Substâncias bioativas do Cerrado como promotor de bem-estar em peixes ornamentais

Abstract

Fish skin coloration is directly influenced by nutrients present in their diet and by the animals' ability to metabolize them. The general objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bioactive substances from cerrado plants, such as the aqueous extract of Erythrina crista-galli and the use of blackberries (Rubus spp), in promoting the well-being of ornamental fish, focusing on coloration, digestive and hepatic metabolism, antioxidant activity and behavior. In the first study, fish (initial average weight of 1.78 ± 0.54 g) were divided into three groups: Treatment (commercial feed supplemented with aqueous extract of E. crista-galli leaves), and fed until apparent satiety for 21 days. The extract was analyzed by mass spectrometry, identifying phenolic compounds and flavonoids. The degree of agitation and the number of sudden movements were lower in all supplemented treatments compared to the control diet, both at 7 and 15 days. Digestive enzyme activity did not differ significantly (p>0.05). The Treatment group showed lower ALT levels and higher levels of the antioxidant CAT. The results indicated that the aqueous extract of E. crista-galli leaves helps maintain liver function and stimulates CAT enzyme activity in the red-eye tetra, suggesting that the identified compounds act on the liver and skin, promoting hepatoprotective and tranquilizing effects. In the second study The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of blackberry use on coloration, antioxidant activity and digestive enzyme profile in black tetra (Gymnocorymbus ternetzi). The treatments evaluated were: (i) Control – fed with a commercial diet; (ii) D1000 – commercial diet + 1000 mg.kg-1 of blackberry anthocyanin microcapsule; and (iii) D2000 – commercial diet + 2000 mg.kg-1 of blackberry anthocyanin microcapsule. They were divided into 9 experimental units (60 L of water) containing ten fish, totaling 30 fish per treatment. The fish were fed for a period of 30 days until apparent satiety. The variables evaluated included coloration, antioxidant activity and digestive enzyme profile. The results indicated that fish fed diets containing blackberry anthocyanins showed significant improvement (p