In the quest to enhance aquaculture productivity and sustainability, researchers have turned to an unlikely ally: the sharp-leaf galangal, a medicinal herb with a rich history in traditional Chinese medicine. A recent study published in the journal Aquaculture Reports, titled “Effects of dietary sharp-leaf galangal (Alpinia oxyphylla) fruit extract on growth, muscle composition, immune responses, gut flora, and disease resistance in juvenile red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus),” has revealed promising insights into the potential of this plant extract to revolutionize the aquaculture industry.
Led by Chi Xu, a researcher at the Guangdong South China Sea Key Laboratory of Aquaculture for Aquatic Economic Animals and the Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Functional Components Research and Utilization of Marine Bio-Resources, the study investigated the effects of Alpinia oxyphylla fruit extract (AOE) on the growth, immune responses, gut flora, and disease resistance of juvenile red claw crayfish. The findings could have significant implications for the commercial aquaculture sector, particularly in enhancing the productivity and resilience of farmed species.
The study involved feeding juvenile red claw crayfish diets supplemented with varying levels of AOE for 56 days. The results were striking. Crayfish fed diets containing 1–3 grams per kilogram of AOE exhibited significantly higher specific growth rates and weight gain compared to the control group. This suggests that AOE could be a valuable feed additive for enhancing the growth performance of farmed crayfish.
“Our findings indicate that dietary supplementation with AOE can significantly improve the growth and immune responses of juvenile red claw crayfish,” said Chi Xu. “This could have substantial commercial benefits for the aquaculture industry, particularly in improving the productivity and profitability of crayfish farming.”
The study also revealed that AOE supplementation enhanced the activities of various enzymes involved in digestion and immune function, including lipase, trypsin, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Additionally, AOE supplementation induced the expression of several genes related to immune function, suggesting that the extract could enhance the crayfish’s ability to fight off infections and diseases.
One of the most intriguing findings of the study was the effect of AOE on the gut microbiota of the crayfish. The researchers found that AOE supplementation altered the composition of the gut microbiota, increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Hypnocyclicus, Cloacibacterium, and Aeromonas. This could have important implications for the health and well-being of farmed crayfish, as a healthy gut microbiota is essential for optimal growth and disease resistance.
The study also investigated the effect of AOE on the survival rates of crayfish under infection with Aeromonas hydrophila, a common bacterial pathogen in aquaculture. The results showed that crayfish fed diets supplemented with 1–3 grams per kilogram of AOE had significantly higher survival rates than the control group, suggesting that AOE could be a valuable tool for enhancing the disease resistance of farmed crayfish.
The findings of this study have significant implications for the commercial aquaculture sector. As the demand for seafood continues to grow, there is an urgent need for sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices that can meet this demand while minimizing the environmental impact. The use of plant extracts such as AOE could be a valuable tool for achieving these goals, as they are natural, sustainable, and have the potential to enhance the productivity and resilience of farmed species.
“This study provides valuable insights into the potential of plant extracts to enhance the growth and immune function of farmed species,” said Chi Xu. “We hope that our findings will encourage further research into the use of natural feed additives in aquaculture and pave the way for more sustainable and productive aquaculture practices.”
As the aquaculture industry continues to evolve, the use of natural feed additives such as AOE could play an increasingly important role in enhancing the productivity and sustainability of farmed species. The findings of this study provide a promising glimpse into the potential of plant extracts to revolutionize the aquaculture industry and meet the growing demand for seafood in a sustainable and responsible manner.