Effects of dietary whole and defatted Arthrospira platensis (Cyanobacterium) on growth, body composition and pigmentation of the yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

The cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis is regarded as a potential future source of food for humans due to its superior nutritional value compared with many conventional crops. An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate nutritional and pigmentation effects of whole A. platensis, defatted A. platensis and its lipid extracts in diets for the yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Four percent whole A. platensis (AP4), 0.4% A. platensis lipid extracts (AL0.4), and 4% defatted A. platensis (AR4) were used as experimental diets, and a diet without any A. platensis was as the control diet (AP0). The AP4 and AL0.4 groups had no effects on the growth performance and feed utilization in yellow catfish; however, the AR4 group was significantly lower than the AP0 group in terms of specific growth rate and feed efficiency (P < 0.05). AP4 and AL0.4 groups significantly increased the body protein of fish (P < 0.05). The skin color was significantly improved in the AP4 and AL0.4 groups, as well as the fish skin and plasma lutein contents (P < 0.05). Correlations between skin color and the lutein contents in liver and muscles were weak, whereas the correlations between skin color and the lutein contents in skin and plasma were significant and strong. The results suggest that whole A. platensis and its lipid extracts can be functional additives to improve whole body protein and skin color of fish, while defatted A. platensis showed no advantage in yellow catfish diets.