Effects of Soya Saponins on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, and Cholesterol Metabolism in Juvenile Turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L)

Abstract

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of soya saponins on feed intake, growth performance, and cholesterol metabolism in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L). A control diet and two experimental diets were prepared with the supplementation of soya saponins, concentrations being as follows: 0.0% (Diet 1, Control), 0.25% (Diet 2) and 0.5% (Diet 3), respectively. The results showed that 0.25% of dietary soya saponins produced comparable growth performance with the control diet. However, the growth performance of fish fed the diet with 0.5% soya saponins was significantly lower. The selected parameters measured in plasma, liver, and feces of each group were not significantly different. These results suggested that 0.25% dietary soya saponins did not produce negative effects, but but but but 0. 5% of dietary soya saponins significantly reduced fish growth. Dietary soya saponin supplementation to FM-based diet did not significantly affect cholesterol metabolism.