Effects of calcium lignosulfonate (LignoBond) as a feed processing enhancer on physical pellet quality, growth performance, and physiological health of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

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Abstract As the aquaculture sector intensifies to meet global protein demands, optimizing feed quality through multifunctional feed additives becomes critical to sustain fish productivity with ecological responsibility. A lignin-based byproduct of the pulp industry, calcium lignosulfonate (LignoBond; LB) could be used as a feed additive to enhance the physical properties of aquafeeds. Hence, this study assessed the biological and technological effects of graded dietary inclusion of 0.0, 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 g LB/kg feed on the performance and physiological status of Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ) juveniles over a 75-day period. It is noted that dietary LB, particularly at 3.0 and 6.0 g/kg feed, improved feed processing metrics, notably pellet durability and water stability—critical attributes in minimizing nutrient leaching and environmental discharge. The dietary LB markedly enhanced final body weight, specific growth rate, and feed intake with the increase in LB levels; meanwhile, feed conversion ratios (1.51–1.45) were insignificantly ( P > 0.05) decreased. Fish growth improvements were linked to elevated intestinal alpha-amylase and trypsin activities and pronounced stimulation of immune and antioxidant responses, including increased total protein, albumin, globulin, lysozyme activity, immunoglobulin M, complement proteins (C3, C4), superoxide dismutase, and catalase values, especially at 3.0 and 6.0 g/kg feed without significant ( P > 0.05) differences between them. Concurrent reductions in plasma ALT, AST, uric acid, and creatinine were recorded in LB-fed fish with no significant ( P > 0.05) differences among them; this underscored improved hepatic and renal integrity. These findings position LignoBond (3.0 g/kg feed) as an optimum biofunctional feed additive that improved feed quality along with marked enhancements in growth and the immune and antioxidative functions.

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