Effect of Dietary Ginseng Herb (Ginsana� G115) Supplementationon Growth, Feed Utilization, and Hematological Indices of

Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), Fingerlings

ASHRAF M.A.-S. GODA1

Fish Nutrition Research Laboratory, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF),101 El-Kaser El-Eney, 11231, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary ginseng herb (Ginsana� G115)

supplementation on growth performance, feed utilization, and hematological indices of Nile tilapia,

Oreochromis niloticus (L.), fingerlings. A total of 378 Nile tilapia fingerlings with an average body

weight of 24.4 6 0.2 g were divided in the six experimental treatments (three replicates each). The

experiment was conducted for 17 wk. Six isonitrogenous, 27.2% digestible protein and isocaloric,

12.3 MJ/kg digestible energy experimental diets were formulated. The control diet had no Ginsana

G115 added. Diets 2–6 each contained Ginsana G115 at levels of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg/kg,

respectively. Growth performance and feed utilization efficiency of Nile tilapia were significantly

(P # 0.05) higher in all treatments receiving Ginsana G115-supplemented diets than the control diet.

Red blood cells counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin significantly (P # 0.05) increased with increasing

dietary Ginsana G115 levels compared to those of the control diet. The same trend was observed for

total plasma protein and total plasma globulin levels. The results of present study suggested that Nile

tilapia fingerlings fed diets containing at least 200 mg/kg Ginsana G115 for 17 wk had enhanced

growth performance, diet utilization efficiency, and hematological indices.

The demand for animal protein has gone farbeyond supply as a result of the rapid growthof human population in the many countries ofthe world, especially in the developing coun-tries. An urgent need is therefore necessary toincrease the production of protein sources.Nowadays, aquaculture is one of the fastestgrowing food production sectors and an increas-ingly important option in animal protein sourcesin the world. However, high-quality fish dietsshould contain not only high quality and levelsof dietary nutrients but also additives to keepfish healthy and improve growth.

Growth promoters are compounds that areadded to diets to improve nutrient utilizationand fish growth. All non-nutrient feed additivesthat improve animal growth can be, in principle,described as growth promoters. Some of thecommonly used growth-promoting additivesare probiotics, yeast, amino acids, antioxidants,betaine, carnitine, colorants, enzymes, lipidderivatives, nutraceutical health products, vita-

mins, hormones, aromatic compounds, plant ex-tracts, yucca products, and some organic acids/salts (Fuller 1992; Gongora 1998; Krauthammerand Kullen 1999; Finley et al. 2005).

Hermann et al. (2003) reported that antimi-crobial agents are used in food animals as ther-apy for an infection or, in the absence of disease,at subtherapeutic level for growth promotionand improved feed efficiency (Gorbach 2001).Although these additives could promote growth,their improper use can result on adverse effectsin animal and the final consumer, as well as leadto resistance of pathogenic bacteria for antibiot-ics. Antibiotic growth promoters are very costeffective and efficient in improving animal per-formance and health. Alternative strategies canbe used to effectively replace antibiotics in ani-mal diets without loss of performance. The useof herbal remedies or botanicals in animal dietshas been proposed because of their natural stim-ulation of the immune system and/or enhancedgrowth performance. Although a wide range ofherbs are available for inclusion in animal diets,Xiang and Zhou (2000) and Lin et al. (2006)1 Corresponding author.

JOURNAL OF THE

WORLD AQUACULTURE SOCIETY

Vol. 39, No. 2

April, 2008

� Copyright by the World Aquaculture Society 2008

205

reported that the traditional Chinese medicines(TCM) consisting of a mixture of herbs and plantmaterials: Isatis tinctoria L., I. indigodica Fort,Forsythia suspersa Vahl, Corydalis bungeanaTurez, Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth, andAstragalus menbranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. TCMare rich in a wide variety of compounds and arenew additives for aquatic animal diets as anattractant to increase feed intake, improve feedutilization, and increase weight gain (WG).

Ginseng root is one of several herbs species ofthe Araliaceae family. The most important activeextracts in ginseng root are the saponins calledginsenoside. Ginseng helps regulate body func-tions, specifically improve adaptability and isbelieved to help build muscle and endurance(Francis et al. 2002c). Significant antiviral activ-ity in laboratory animals, protection against viralinfection, and enhanced antibody forming cellresponse have been reported (Francis 2001). Huet al. (2003) reported that in vitro, the extract ofPanax ginseng root has been shown to haveantimicrobial activity against Staphylococcusaureus, like lactose chitosan derivative againstS. aureus CCRC 12657 (Chen and Chou 2005).A few fish studies have assessed the efficacy ofginseng as an immunostimulant.Work evaluatingginseng as a possible growth promoter for fish isscarce. The positive growth performance andimmune function against pathogenic bacteriaEdwardsiella tarda of Nile tilapia was observedwhen fish fed diets supplemented with severalmedicinal herbs including Ginseng, P. ginseng;Kugija, Lycii fructus; Omija, Schizandra chine-nis; and Hasuo, Polygonum multiflorum (Y. Kim,Pukyong National University, Busan, Korea, per-sonal communication).

The present study was undertaken to de-termine the effect of dietary ginseng herb(Ginsana� G115) supplementation on growthperformance, feed utilization, and hematologi-cal indices of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus(L.), fingerlings.

Materials and Methods

Experimental Fish and Culture Technique

Nile tilapia, O. niloticus, with an average ini-tial body weight of 24.4 6 0.2 g were obtained

fromNawa Farm, Kalubiya Governorate, Egypt.The fingerlings were stocked into three cementponds (each with 42 m3) at Fish Research Sta-tion, El-Kanater El-Khayria, National Instituteof Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo,Egypt. Each cement pond was divided into sixequal compartments (pens) by netting (each of7 m3), and each pen was stocked with 21 fish.Three replicate pens were randomly assignedto each treatment. Prior to the start of experi-ment, the fish were acclimated to the experi-mental conditions for 2 wk. During this period,fish were fed a commercial tilapia diet (28%CP; ZooControl Company, 6 October City,Cairo, Egypt) at a level of 3% of body weight.The daily ration was divided into three equalamounts and offered three times a day (0900,1200, and 1500 h). The fish were fed one of sixexperimental diets for 17 wk. The cement pondswere supplied with freshwater from the DarawaIrrigation Baranch, Kalubiya Governorate. Theturnover rate of water was 0.4 m3/pond/d, andfish were held under natural light (12:12 h, light :dark schedule). Water temperature, dissolvedoxygen (DO), pH, and ammonia were monitoredduring the trial to maintain water quality at opti-mum range for Nile tilapia. Water temperaturewas recorded daily at 1300 h using a mercurythermometer suspended at 30-cm depth. DOwas measured at 0500 h using YSI model 56oxygen meter (YSI Company, Yellow SpringsInstrument, Yellow Springs, OH, USA) and pHat 0900 h by using a pH meter (Orion pH meter;Abilene, TX, USA). Ammonia and alkalinitywere measured three times a week according toAPHA (1998).

During the 17-wk experimental period, allfish were fed their respective diets at a levelof 3% of body weight for 6 d/wk. The dailyration was divided into three equal amountsand offered three times a day (0900, 1200, and1500 h). Random samples of at least 75% of fishfrom each replicate pen were weighed biweeklyand the amount of daily allowance was adjustedaccordingly.

Experimental Diets

Six experimental diets were formulated to beisonitrogenous, 27% digestible protein (DP) and

206 GODA

isocaloric, 12.3 MJ/kg digestible energy (DE).All diets were identical except for the variationin ginseng herb extract (Ginsana G115) levels.The basal experimental diet (control diet) hadno Ginsana G115 added. Diets 2–6 each con-tained Ginsana G115 at levels of 50, 100, 150,200, and 250 mg, respectively. The proximatechemical composition of the basal experimentaldiet is presented in Table 1. Gross energy (GE)contents of diets were calculated accordingto gross caloric values of Brett (1973) usingthe values of 23.6, 39.5, and 17.2 kJ/g for crudeprotein, crude fat, and total carbohydrate,respectively. The DE was estimated by apply-ing the coefficient of 70% from determinedGE values according to Hepher et al. (1983).DP was calculated using values of 90.2, 87.2,96.5, 96.2, 83.6, and 75.1% for crude proteincontent of fish meal, poultry byproduct meal,corn gluten meal, soybean meal, wheat bran,and yellow corn, respectively, according toSklan et al. (2004).

Highly concentrated, ginseng extract (GinsanaG115) was obtained from Ginsana ProductsLugano SA (Lugano, Switzerland). Activity ofGinsana G115 was five times higher than ginsengroot, P. ginseng, ginseng C. A. Meyer. Fish meal(999 Con-Kix Fish Meal; Triple Nine Fish Pro-tein a.m.b.a., Thyborøn, Denmark), corn glutenmeal, soybean meal, wheat bran, and yellow cornwere purchased from a commercial feed manu-facturer (Animal Production Islamic Company[APICO], Dokki-El-Giza, Egypt). Poultry by-product meal was obtained from a renderingplant based in Egypt (El-Kalybia manufacturer,Banha, Kalybia, Egypt). The diets were pro-cessed by blending the dry ingredients intoa homogenous mixture. Pellets of 2 mm weremade in Sprout-Waldron laboratory pellet mill(CPM; California Pellet Mill Co., San Francisco,CA, USA). The pelleting temperature did notexceed 40 C and all diets were air dried for 4 h(moisture content of about 10%). All diets waspacked in cellophane bags and cooled at 4 Cprior to use.

Blood Samples and Analysis

Blood samples were collected at the end ofthe experiment. Each of the experimental treat-

ment was sampled once, with five fish per penfor hematological indices analysis and five fishper pen bled for plasma content analysis. Thefish were anesthetized with t-amyl alcohol and

TABLE 1. Formulation and proximate composition of the

experimental basal diet (% as fed basis).

Percent in basalexperimental diet1

Ingredients

Fish meal 10

Poultry byproduct meal 10

Corn gluten meal 10

Soybean meal 15

Yellow corn 30

Wheat bran 20

Corn oil 3

Vitamin and mineral premix2 2

Ginsana� G1153 —

Proximate composition (%)

Moisture 10.7

Crude protein 30.1

DP4 27.2

Crude fat 7.4

Total carbohydrate 44.2

Ash 7.6

GE5 (MJ/kg) 17.6

DE6 (MJ/kg) 12.3

DP : DE ratio (mg DP/MJ/DE) 22.1

GE 5 gross energy; DP 5 digestible protein; DE 5

digestible energy.1 The basal experimental diet (control diet) had no

Ginsana G115 added. Diets 2–6 each contained Ginsana

G115 at levels of 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mg, respec-

tively.2 Vitamin and mineral mixture (supplements per kilo-

gram of the mixed feed): vitamin A, 4500 IU; vitamin D3,

4500 IU; vitamin E, 400 mg; vitamin B1, 30 mg; vitamin

B2, 40 mg; vitamin B6, 40 mg; vitamin B12, 0.08 mg;

vitamin K3, 15 mg; ascorbic acid, 750 mg; nicotinic acid,

300 mg; Ca-pantothenate, 100 mg; folic acid, 10 mg; bio-

tin, 3 mg; inositol, 500 mg; p-amino benzoic acid, 200 mg;

Ca, 2.1 g; Fe, 250 mg; Mn, 40 mg; Zn, 60 mg; I, 4 mg;

Cu, 12 mg; Se, 0.3 mg; Co, 2 mg.3 Ginsana G115 was obtained from Ginsana products

Lugano SA (Lugano, Switzerland).4 DP was calculated using values of 90.2, 87.2, 96.5,

96.2, 83.6, and 75.1% for crude protein content of fish meal,

poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal,

wheat bran, and yellow corn, respectively, according to

Sklan et al. (2004).5 Calculated using gross caloric values of 23.62, 39.52,

and 17.15 kJ/g for protein, fat, and carbohydrate, respec-

tively, according to Brett (1973).6 DE was estimated as 70% of GE values according to

Hepher et al. (1983).

DIETARY GINSENG HERB (GINSANA� G115) SUPPLEMENTATION FOR NILE TILAPIA 207

the blood samples were taken by puncturingthe caudal vessels. Ethylenediaminetetraacet-ate was used as anticoagulants. The red bloodcell counts (RBCs) were determined by usinga Burker counting chamber and Hayem solu-tion. The findings and instructions published byBlaxhall and Daisley (1973) and Hrubec et al.(2000) were followed when the RBCs weredetermined. Hematocrit (Hct) was determinedby using microhematocrit-heparinized capillarytubes and a microhematocrite centrifuge (10,000 gfor 5 min). The values of Hct were determinedwithin 30 min alter bleeding. Hemoglobin (Hb)concentrations were determined by the cyan-hemoglobin method, at 540 nm. RBCs and Hbvalues were determined within 6 h after bloodsampling.

The derived mean corpuscular volume(MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH),and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentra-tion (MCHC) were calculated using standardformulae. The total WBC counts and differentialcell counts were determined according to themethod of Stoskopf (1993) and Terry et al.(2000). Blood plasma was obtained by centrifu-gation of the blood samples at 3000 3 g for5 min and stored at �20 C for further analysis.Total plasma protein (TPP) and albumin (TPA)were determined according to Doumas et al.(1981) and Reinhold (1953), respectively, usingcommercial kits produced by Pasteur labs(Egyptian American Co. for Laboratory Serv-ices, Egypt). However, the total plasma globulin(TPG) was calculated by subtracting the TPPfrom TPA according to Coles (1974). The hema-tological parameters are expressed in interna-tional units (SI).

Analytical Methods

At the beginning of the trial, a random pooledsample of 20 fish was collected, anesthetizedwith t-amyl alcohol, and sacrificed for determi-nation of initial whole-body proximate com-position. At the termination of the feedingtrial, five fish were randomly selected fromeach pen and anesthetized with t-amyl alcohol,sacrificed, and homogenized in a blender todetermine the final whole-body proximate com-position. The fish were pooled for each pen,

oven dried, ground, and stored at �20 C forsubsequent analysis. The chemical composi-tion of fish and diet samples were determinedaccording to procedures of AOAC (1995).Dry matter was determined after drying thesamples in an oven (105 C) for 24 h. Ash byincineration at 550 C for 12 h. Crude proteinwas determined by micro-Kjeldhal method,N% 3 6.25 (using Kjeltech autoanalyzer,Model 1030; Tecator, Hoganas, Sweden) andcrude fat by soxhlet extraction with diethyl ether(40–60 C).

Growth Indices

Mean final body weight (FBW) of each exper-imental treatment was determined by dividingtotal fish weight in each pen by number of fish.WG, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversionratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), pro-tein productive value (PPV), fat retention (FR),and energy retention (ER) were calculated usingthe following equations: WG 5 final bodyweight (g) � initial body weight (g); SGR 5 (lnFBW � ln IBW)/t 3 100, where FBW is finalbody weight (g), IBW is initial body weight (g),ln 5 natural logarithmic, and t 5 time in days;FCR 5 feed intake (g)/weight gain (g); PER 5

weight gain (g)/protein intake (g); PPV 5 (pro-tein gain [g]/protein intake [g])100; FR 5 (fatgain [g]/fat intake [g])100; and ER 5 (energygain [kJ]/energy intake [kJ])100.

Statistical Analysis

Data were statistically analyzed by analysisof variance using MSTAT-C Version 4 software(MSTAT-C 1987). Duncan’s multiple range testwas used to compare differences between treat-ment means when significant F values wereobserved (Duncan 1955), at P # 0.05 level.All percentage data were arc-sin transformedprior to analysis (Zar 1984). However, data arepresented untransformed to facilitate compari-sons. The relationship between hematologicalindices was tested using simple correlationanalysis.

Results and Discussion

Over the 17-wk feeding period, no apparentevidence of fish toxicity was observed and

208 GODA

subsequently, preventive veterinary measureswere not required. The survival rate of Nile tila-pia after 17 wk of feeding diets with and withoutGinsana G115 supplementation was 100%. Allthe water quality parameters were within the ac-ceptable range for Nile tilapia (Wilson 1991).Water temperature ranged from 26.5 to 28.0 C,DO from 5.7 to 6.3 mg/L, pH from 6.8 to 7.9,alkalinity from 162 to 173 mg/L, and ammonia(NH3) from 0.23 to 0.29 mg/L.

Data in Table 2 show that all fish fed ginseng-supplemented diets resulted in higher growththan the control diet, suggesting that the addi-tion of Ginsana G115 enhanced the growth per-formance. The FBW, WG, SGR, and FCR ofNile tilapia increased with increasing dietaryGinsana G115 up to 200 mg/kg. Francis et al.(2002c) reported that the major constituentspresent in ginseng root are an array of triter-pene saponins, collectively called ginsenosides(Huang 1999). The ginsenosides are glycosy-lated derivatives of two major aglycones, pan-axadiol and panaxatriol (Dewick 1997). Theoverall effects of the ginsenosides can be quitecomplex because of their potential for multipleactions even within a single tissue (Attele et al.1999; Briskin 2002). Francis et al. (2001b,2002a) showed that dietary levels of triter-penoid, Quillaja saponins, of 150 g/kg showed

potential for promoting growth and nutrient uti-lization in common carp, Cyprinus carpio, andNile tilapia, O. niloticus.

Growth in common carp was significantlyhigher than that of the control only when therewas a continuous dietary supply of the saponins.The effects of dietary saponins in fish, suchas higher growth, reduced O2 consumption,and metabolic rate, were observed by Franciset al. (2001a, 2002b) who pointed to a possiblesystemic effect, meanwhile, the mechanismswhereby saponins increased the growth and feedefficiency in fish remain to be determined.

From nutritional point of view, the mecha-nism by which ginseng, P. ginseng (ginseno-side), improved growth of Nile tilapia in thecurrent study may be because of its role in inhi-bition the colonization of potential pathogens inthe digestive tract, enhancing the population ofbeneficial microorganism, microbial enzymeactivity, improving intestinal microbial balance,and consequently improving feed digestibilityand nutrient absorption. Hu et al. (2003) re-ported that the interactions among intestinalmicroflora, gut morphology, the immune sys-tem, and nutrient uptake have a major influenceon animal health and growth performance.

Another possible explanation for increasedtilapia growth in present study may be attributed

TABLE 2. Growth performance and nutrient utilization of Nile tilapia after 17 wk of feeding Ginsana� G115-

supplemented diets.1

Parameters D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6

Initial body

weight (g/fish)

24.4 ± 0.7a 24.3 ± 0.5a 24.5 ± 0.6a 24.4 ± 1.1a 24.3 ± 0.7a 24.3 ± 0.8a

Final body

weight (g/fish)

194.6 ± 1.5d 217.4 ± 1.1c 213.2 ± 1.3c 229.7 ± 1.0bc 254.8 ± 1.1a 252.3 ± 1.2a

Feed intake (g/fish) 311.4 ± 1.0d 344.5 ± 1.1bc 338.9 ± 0.9c 361.5 ± 1.1b 378.3 ± 1.6ab 383.5 ± 1.1a

Weight gain (g/fish) 170.2 ± 1.5d 193.1 ± 1.2c 188.7 ± 1.3c 205.3 ± 1.1bc 230.5 ± 1.1a 228.0 ± 1.2a

Specific growth

rate (% /d)

1.73 ± 0.2c 1.83 ± 0.3b 1.80 ± 0.2b 1.87 ± 0.2b 1.96 ± 0.3a 1.95 ± 0.3a

Feed conversion ratio 1.83 ± 0.3a 1.78 ± 0.1b 1.80 ± 0.3ab 1.76 ± 0.3b 1.64 ± 0.1c 1.68 ± 0.2bc

Protein efficiency ratio 2.0 ± 0.1b 2.0 ± 0.2b 2.0 ± 0.2b 2.1 ± 0.1ab 2.2 ± 0.1a 2.2 ± 0.1a

Protein productive

value (%)

31.6 ± 1.3b 34.3 ± 1.2ab 30.7 ± 0.9b 31.2 ± 0.4b 35.8 ± 1.1a 37.9 ± 1.2a

Fat retention (%) 37.1 ± 1.0d 53.7 ± 1.2bc 55.1 ± 1.6b 63.4 ± 1.2a 50.0 ± 1.1c 57.3 ± 1.5b

Energy retention (%) 24.4 ± 0.8c 28.1 ± 0.7ab 26.5 ± 0.8b 28.2 ± 1.6ab 28.3 ± 1.4ab 30.8 ± 0.8a

1 D1: control; D2: 50 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D3: 100 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D4: 150 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D5: 200 mg/kg

Ginsana G115; D6: 250 mg/kg Ginsana G115. Values are mean 6 SD of triplicate analyses. Means in the same row bearing

different superscript letters differ significantly (P # 0.05).

DIETARY GINSENG HERB (GINSANA� G115) SUPPLEMENTATION FOR NILE TILAPIA 209

to an improvement in nutrient utilization, whichin turn could explain the better FBW seenwith the Ginsana G115-supplemented diets.The result of nutrient utilization showed thatNile tilapia fed diets containing either 200 or250 mg/kg Ginsana G115 had significantly(P $ 0.05) higher PER, PPV, and ER valuescompared to fish fed the control diet (Table 2).The results indicate that supplementing dietswith Ginsana G115 significantly improves die-tary protein and energy utilization. This maybe useful for optimizing protein use for the tila-pia growth. Kim (Pukyong National University,Busan, Korea, personal communication) showedthat O. niloticus fed diets supplemented withP. ginseng had significant higher (P # 0.05)trypsin-like enzyme activities than those of fishfed the control diet, suggesting higher digestionof the diet containing ginseng herb.

Lin et al. (2006) reported that TCM mayinfluence digestive processes by enhancing orimpairing enzyme activity and improving ordiminishing digestibility of nutrients and thusmay increase the diet evacuation rate as herblevels increased. However, the effects of gin-seng herb (Ginsana G115) on digestive pro-cesses and digestive enzyme activity needfurther research. Wu et al. (2001) found thatWG of eels, Anguilla Anguilla, fed TCMincreased significantly and the resistance tocommon infectious disease was enhanced. Jianand Wu (2004) observed that TCM had a bene-ficial effect on the growth and for the preven-tion and treatment for common disease inCyprinus carpio. Moreover, Yun and Choi(1990) reported that some studies in animalshave showed that ginseng has anti-inflamma-

tory, antiviral, and hepatoprotective effects atlow doses (harmful at high doses) in rats,whereas others found that tumors in mice weresuppressed by components of ginseng.

In the present study, FCR values decreased(P $ 0.05) with increasing dietary GinsanaG115 supplementation compared to fish fed thecontrol diet. The best FCR value was recordedwith the 200 mg/kg Ginsana G115-supple-mented diet. Because all fish were fed theirrespective diets at a level of 3% of body weight,higher WG and better FCR of fish fed GinsanaG115-supplemented diets compared to thosefed the control diet may be because of theenhancement effect of ginseng on diet utilizationand digestibility. Qiu et al. (2002, 2004) reportedthat diets supplemented with Chinese herb(TCM) significantly increased growth rate, prote-ase activity in intestine and hepatopancreas,apparent protein, and fat digestibility of Allogy-nogenetic crucian carp, Carassius auratus. Ourstudy did not explore the potential growth effectof dietary ginseng at different life stages, whichmay be a useful application of herbs in aquacul-ture. We intend to pursue this aspect of herb feedsupplements in further studies.

No statistical differences (P $ 0.05) wereobserved for the influence of dietary GinsanaG115 levels on whole-body proximate analysis(Table 3) compared to fish fed the control diet.The same trend was observed by Qiu et al.(2003) in Allogynogenetic crucian carp fed dietswith or without supplementation of TCM herbs.

Hematology is an important factor that couldbe considered in fish diet quality assessment.Svobodova et al. (1991) reported that ichthohe-matology would be useful in the assessment of

TABLE 3. Whole-body proximate composition of Nile tilapia after 17 wk of feeding Ginsana�G115-supplemented diets.1

Parameters D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6

Moisture (%) 73.7 ± 1.0 72.3 ± 0.4 73.6 ± 0.3 72.8 ± 1.0 73.8 ± 0.3 73.0 ± 1.0

Crude protein (%) 16.0 ± 0.4 16.9 ± 0.9 15.2 ± 0.9 15.1 ± 0.4 16.2 ± 0.5 17.0 ± 0.7

Crude fat (%) 4.2 ± 0.4 5.3 ± 0.2 5.5 ± 0.2 6.2 ± 0.2 4.6 ± 0.4 5.2 ± 0.2

Ash (%) 6.1 ± 0.3 5.5 ± 0.5 5.7 ± 0.3 5.9 ± 0.2 5.4 ± 0.4 4.8 ± 0.5

Gross energy (kJ/100 g) 534.5 ± 1.7 608.2 ± 1.5 576.0 ± 1.3 601.3 ± 1.6 564.0 ± 1.3 606.6 ± 1.7

1 D1: control; D2: 50 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D3: 100 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D4: 150 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D5: 200 mg/kg

Ginsana G115; D6: 250 mg/kg Ginsana G115. Values are mean 6 SD of triplicate analyses. Means in the same row bearing

different superscript letters differ significantly (P # 0.05).

210 GODA

suitability of diets and feed mixtures, evaluationof fish conditions, determination of toxic effectof substances, as well as diagnosis of disease.Hematological parameters investigated are pre-sented in Table 4. Mean RBCs, Hct, and Hb ofNile tilapia significantly (P $ 0.05) increasedwith increasing dietary Ginsana G115 levelscompared to the fish fed the control diet. Anopposite trend was observed for MCV andMCH. MCHC were similar for fish in all treat-ments. A highly positive correlation wasobserved between Hct and RBCs (N 5 15,r5 0.90), while a moderate positive correlationwas found between RBC and Hb (N 5 15,r 5 0.65). Moreover, a highly negative correla-tion was observed between RBCs and MCH(N 5 15, r 5 �0.88) and RBCs and MCV(N5 15, r 5 �0.96). A moderate negative cor-relation was shown between Hct and MCV(N 5 15, r 5 �0.71) and Hb and MCV (N 5

15, r 5 �0.64).Ologhobo (1992) reported that the most com-

mon blood variables consistently influenced bydiet are the RBCs, Hct, TPP, and glucose levels.Previous hematological studies of nutritional ef-fects (Rehulka 1984a, 1984b, 1989, 2000),infectious diseases, and pollutants (Rehulka

2002a, 2002b) indicated that erythrocytes area major and reliable indicator of various sourcesof stress. Red blood cells transport Hb that, inturn, transports oxygen. The amount of oxygenreceived by tissue depends on the maturity ofRBCs and amount of Hb. The higher hemocon-centration observed in present study for Niletilapia fed Ginsana G115-supplemented dietssuggests that ginseng root enhances hematolog-ical function of fish.

No significant differences were observed intotal WBC for Nile tilapia fed Ginsana G115-supplemented diets compared with fish fed thecontrol diet and also for WBC differentialcounts, including lymphocytes (LMP, 94.4–95.5% vs. 94.6%), monocytes (MON, 4.1–5.6%vs. 5.0%), and granulocytes (GRA, 0.4–0.4%vs. 0.4%). These results could be attributed toan optimal health conditions in all fish. More-over, LMP were present at higher proportion inthe WBC of fish in this study. Hrubec et al.(2000) reported similar values of LMP (95.5%),MON (2.0%), and GRA (0.01%) for tilapia(Oreochromis hybrid). The values of WBC anddifferential cell counts in the present study arealso similar to the values obtained by Dobsıkovaet al. (2006) for normal healthy common carp,

TABLE 4. Hematological characteristics of Nile tilapia after 17 wk of feeding Ginsana�G115-supplemented diets.1

Parameters D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6

RBC (106/mL) 1.9 ± 0.1c 2.1 ± 0.1b 2.1 ± 0.1b 2.1 ± 0.1b 2.8 ± 0.2a 2.2 ± 0.4b

Hct (%) 30.7 ± 1.1c 33.7 ± 1.0b 33.7 ± 1.1b 31.6 ± 0.9b 36.1 ± 1.2a 34.3 ± 0.9ab

MCV (fl) 160.5 ± 1.3a 158.4 ± 1.5b 157.3 ± 1.5b 151.0 ± 0.9b 131.3 ± 1.7d 153.2 ± 1.1c

Hb (g/dL) 11.7 ± 0.8c 13.5 ± 0.9ab 12.7 ± 0.6b 13.7 ± 1.0a 13.8 ± 0.6a 12.9 ± 0.6ab

MCH (pg) 61.3 ± 0.6b 63.4 ± 1.0ab 59.4 ± 0.9b 65.4 ± 1.6a 50.2 ± 1.4d 57.4 ± 0.1b

MCHC (g/dL) 40.2 ± 0.2 40.1 ± 0.9 38.8 ± 0.1 40.2 ± 0.8 38.2 ± 0.1 38.5 ± 0.7

WBC (105/mL) 5.0 ± 0.2 5.0 ± 0.3 5.5 ± 0.2 5.1 ± 0.2 5.4 ± 0.3 5.4 ± 0.2b

LYM (%) 94.6 ± 1.0 95.5 ± 0.2 94.4 ± 0.5 94.0 ± 0.4 95.3 ± 0.8 95.1 ± 0.7

MON (%) 5.0 ± 0.1 4.1 ± 0.5 5.2 ± 0.1 5.6 ± 0.9 4.3 ± 0.4 4.5 ± 0.2

GRA (%) 0.4 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1 0.4 ± 0.1

TPP (g/dL) 2.7 ± 0.2b 3.4 ± 0.3a 3.2 ± 0.4a 3.2 ± 0.2a 3.4 ± 0.3a 3.3 ± 0.3a

TPA (g/dL) 1.3 ± 0.1b 1.4 ± 0.2a 1.4 ± 0.2a 1.4 ± 0.2a 1.40 ± 0.2a 1.3 ± 0.2b

TPG (g/dL) 1.4 ± 0.1b 2.0 ± 0.1a 1.8 ± 0.2ab 1.8 ± 0.1ab 2.00 ± 0.2a 2.0 ± 0.2a

RBC 5 red blood cell counts; Hct 5 hematocrit; Hb 5 hemoglobin concentrations; MCV 5 mean corpuscular volume;

MCH 5 mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCHC 5 mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; WBC 5 the total white

blood cell; LYM 5 lymphocytes; MON 5 monocytes; GRA 5 granulocytes; TPP 5 total plasma protein; TPA 5 total

plasma albumin; TPG 5 total plasma globulin.1 D1: control; D2: 50 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D3: 100 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D4: 150 mg/kg Ginsana G115; D5: 200 mg/kg

Ginsana G115; D6: 250 mg/kg Ginsana G115. Values are mean 6 SD of triplicate analyses. Means in the same row bearing

different superscript letters differ significantly (P # 0.05).

DIETARY GINSENG HERB (GINSANA� G115) SUPPLEMENTATION FOR NILE TILAPIA 211

Cyprinus carpio (L.) (5.7 105/mL, 89.5%, 1.8%,and 0.5% for WBC, LMP, MON, and GRA,respectively).

All fish fed Ginsana G115-supplemented di-ets had significantly higher levels of TPP, TPA,and TPG compared to fish in the control diet.The TPP ranged from 3.2 to 3.4 versus 2.7 (g/dL), TPA 1.3–1.4 versus 1.3 (g/dL), and TPG1.8–2.0 versus 1.4 (g/dL) in fish fed GinsanaG115-containing diets compared with thosefed the control diet, respectively. Helmy et al.(1974) reported that the increase in serum pro-tein would result when anabolic processes ex-ceeded catabolic ones, and reserved protein isbeing produced in greater quantity to meetincreased metabolic requirements of the fish.They added that an increased catabolic ratewould explain the decreases in serum proteinlevel. Moreover, the cyclic nature of the totalserum protein is an indicator of the changestaking place in the serum globulin fraction.However, Tizard (1992) reported that most tech-niques employed to investigate the immunestate of an animal are those that depend ondetection and measurement of antibody in bloodserum and other body fluids. The source of anti-body in blood serum is globulin. The total serumglobulin level probably reflects the level of spe-cific immunoglobulin (antibody) (Blazer andWolke 1984).

The present results revealed that the use of gin-seng root (Ginsana G115) as a feed additive forNile tilapia is recommended to stimulate growthperformance, nutrient utilization, and somehematological variables. Improved diet utiliza-tion efficiency was observed in Nile tilapia fin-gerlings fed diets containing at least 200 mg/kgGinsana G115 for 17 wk. Further research isneeded to detect the mode of action of GinsanaG115 on tilapia digestibility. Moreover, our find-ings should be confirmed in earthen pond trialsbefore they are applied commercially.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to express his sincerestgratitude to Osama M. El-Husseiny, APICO,Egypt, for the ingredients used in this study.The author would like to thank MohamedA.-H. Wafa, Fish Nutrition Laboratory, NIOF,

Cairo, Egypt, for his help for financial supportof blood analysis, providing Ginsana G115product, and laboratory analyses. Also, theauthor would like to express his sincerest grati-tude to Mohamed A. Mansour, director ofZooControl Company, 6 October City, CairoGovernorate, Egypt, for his kind help.

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