The effects of the supplementation of activated charcoal on the growth, health status and fillet composition-odor of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) before harvesting

This study shows the effects of dietary activated charcoal (AC) on health status, intestinal morphology and fillet geosmin content of Nile tilapia prior to harvesting (2 and 4 weeks). Four dietary treatments (each diet in six replicates) were formulated to incorporate AC at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30 g kg−1 of the dry diet. Fish were reared in hapas, which were located in earthen ponds. There were not significant differences in growth performances among experimental treatments. The moisture and protein content in the fillet decreased and increased, respectively, as the incorporation level of AC increased. The hematological indices and several immune parameters did not differ significantly among treatment groups. Among the fifteen blood chemicals parameters examined, the significant reductions in protein and cholesterol and the changes in blood minerals were observed in fish fed dietary AC ≥20 g kg−1. Dietary AC tended to increase the height of intestinal villi and goblet cell number. Dietary AC also influenced the reduction in geosmin in the fish fillet. Taken together, these findings indicate that AC (at 10 g kg−1 diet) could be used as feed supplement for Nile tilapia prior harvesting to reduce geosmin without negative effects.