Effects of a Vitamin-Mineral Premix Containing Probiotic (Pro Max Plus) on Growth Performances and Innate Immune Responses of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
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Abstract
Developing feed additives capable of enhancing growth performance, fish health, and economic profitability remains a major challenge in intensive aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of a probiotic-enriched vitamin–mineral premix (Pro Max Plus) on growth performance, feed utilization, innate immune responses, and economic returns in juvenile Nile tilapia (initial mean weight of 42.36 ± 3.95 g). A 60-day feeding trial was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three dietary treatments: control, a basal diet without supplementation; Pro Max, a basal diet supplemented with a vitamin–mineral premix at 5 g/kg feed; and Pro Max Plus, a basal diet supplemented with a probiotic-containing vitamin–mineral premix at 5 g/kg feed. Fish fed the Pro Max Plus supplementary diet exhibited significantly superior growth performance compared with the other treatments (p < 0.05), achieving the highest weight gain (68.80 g), daily weight gain (1.15 g/day), and specific growth rate (1.85%/day). Feed utilization was also improved, as indicated by the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR = 0.80) and the highest survival rate (95.55%). Immunological assessments revealed enhanced innate immune responses in fish receiving the probiotic-enriched diet, including increased lysozyme activity, respiratory burst activity, and agglutinating antibody titers. Furthermore, dietary supplementation upregulated the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine gene IL-1β while modulating TNF-α expression, suggesting improved immune regulation. Although the probiotic-supplemented diet incurred a slightly higher feed cost, it generated the greatest economic benefit, with the highest benefit–cost ratio (BCR = 1.91) and a profit of 2.19 ± 0.10 THB/fish. These findings demonstrate that supplementation of a vitamin–mineral premix combined with probiotics represents an effective nutritional strategy for improving growth performance, strengthening immune competence, and enhancing economic profitability in commercial Nile tilapia production.
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