Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health

Bidens pilosa is a widespread invasive species typically regarded as a weed with no economic value. Repurposing this plant as a functional feed ingredient presents a sustainable, cost-effective approach for aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of adding dietary B. pilosa leaf ethanol extrac...

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Main Authors: Nantaporn Sutthi, Eakapol Wangkahart, Wipavee Thaimuangphol, Prasoborn Rinthong, Laorsri Sanoamuang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Aquaculture Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003539
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author Nantaporn Sutthi
Eakapol Wangkahart
Wipavee Thaimuangphol
Prasoborn Rinthong
Laorsri Sanoamuang
author_facet Nantaporn Sutthi
Eakapol Wangkahart
Wipavee Thaimuangphol
Prasoborn Rinthong
Laorsri Sanoamuang
author_sort Nantaporn Sutthi
collection DOAJ
description Bidens pilosa is a widespread invasive species typically regarded as a weed with no economic value. Repurposing this plant as a functional feed ingredient presents a sustainable, cost-effective approach for aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of adding dietary B. pilosa leaf ethanol extract on growth performance, immune responses, gene expression, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia. Experimental diets supplemented a basal feed with B. pilosa extract at 2.5 g/kg (T2), 5.0 g/kg (T3), and 10.0 g/kg (T4); the control group (T1) received no supplementation. After a 60-day feeding trial, fish in the T2 exhibited significantly higher weight gain, daily growth rate, and an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the T2 group had the highest fillet yield and the lowest carcass yield (P < 0.05). Biochemical analyses revealed that the highest extract level (T4) induced oxidative stress and immune dysregulation, including both immune suppression and potential ineffective immunity, evidenced by elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, alongside decreased lysozyme activity (LZM), myeloperoxidase (MPO), red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (P < 0.05). In contrast, the T2 group exhibited the highest post-challenge survival (53.33 ± 15.27 %) against Streptococcus agalactiae and upregulated growth hormone (GH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) gene expression (P < 0.05). Quadratic regression analysis estimated the optimal inclusion level at 4.29–4.58 g/kg. These findings demonstrate that supplementation at 2.5 g/kg enhances growth, immune competence, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia, whereas excessive inclusion (10 g/kg) may provoke oxidative stress, dual immune suppression, and inflammatory toxicity, underscoring the importance of precise dosage optimization for sustainable aquaculture.
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series Aquaculture Reports
spelling doaj-art-9b882d91662f4935a1fb952a088e55cd2025-08-20T03:40:46ZengElsevierAquaculture Reports2352-51342025-09-014310296710.1016/j.aqrep.2025.102967Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) healthNantaporn Sutthi0Eakapol Wangkahart1Wipavee Thaimuangphol2Prasoborn Rinthong3Laorsri Sanoamuang4Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Applied Animal and Aquatic Sciences Research Unit, Division of Fisheries, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDepartment of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Applied Animal and Aquatic Sciences Research Unit, Division of Fisheries, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandDepartment of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Applied Animal and Aquatic Sciences Research Unit, Division of Fisheries, Faculty of Technology, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandPharmaceutical Chemistry and Natural Products Research Unit, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, ThailandInternational College, and Applied Taxonomic Research Center, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand; Corresponding author.Bidens pilosa is a widespread invasive species typically regarded as a weed with no economic value. Repurposing this plant as a functional feed ingredient presents a sustainable, cost-effective approach for aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of adding dietary B. pilosa leaf ethanol extract on growth performance, immune responses, gene expression, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia. Experimental diets supplemented a basal feed with B. pilosa extract at 2.5 g/kg (T2), 5.0 g/kg (T3), and 10.0 g/kg (T4); the control group (T1) received no supplementation. After a 60-day feeding trial, fish in the T2 exhibited significantly higher weight gain, daily growth rate, and an improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the T2 group had the highest fillet yield and the lowest carcass yield (P < 0.05). Biochemical analyses revealed that the highest extract level (T4) induced oxidative stress and immune dysregulation, including both immune suppression and potential ineffective immunity, evidenced by elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, alongside decreased lysozyme activity (LZM), myeloperoxidase (MPO), red blood cell (RBC) count, and hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (P < 0.05). In contrast, the T2 group exhibited the highest post-challenge survival (53.33 ± 15.27 %) against Streptococcus agalactiae and upregulated growth hormone (GH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) gene expression (P < 0.05). Quadratic regression analysis estimated the optimal inclusion level at 4.29–4.58 g/kg. These findings demonstrate that supplementation at 2.5 g/kg enhances growth, immune competence, and disease resistance in Nile tilapia, whereas excessive inclusion (10 g/kg) may provoke oxidative stress, dual immune suppression, and inflammatory toxicity, underscoring the importance of precise dosage optimization for sustainable aquaculture.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003539Disease resistanceFisheriesGene expressionHairy beggar ticksImmune responses
spellingShingle Nantaporn Sutthi
Eakapol Wangkahart
Wipavee Thaimuangphol
Prasoborn Rinthong
Laorsri Sanoamuang
Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
Aquaculture Reports
Disease resistance
Fisheries
Gene expression
Hairy beggar ticks
Immune responses
title Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
title_full Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
title_fullStr Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
title_full_unstemmed Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
title_short Using invasive weed (Bidens pilosa L.) as a feed supplement to promote Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) health
title_sort using invasive weed bidens pilosa l as a feed supplement to promote nile tilapia oreochromis niloticus health
topic Disease resistance
Fisheries
Gene expression
Hairy beggar ticks
Immune responses
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352513425003539
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