Investigation of antioxidant capacity in farmed beluga (Huso huso) fingerling fed with Echinacea purpurea and garlic (Allium sativum) powder extracts

Excessive use of synthetic drugs brings numerous disadvantages for the environment and health, so the need to formulate alternative strategies in the management of fish diseases in aquaculture increases. Studies show that both Allium sativum and Echinacea purpurea have antioxidant properties that can increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in fish. So, this study was performed to evaluate the effects of two types of powdered extract Echinacea and garlic on antioxidant capacity of farmed beluga Huso huso during a two-month period.

A total of 210 fish with an average weight of 27.74 ± 0.26 g were randomly placed in twenty one 500-L fiberglass tanks, and fed with basal diet supplemented with powder extracts in seven treatments (with three replications) including control (without adding garlic and E. purpurea), treatment 1 = 250 mg/kg garlic, treatment 2 = 500 mg/kg garlic, treatment 3 = 1000 mg/kg garlic, treatment 4 = 250 mg/kg E. purpurea, treatment 5 = 500 mg/kg E. purpurea, treatment 6 = 1000 mg/kg E. purpurea for 8 weeks. At the end of experiment, the amount of catalase, GPX, SOD and MDA enzymes was measured in six fish per treatment.

The results showed that the amount of catalase, SOD and MDA in the blood serum in the treatments increased compared to the control. The catalase level in treatment 5 was significantly higher than in the other treatments, while the lowest in control and treatment 1. The SOD levels in treatments 2, 3, 5 and 6 were significantly higher than in the others, while the lowest amount in the control. The amount of MDA in treatments 3, 5 and 6 was significantly higher than in others, while the lowest in the control. The GPX levels in fish blood serum in treatments 6, 5 and 4 were significantly higher than in the others, while the lowest in treatments 1, 2 and 3.

The result showed that supplementation of 1000 mg/kg Echinacea purpurea powder extract is more effective in improving antioxidant capacity in reared beluga.