Curcumin as a functional feed additive enhances growth, immunity, antioxidant defense, gut microbiota, muscle quality, and disease resistance in the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense)

The impacts of dietary curcumin on Macrobrachium nipponense were assessed over a 60-day feeding period, focusing on growth performance, biochemistry profiles, immune-physiological parameters, and metabolic traits. Prawns with an initial mean weight of 1.38 ± 0.09 g were fed diets containing 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 g/kg of curcumin. Among various water quality parameters, only dissolved oxygen (DO) levels showed a statistically significant rise correlated with increased curcumin dosage, with the 4.0 g/kg group demonstrating the highest concentration ( P < 0.05). Moreover, growth indices and survival rate (SR) improved notably in prawns fed 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg, with significant differences compared to other groups ( P < 0.05). Hemato-biochemical parameters were generally reduced by curcumin, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels increased ( P < 0.05). Most immune markers and antioxidant measures responded favorably to the supplementation ( P < 0.05), although glutathione peroxidase (GPx), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) levels remained statistically unchanged ( P > 0.05). Diets enriched with 4.0 g/kg of curcumin promoted enhanced digestive enzyme activity, supported beneficial intestinal microflora, improved muscle quality, and disease resistance ( P < 0.05). Additionally, curcumin altered the expression of genes related to growth, immunity, and metabolism ( P < 0.05). Overall, the findings advocate for the inclusion of 4.0 g/kg curcumin in diets to improve performance, physiological status, and metabolic health of M. nipponense .