Assessing the immunomodulatory effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder in dietary supplementation on Penaeus vannamei against Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder on immunological parameters and disease resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Penaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931). The active metabolites withanolides containing ashwagandha root powder (ARP) formulated with a 35% protein level as a different dietary concentrations viz. T0 (Control, 0%), T1 (2.5%), T2 (5%) and T3 (7.5%). Penaeus vannamei post-larvae (average weight 0.012g) were selected with a density of 20 no. in each of the 16 treatment tank and distributed in completely randomized design. The ARP feed diets in P. vannamei exhibited significantly higher values in WG, SGR (%), and PER, and significantly lower values in FCR in the treatment T3 feed diet as compared to the control diet (0% ARP), with a significant level of p