| Abstrak/Abstract |
Alginate that is usually
extracted from brown seaweeds, is a bioactive substance with immunomodulator activity. The purpose of this
research was to evaluate the effect of oral administration of alginate on the non-specific immune system of
walking catfish (Clarias sp.). An experiment was conducted in a Completely Randomized Design with five
treatments in triplicates. Alginate was supplemented in feed at doses of 0 (control treatment), 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg
of feed. The walking catfish was fed twice daily at feeding rate of 5%. Non-specific defense parameters
evaluated were Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) activity, phagocytic activity (PA), phagocytic index (PI), leukocyte
differentiation, hematocrit and leucocrit. The parameters were observed prior to be treated, 5th, 10th and 15th days
after treatments. Oral administration of alginate at 4 g/kg of feed increased NBT and PA activities significantly
(P<0.05) in 5 days, while alginate at a dose of 6 g/kg increased NBT activity and monocyte percentage
significantly (P<0.05) in 5 days. These results suggested that oral administration of alginate at 4 g/kg effectively
increased non-specific immune system of walking catfish. |
