Growth, Hematology and Immuno-Modulatory Potential of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Supplemented Diets in Clarias gariepinus Juvenile (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

A-70 day study was conducted to investigate the growth, hematology andimmune-modulatory effect of ginger supplemented diets in Clarias gariepinus.Ginger was added to the diet of fish at 0% (control), 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), 1.5% (T3)and 2.0% (T4). Fish fed 1.0% (T2) ginger had best growth performance with finalweight (75.07±2.97g), weight gain (49.98±2.96g), Specific growth rate (SGR)(5.58±0.08g) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) (1.31±0.08) which was significantlydifferent (P0.05) when comparedto the control. T2 (1.0% ginger) had best haematological profile. Result on red cellindices revealed that Mean cell haemoglobin concentration and mean cellhemoglobin were not significantly different (P>0.05) among fish groups while meancell volume differed significantly (P˂0.05). Result on immunological study(leukocyte differentials) revealed insignificant changes (P>0.05) in the values of allparameters examined with reference to the control. Phytochemical screening ofginger showed that it contains good amount of minerals (sodium, potassium,magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper and manganese) and anti-nutrients (tannin, oxalate, phytate and saponin). C. gariepinus fed 1.0% dietaryinclusion level of ginger had better growth and haematological profile.