Effect of Fortified Feed with Phyto-Extract on the First Physical Barrier (Mucus) of .

The aim of the current study was to assess the effect of two different fortified feeds with different concentrations of two important medicinal plants ( and ) on the mucosal immunity of After a dietary intervention, mucus was tested against five pathogenic bacteria (in-vitro), while experimental fish were tested against the ectoparasite (Lernaea) (in-vivo). Our results revealed that all fish groups fed with different concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2%) of had low molecular weight proteins and did not develop any significant signs of parasitic infection, with low mortality rate; whereas the groups that were fed with (particularly with 1% and 2%), including a control group, developed rapid signs of infection with high mortality rate. The highest hemagglutination titer value was recorded for the fish fed with 1% and 1.5% of . The lowest value was found for the fish fed with 2% of . The mucus of all fish of fortified groups was active and inhibited the growth of tested bacterial pathogens as compared to the control group. Further, groups showed greater efficacy against bacteria as compared to the groups. In conclusion, can be considered as a potential and functional ingredient in aquaculture feed. Furthermore, future studies should be conducted to investigate more details on the subject.