Nutritional modulation with chitosan nanoparticles and α-tocopherol enhances growth, health and gut histology in butter catfish (Ompok pabda)

This study evaluated the effects of dietary chitosan nanoparticles (CNP), α-tocopherol (VE), and their nanocomposite (CNP-VE) on growth performance, haematology, biochemistry, liver function, immunoglobulin, and intestinal histology of butter catfish (Ompok pabda). Four diets were tested: a control (T1), 5 g kg−1 CNP (T2), 500 mg kg−1 VE (T3), and 5 g kg−1 CNP + 500 mg kg−1 VE (T4). A total of 240 adult fish (13.56 ± 0.33 cm and 14.98 ± 0.78 g) were randomly assigned to the treatments in triplicate groups (n = 20) for a 60-day feeding period. Total length, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and specific growth rate, significantly improved in supplemented groups, with the best performance observed in T4 (p < 0.05). Haematological analysis revealed significant increases in red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and MCHC in T4. While total protein, albumin, and globulin remained unchanged, glucose and bilirubin levels were significantly lower in T4, indicating improved metabolic status. IgM level was enhanced across treatments, with the greatest increase in T4. Histological examination showed improved intestinal structure in T4, including uniform goblet cell distribution and well-formed villi. These findings suggest that combined supplementation of CNP and VE has a synergistic effect in enhancing growth, physiological health, immunity, and gut morphology in O. pabda under intensive culture.

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