Effects of dietary tamarind pulp extract on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, and resistance toAeromonas hydrophilainfection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticusL.)

The effect of tamarind pulp extract (TPE) on the growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphometrics, body proximate composition, and resistance againstAeromonas hydrophilainfection in Nile tilapia was determined. The fish were fed experimental diets formulated to contain 0.0 (control), 5, 10, 15, or 20 g TPE/kg diet at 3% body weight daily for 84 days. Thereafter, a 14-day challenge test withA. hydrophilainfection was done. The results showed that TPE supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the fish growth, protein efficiency ratio, apparent lipid and protein digestibility, villi height, and absorption area at levels of 10-20 g/kg diet compared to the control diet. Similarly, TPE supplementation increased the crude lipids and ash contents in the fish body. Postchallenge fish fed TPE-supplemented diets showed a higher survival rate relative to fish fed the control diet. The results demonstrated that dietary TPE promoted growth, nutrient digestibility, and protection againstA. hydrophilainfection in Nile tilapia, and its inclusion at 15 g/kg diet is therefore recommended.