This study examined whether adding the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum to tilapia diets could improve resilience to bacterial infection. After feeding fish a diet containing 20 g/kg of seaweed meal, researchers challenged them with Aeromonas hydrophila, a common pathogen in aquaculture.
While the inclusion of A. nodosum did not significantly change growth or feed performance, it did result in a significant greated body width and delivered important health benefits. Fish fed seaweed showed fewer lesions, faster recovery, and reduced tissue damage, with clear protection against hepatopancreatic congestion compared to untreated fish.
These results suggest the role of A. nodosum as a natural functional ingredient, helping fish better resist and recover from bacterial challenges without relying on antibiotics.