Effects of polysaccharides-crude extract from Candida sp. OCL1 on hematological parameters of Aeromonas hydrophila- infected catfish (Pangasius pangasius)

Fishery processing waste is an environmental problem. Fish waste, such as the head of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus), is underutilized and has a low economic value, even though the waste can be re-processed. The Pangasius pangasius is an important economic fish species in Indonesia. The production usually decreased due to the infection of the bacteria, Aeromonas hydrophila. To overcome the infection, the addition of immunostimulant agents is a substantial effort. One of the well-known agents is β-glucan, which can be found in the yeast cell wall. This experiment evaluated the effect of polysaccharides-crude extract from Candida sp. OCL1 (PCEC) with four different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%) on nonspecific immune parameters of catfish P. pangasius. Results indicated that diet supplementation with PCEC gave a non-significant difference (P > 0.05) in all blood cells parameter (total white blood cell, neutrophil, monocyte, lymphocyte, macrophage) and phagocytosis of macrophage activity on day 0. PCEC diet was significant (P < 0.05) affected all hematological parameters. We conclude that the PCEC diet in the feed improves the non-specific immune system of Catfish (P. pangasius).