Summary
This 2025 study investigates the potential of Andrographis paniculata leaf extract, a traditional medicinal plant, as a dietary supplement to enhance both growth and nutritional quality in Nile tilapia aquaculture. As suggested by the title, the intervention appears to improve growth performance whilst favourably modifying the fish's fatty acid profile, particularly omega-3 content. Such findings, if confirmed, could offer tilapia producers a plant-based approach to improving both productivity and the nutritional value of a widely consumed farmed fish.
Regional applicability
Findings may have limited direct applicability to UK tilapia farming, which is minimal, but could inform broader strategies in European recirculating aquaculture systems seeking to optimise fish nutritional composition through dietary interventions. The methodology may be of interest to UK researchers examining functional feed additives in other farmed fish species.
Key measures
Growth performance metrics (body weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio); fatty acid profile analysis (omega-3 PUFA content and composition); likely also survival rate, feed intake, and proximate composition
Outcomes reported
The study measured growth performance indicators (weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion efficiency) and fatty acid composition, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, in farmed Nile tilapia receiving graded dietary levels of Andrographis paniculata leaf extract. The research assessed whether herbal supplementation could simultaneously improve production efficiency and enhance the nutritional quality of the cultured fish product.
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