Preliminary assessment of dietary supplementation of Sangrovit® on red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance and health

A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded dietary supplementation of Sangrovit®, a commercial product containing the isoquinoline alkaloid sanguinarine, on red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance, feed utilisation, hepatic function, haematological parameters and gut microbiota. Compared to the control group (1.03 g fish− 1 day− 1), significant elevations in mean daily feed intake (1.19-1.25) were observed in fish fed Sangrovit® diets during the 60-day feeding period. Consequently, the specific growth rate (3.94-4.05% day− 1) and weight gain (66.80-71.85 g fish− 1) were significantly higher in the Sangrovit®-fed groups. With the exception of total leukocyte levels, which were elevated in fish fed Sangrovit®-supplemented diets, haematological and immunological parameters remained unaffected. Hepatic alanine aminotransferase activity and hepatosomatic index also remained unaffected in all fish groups. Compared to the control group, the allochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations were lower in fish fed diets containing Sangrovit® at 75 and 100 mg kg− 1. The present study demonstrates that Sangrovit® had a positive effect on tilapia growth performance with no apparent effects on carcass composition, hepatic function and health status.