Puerarin: From the roots of kudzu to the front lines of stress modulation in farmed fish
Abstract
Farmed fish reared in aquaculture systems are exposed to physiological stressors from biological, chemical, and physical sources. The consequences of these stressors affect the productivity of farming outcomes by reducing immune response, growth, and development within fish. An 8-week study was performed to determine the effects of supplementing puerarin-the most biologically active ingredient present in the roots of kudzu (Puerarin lobata)-within farmed fish. Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fingerlings were maintained in 10 liter glass tanks at 16 ± 20C which were supplied with recirculated and aerated dechlorinated water. Puerarin was given to fish through supplementation to commercial fish feed pellets. The results indicated that administration of puerarin through feed supplementation reduces plasma cortisol, protein levels, along with blood hematocrit while improving spleen somatic indices and respiratory burst response over an 8 week period when compared to fish fed a control diet without affecting growth, and thereby counteracts the negative consequences of stress induced through handling and experienced by fish reared in aquaculture. Being one of the first studies to study the effects of puerarin on fish over an extended period, our results are concurrent with prior research with puerarin on other animal models.
Degree
M.S.
Advisors
Mustafa, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Biology|Cellular biology|Physiology
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