Investigations on the use of exopolysaccharide derived from mycelial extract of Ganoderma lucidum as functional feed ingredient for aquaculture-farmed red hybrid Tilapia (Oreochromis sp.)

There is growing interest in medicinal fungi for promoting immunomodulation benefits in humans and animals. In this study, exopolysaccharide (EPS) from Ganoderma lucidum was used in feed (EFF) on production of farmed-red hybrid Tilapia performance for sustainable aquaculture. The feeding trial was conducted for a period of 42 days. Tilapia weight gain (WG) was significantly the highest (18.75 ± 0.03 g/fish) using 3 g/kg of EFF compared to control (0 g/kg EFF; 12.4 g/fish). Fish fed with 3 g/kg of EFF were shown to be healthiest as attested by measured organosomatic indices that achieved an hepatosomatic index (HSI) of 2.22% and condition factor (CF) of 1.46% compared to control (1.97% HSI; 1.60 CF). Antioxidant activity of Glutathione S-transferase (GST) exhibited significantly lower activities in 1 and 2 g/kg of EFF while increasing catalase (CAT) activity was detected in higher EFF (2-3 g/kg of EPS). Muscle compositions were not affected by the EFF feeding regimes. In contrast, EFF feeding produced significantly higher haemoglobin (7.43 g/dl), haematocrit (37.5%), red blood cell (2.69 10⁶/mm³), and white blood cell (176.7 10⁶/mm³) compared to control group. In summary, EFF was beneficial in promoting growth, stimulating antioxidant enzymes, and health status of red hybrid Tilapia, which highlights the potential for future use in intensive sustainable aquaculture practices.