Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) essential oil in diet on growth performance, biochemical and hematological parameters of goldfish (Carassius auratus)

In this study, the effect of garlic essential oil on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters of goldfish (Carassius auratus) was studied. 180 goldfish with an average weight of 3.4±0.2g in four levels 0 (T0), 0.1 (T0.1), 0.15 (T0.15) and 0.2g (T0.2) of garlic essential oil per kg of diet (triplicate) were evaluated for 8 weeks. The results showed that growth performance and feed conversion ratio in experimental treatments respectively increased and decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Hematocrit, hemoglobin and white and red blood cells in treatments containing garlic essential oil increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Garlic essential oil causes no significant effect on the parameters of MCV, MCH and MCHC (P>0.05). Blood protein levels in treatments fed with garlic essential oil increased significantly and blood glucose levels decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Triglyceride levels in 0.2g/kg group were lower than other treatments (P>0.05). Also, there was no significant difference in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) enzyme activity between experimental and control groups (P>0.05). The results of the present study show that the addition of garlic essential oil can be used as a useful dietary supplement to enhance health and biochemical indicators in goldfish.