Diphenyl diselenide‐loaded nanocapsules in silver catfish feed enhance growth, improve muscle antioxidant/oxidant status and increase selenium deposition: Advantages of nanotechnology for fish health

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine whether feed supplementation with nanoencapsulated Ph₂Se₂ would improve the growth performance of silver catfish and would maintain or improve the muscle antioxidant system. Final mean weight (p = .031), weight gain (p = .014) and specific growth rates (p = .045) were significantly higher in supplemented fish than in the control group. Muscle reactive oxygen species (p = .0001) levels were significantly lower in supplemented fish than in the control group. Also, muscle hydrogen peroxide (p = .0001) and lipid peroxidation (p = .0001) levels were significantly lower in supplemented fish than in the control group. Muscle antioxidant capacity against peroxyl radical (p = .00001) levels were significantly higher in fish supplemented with both Ph₂Se₂ forms (free or nanocapsules) than in the control group, while muscle superoxide dismutase (p = .001) and catalase (p = .0001) activities were significantly higher in supplemented fish than in the control group. Finally, selenium (Se) deposition (p = .00001) was significantly higher in the muscle of fish supplemented with free and nanoencapsulated forms compared with the control; and deposition levels were significantly higher in fish supplemented with Ph₂Se₂-loaded in nanocapsules compared with the free form. Based on this evidence, Ph₂Se₂-loaded in nanocapsules improves silver catfish performance and antioxidant/oxidant status. The greater content of Se (1.22 µg/g muscle) in the muscle of fish fed with dietary Ph₂Se₂-loaded nanocapsules indicates that it may be considered a nutraceutical for fish.