Dietary powder and molecular imprinted polymer nanoencapsulated sodium propionate to enhance growth performance, digestive enzymes activity, antioxidant defense, and mucosal immune response in African cichlid (<i>Labidochromis lividus</i>) fingerlings

Abstract This study was conducted to examine the effects of powder sodium propionate (P-SP) and SP- loaded molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) nanoparticles (MIP-SP NPs) on growth, skin mucosal immune parameters, digestive liver enzymes activities African cichlid ( Labidochromis lividus ) fingerlings. Fish with an average weight 500±2 mg were stocked into 12 experimental units fed diets prepared by supplementing basal diet (control) MIP NPs, P-SP (5 g SP kg −1 dry diet), MIP-SP NPs for 8 weeks. The findings demonstrated that growth indices improved in followed dietary group compared control groups (P&lt;0.05). activity lipase, trypsin, protease, alkaline phosphatase higher fish SP-supplemented than controls protease lipase increased 29.33% 48.81% control, respectively In addition, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) aspartate (AST) levels tissue decreased groups, while catalase (CAT ), superoxide dismutase (SOD), (ALP) highest SOD ALP observed NPs-supplemented Furthermore, indices, including alternative hemolytic complement (ACH50), lysozyme, total immunoglobulin (Ig) indicated encapsulated molecularly could enhance efficiency fish.