Use of exogenous enzymes in diets for juvenile pompano trachinotus marginatus: growth and liver and intestine morphophysiology

Abstract

This study investigated the use of exogenous enzymes in diets of juvenile pompano Trachinotus marginatus. Six diets (43% protein, 8% lipid), containing 0 (TC), 25 (T25), 50 (T50), 100 (T100), 250 (T250), and 500 (T500) mg kg^-1 of multiple enzymes Rovabio ® MAX AP were produced. The effects on growth performance, body composition, liver glycogen, triglyceride levels, and intestinal and hepatic morphological alterations were assessed. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in growth performance among fish fed diets T100, T250, and T500, with high liver triglyceride accumulation and changes in morphology in the fish fed diets T250 and T500. The calcium concentration in the bones showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) only in fish fed diets T50, T100, and T250 in relation to control. However, there were no significant differences in body composition, intestinal morphology, or liver glycogen concentration. These results suggest that 100 mg enzyme per kg diet was the optimal level of inclusion for juvenile pompano, favoring improved growth performance and calcium concentration in the bones without significant effects on liver triglyceride levels