Semisynthetic ferulic acid derivative: an efficient feed additive for Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Ferulic acid (FA) derivative was synthesized by modifying the functional groups of FA as dietary additive in the feeding of Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) juveniles. Structural confirmation of this compound was based on IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR techniques. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary FA derivative supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant status and serum biochemical parameters of GIFT juveniles compared with that of FA. A total of 675 fish with an average initial weight of 10.73 ± 0.40 g were fed nine diets supplemented with 0, 0.26, 0.52, 1.04 and 2.08 mmol kg^?1 FA, or 0.26, 0.52, 1.04 and 2.08 mmol kg^?1 FA derivative. Each diet was assigned to three replicate groups of 25 experimental tilapia for 56 days. Weight gain (WG) in groups of fish fed FA derivative was much higher than that of fish fed FA diet (P < 0.05). The antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT and GPx) in serum and liver of tilapia fed the FA derivative diets were significantly higher, while the malondialdehyde values were significantly lower than those of the fish fed the FA diets (P < 0.05). The serum biochemical parameters of GIFT were significantly improved by the FA derivative supplement. Moreover, feed conversion ratio, hepatosomatic index and viscerosomatic index were significantly decreased in fish fed FA or FA derivative diet at 0.52 mmol kg^?1 feed (P < 0.05). The investigation on the semisynthetic FA derivative provides a new way for developing safe and efficient feed additives.