Effects of dietary peppermint (Mentha piperita) on growth performance, chemical body composition and hematological and immune parameters of fry Caspian white fish (Rutilus frisii kutum)

doi:10.1016/j.fsi.2015.06.010

Get rights and content

Highlights

•: Peppermint extracts on diet increase Caspian white fish fry growth rate mainly when used the highest peppermint dose (3%).
•: Dietary peppermint enhances both haematological and immune parameters of Caspian white fish fry, compared to control fish.
•: Peppermint increased protein concentration, alkaline phosphatase and bactericidal activity in fish skin mucus.
•: Red and white blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit were increased in a dose dependent manner by dietary peppermint.

Abstract

Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) is a very popular herb. While numerous effects have been described in mammals, its effects on fish have received so far limited attention. The effects of dietary administration of peppermint on fry Caspian white fish (Rutilus frisii kutum) were studied. Fish were divided into 4 groups before being fed diets supplemented with 0% (control), 1%, 2% and 3% of peppermint extracts for 8 weeks. Dose-dependent increases of growth parameters (WG and SGR), mucus skin (protein concentration, alkaline phosphatase and antimicrobial activity) and seric (lysozyme and IgM) and blood leucocyte respiratory burst activities and different hematological parameters (number of red and white cells, seric hemoglobin and hematocrit content) were recorded in fry fish fed supplemented diets. However, the dietary peppermint supplements have different effects on the number of blood leucocytes depending on the leucocyte cell type. While no significant differences were observed in the number of blood monocytes and eosinophils, the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes was increased and decreased, respectively, on fish fed peppermint enriched diets, respect to the values found in control fish. Present results corroborate that dietary administration of peppermint promotes growth performance and increases the main hematological and immune humoral (both mucosal and systemic) parameters of fry Caspian white fish. This study may provide new applications of peppermint and, at the same time, promote rational development and utilization of peppermint resources.

Keywords

Medical plants;
Peppermint (Mentha piperita);
Fry;
Growth performance;
Immunity;
Caspian white fish (Rutilus frisii kutum)

: Corresponding author.

Cheryl & ethnovet

twitter

Thursday, 18 June 2015