Antioxidant and immunostimulant potentials of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. in Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru)

Medicinal plants are alternative supplements to increase antioxidant and immune capacity of farmed fish. In this study, the composition (polyphenols and flavonoids) and antioxidant capacity (FRAP and ABTS) of Chenopodium ambrosioides L. was analyzed; and the effects of dietary (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0%) C. ambrosioides L. on antioxidant and immune parameters were evaluated in Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru). The results indicated that C. ambrosioides L. has a strong antioxidant capacity, which was related with a high polyphenol content. Fish fed C. ambrosioides L. had higher hemoglobin content after week 4; while, respiratory burst activity significantly increased in fish fed 0.5% C. ambrosioides L. dose at week 2 and 4. Similarly, leukocyte blood populations significantly increased in fish fed 0.5% C. ambrosioides L. In contrast, fish fed 1.0% C. ambrosioides had antimicrobial activity in skin mucus against Vthrio parahaemolyticus and Aeromonas hydrophila. Moreover, skin mucus anti-protease, lysozyme, and peroxidase activities were enhanced in fish fed 0.5 or 1.0% C. ambrosioides. Finally, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were higher in fish fed 1.0 or 2.0% C. ambrosioides. In conclusion, the results indicate that dietary C. ambrosioides has antioxidative and immunostimulant properties for innovative applications in finfish.