Effect of dietary Syzygium cumini on growth, immunological responses, and resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fingerlings (Sauvage, 1878).

The functional efficacy of dietary Jamun leaf meal (JLM) on growth performance, physiological status, immune competence, and disease resistance was evaluated in Pangasianodon hypophthalmus. Comprehensive phytochemical profiling revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, terpenoids, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals in the JLM extract. Five isonitrogenous and isocalorific experimental diets containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2% JLM were prepared and fed to the respective treatment groups for 60 days. The group fed with 1% JLM diet exhibited improved weight gain (16.46 ± 0.12 g), specific growth rate (1.41 ± 0.02% day⁻1), protein efficiency ratio (2.47 ± 0.06), and feed conversion ratio (1.34 ± 0.03) (P < 0.05). Pre-challenge, the haematological, biochemical, immune, and antioxidant parameters improved significantly in 1% JLM-fed group (P < 0.05). Post-challenge, the stress biomarkers, namely glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, and hepatic enzymes were significantly elevated (P < 0.05) in the control group compared to the JLM-fed groups. Furthermore, the cumulative survival was significantly higher in the 1% JLM-fed group (87.67 ± 5.7%) than in the control group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary administration of JLM at 1% inclusion level enhances growth and health performance in P. hypophthalmus and is a potential feed supplement.