Effects of dietary α-lipoic acid on growth, body composition and antioxidant status in the Plata pompano Trachinotus marginatus (Pisces, Carangidae)

This study evaluated the effect of four doses of α-lipoic acid (LA) from dietary supplementation on growth performance, body composition and anti-oxidant status in the fish Trachinotus marginatus. The fish fed for 42 days with a diet containing different concentrations of LA: 0 mg LA kg− 1 dry food, 316.4 mg LA kg− 1 dry food, 524 mg LA kg− 1 dry food, 890.4 mg LA kg− 1 dry food and 1367.3 mg LA kg− 1 dry food. High doses (890.4 and 1367.3 mg LA kg− 1) of dietary LA significantly reduced the growth (p < 0.05), the specific growth rate and the protein efficiency ratio. When administered in high doses of LA, supplementation significantly decreased the feed intake (p < 0.05), although the feed conversion ratio increased (p < 0.05) in these groups. The carcass composition exhibited the highest lipid values in the control group and in the fish exposed to 316.4 and 524 mg LA kg− 1 dry food (p < 0.05). The LA dietary supplementation increased the brain activity of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) when administered at a dose of 890.4 mg LA kg− 1 dry food, and the lipid peroxidation in muscle was reduced (at all LA doses) (p < 0.05). The results obtained regarding growth, antioxidant status and lipid and protein metabolism indicated that LA could be supplemented in diets for T. marginatus at doses between 316.4 and 524 mg LA kg− 1 dry food.

► Dietary lipoic acid (LA) supplementation affected growth performance in Plata pompano.
► High LA doses significantly decreased the feed intake.
► Supplementation of LA reduced muscle lipid peroxidation.
► Dietary LA can be supplemented in doses between 316.4 and 524 mg LA kg− 1.