Ameliorative effect of turmeric supplementation in feed of Labeo rohita (Linn.) challenged with pathogenic Aeromonas veronii

The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of turmeric on the health of rohu (Labeo rohita) challenged with pathogenic Aeromonas veronii. The fish were fed on diets supplemented with different levels of turmeric for 120 days and then challenged with pathogenic A. veronii for 2 weeks, during which fish continued to receive respective turmeric-supplemented diets. Following trial, serum immune parameters and histomorphology of tissues including the intestine, liver, kidney, and gills were examined. The study showed severe effect of A. veronii in TM0 (positive control, basal diet without turmeric, and bacteria injected) treatment compared to TMN (negative control, basal diet without turmeric, and no bacteria injected). The treatments from TM5-TM20 (turmeric-supplemented feed at 5–20-g/kg feed with bacterial injection) showed less intensity of disease symptoms and significantly increased immune response with the increase in turmeric supplementation compared to TM0. In addition, the disease symptoms at tissue histomorphology decreased as the turmeric supplementation increased. Highest supplementation of turmeric (20 g/kg feed) showed reduced bacterial pathogenicity by maintaining nearly normal micro architecture of tissues compared to other turmeric-supplemented groups. The study concludes that A. veronii can infect L. rohita and can cause mortality unless proper preventive measures are practiced. Therefore, supplementation of turmeric could be recommended in aquaculture systems through feed to prevent disease impact.