Effects of chicory polysaccharides on the growth, antioxidant activity, and disease resistance in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae)

Abstract

\n An eight-week study was conducted to determine requirements for chicory polysaccharides (CP) and their effects on the growth and immunity in the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis H. Milne Edwards, 1853, followed by a challenge assay with the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) for ten days. Crabs were separately fed with CP-free, 0.5% CP, 1% CP, and 4% CP diets. Results showed that crabs fed with 1% and 4% CP diets exhibited significant higher growth rate than that of controls (P < 0.05). The acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and peroxidase (POD) activities in the 1% CP group were clearly higher than those in the control groups (P < 0.05). The contents of glutathione (GSH) in 1% CP and 4% CP groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in experimental groups, especially in the 1% CP group, decreased significantly relative to those in the control group (P < 0.05). When challenged by WSSV, the cumulative mortality was the lowest in the 4% CP group, whereas that in the control group was the highest (P < 0.05). Our study revealed that CP-supplemented diets enhanced specific growth, antioxidant activity, and anti-WSSV resistance in E. sinensis. Based on our findings, we suggest a CP diet content of 10 g kg–1 (1%).