Queen bee (Apis mellifera ligustica Spin.) larvae meal (QBLM) is a valuable by-product of royal jelly production with high nutritional value and biological activities. This work evaluates the effects of its inclusion (1, 2 and 3%) in the diet for 120 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (80-day trial) on growth performance, fillet quality, hepatointestinal histomorphology and inflammation. No effects were found in growth performance and marketable traits of fish. No statistical significance was detected for the liver total lipid content, while a trend of increase in n-3 PUFA content was observed in the fillets of QBLM-fed fish. QBLM 3% fillets showed an improved oxidative status, with lower conjugated dienes (CD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values. Liver histomorphometry showed that diets influenced the shape of the hepatocytes. Hepatocyte nuclear dimensions were significantly higher in QBLM-fed groups compared to the control (CTRL). QBLM 3% fed fish did not show nuclear displacement and presented a more regular-tissue morphology. Moreover, a lower level of hepatocyte hypertrophy and leukocyte infiltration was observed in QBLM 2% and QBLM 3% fed fish. The Liver Histopathological Index was significantly lower in fish fed the QBLM enriched diets. A significant reduction of TNFα and COX2 immunopositivity was found in the liver of QBLM 3% compared to the CTRL. Intestinal histology showed that the inclusion of QBLM reduced the tissue structural damage, and the number of goblet cells compared to the CTRL group. No significant differences were found for TNFα immunoexpression in the intestine. Based on these results, the inclusion of QBLM in the diet produced beneficial effects on the health of European sea bass, especially at the highest tested inclusion dose (3%). In conclusion, QBLM appears to be a promising sustainable and environmentally friendly feed ingredient in the aquaculture sector.
Queen bee larvae meal (Apis mellifera ligustica Spin.) in Dicentrarchus labrax diet: growth performance, haepatointestinal histomorphology and fillet quality
Imperatore R.
;Orso G.;Paolucci M.;Parisi G.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Queen bee (Apis mellifera ligustica Spin.) larvae meal (QBLM) is a valuable by-product of royal jelly production with high nutritional value and biological activities. This work evaluates the effects of its inclusion (1, 2 and 3%) in the diet for 120 European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (80-day trial) on growth performance, fillet quality, hepatointestinal histomorphology and inflammation. No effects were found in growth performance and marketable traits of fish. No statistical significance was detected for the liver total lipid content, while a trend of increase in n-3 PUFA content was observed in the fillets of QBLM-fed fish. QBLM 3% fillets showed an improved oxidative status, with lower conjugated dienes (CD) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) values. Liver histomorphometry showed that diets influenced the shape of the hepatocytes. Hepatocyte nuclear dimensions were significantly higher in QBLM-fed groups compared to the control (CTRL). QBLM 3% fed fish did not show nuclear displacement and presented a more regular-tissue morphology. Moreover, a lower level of hepatocyte hypertrophy and leukocyte infiltration was observed in QBLM 2% and QBLM 3% fed fish. The Liver Histopathological Index was significantly lower in fish fed the QBLM enriched diets. A significant reduction of TNFα and COX2 immunopositivity was found in the liver of QBLM 3% compared to the CTRL. Intestinal histology showed that the inclusion of QBLM reduced the tissue structural damage, and the number of goblet cells compared to the CTRL group. No significant differences were found for TNFα immunoexpression in the intestine. Based on these results, the inclusion of QBLM in the diet produced beneficial effects on the health of European sea bass, especially at the highest tested inclusion dose (3%). In conclusion, QBLM appears to be a promising sustainable and environmentally friendly feed ingredient in the aquaculture sector.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
