Dietary cumin polysaccharides improve growth, digestion, and systemic health via enhanced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities, contributing to increased disease resistance in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

2026-05-15

PRE

Nan Li

Xiaodi Shang

Zhe-Ying Gao

Yi-Geng Meng

Chao Cai

Wen-Wen Li

Keming Liu

Xin Zhang *

Wei Zhang *

DOI：10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2026.116750

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The increasing demand for sustainable aquaculture practices has driven the exploration of natural feed additives as alternatives to conventional therapeutics. Cumin polysaccharides (CP), recognized for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in terrestrial models, remain underexplored in aquatic species. This study investigated the effects of dietary CP supplementation on growth performance, physiological responses, and immune function in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Fish were fed diets containing graded levels of CP (0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2%) for 8 weeks. Results demonstrated that CP significantly enhanced growth performance and feed efficiency. Digestive function improved through increased activities of key enzymes including lipase and trypsin. Notably, CP supplementation activated the Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway, leading to upregulated transcription of downstream antioxidant genes (sod1, cat, gsh-px, gr and ho-1) and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, along with reduced oxidative damage. CP supplementation also exhibited distinct immunomodulatory effects, significantly suppressing proinflammatory cytokines (tnf-alpha and il-1 beta) while elevating anti-inflammatory cytokines (il-10 and tgf-beta 1). These physiological improvements collectively conferred enhanced disease resistance, as evidenced by a bacterial challenge test in which CP-fed groups showed significantly higher survival rates following Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Moreover, CP supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in serum triglyceride levels, suggesting a potential beneficial impact on lipid metabolism. These findings collectively indicate that CP acts as a multifunctional feed additive by simultaneously promoting growth, enhancing antioxidant defenses, strengthening disease resistance, and improving immune responses in largemouth bass. Considering that 0.05% was the minimum effective dose yielding similar improvements to higher levels (0.1% and 0.2%), a supplementation dose of 0.05% is recommended for practical application to optimize cost-effectiveness. The study provides foundational evidence for CP application in aquaculture nutrition, offering a natural strategy to enhance fish health and production sustainability.

Keywords:

Cumin polysaccharides

Micropterus salmoides

Antioxidant enzymes

Anti-inflammatory

Immunomodulation

Dietary cumin polysaccharides improve growth, digestion, and systemic health via enhanced antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic activities, contributing to increased disease resistance in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

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