ghosh, K. S., & Sen, S. K. (2007). Optimization of Fermentation Conditions for Cellulase Production by Bacillus subtilis CY5 and Bacillus circulans TP3 Isolated from the Fish Gut. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria, 37, 47-53.
Ray, A. K., Roy, T., Mondal, S., & Ring, O. E. (2010). Identification of Gut‐Associated Amylase, Cellulase, and Protease‐Producing Bacteria in Three Species of Indian Major Carps. Aquaculture Research, 41(10), 1462-1469.
Romero, J., Feijoó, C. G., & Navarrete, P. (2012). Antibiotics in Aquaculture–Use, Abuse and Alternatives. Health and Environment in Aquaculture, 159(1), 159-198.
Santos, L., & Ramos, F. (2018). Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture: Current knowledge and Alternatives to Tackle the Problem. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 52(2), 135-143.
Seeley, H., Jr, & VanDemark, P. J. (1962). Microbes in Action. A Laboratory Manual of Microbiology.
Seeto, G., Veivers, P., Clements, K., & Slaytor, M. (1996). Carbohydrate Utilisation by Microbial Symbionts in the Marine Herbivorous Fishes Odax Cyanomelas and Crinodus lophodon. Journal of Comparative Physiology B, 165(7), 571-579.
Stevens, C. E., & Hume, I. D. (2004). Comparative Physiology of The Vertebrate Digestive System: Cambridge University Press., p.450.
Tamfu, A. N., Ceylan, O., Kucukaydin, S., Ozturk, M., Duru, M. E., & Dinica, R. M. (2020). Antibiofilm and Enzyme Inhibitory Potentials of two Annonaceous Food Spices, African Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica) and African nutmeg (Monodora myristica). Foods, 9(12), 1768.
Williams, G. A., Oso, A. O., Mafimidiwo, A. N., Olayemi, W. A., Akinjute, O. F., Isaque, A. A., & Ogunrombi, J. O. (2023). Nutrient Digestibility, Gut Microflora, Carcass Yield, And Meat Microbiology of Broilers Fed Diets Supplemented with Ethiopian Pepper (Xylopia aethiopica), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), and their Composite. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 55(3), 167. 13pp.
Xiong, J.-B., Nie, L., & Chen, J. (2018). Current Understanding of The Roles of Gut Microbiota in Fish Disease and Immunity. Zoological Research, 40(2), 70-76.