A 95-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of feeding Bacillus subtilis fermented Azolla (BSFA) on nonspecific immunity, antioxidative status, intestinal digestive
enzymes and histomorphometry, and
disease resistance in the Nile tilapia. We formulated five isonitrogenous and isocaloric experimental diets to incorporate BSFA at level of (0%, 15%, 30%, 45%, 60%). The growth performance parameters (FBW, BWG, SGR, PER, and FCR) revealed a significant increase in the BSFA30 tilapia group compared to the control group followed by BSFA45 (P < 0.05). The BSFA30 group exhibited the highest nonspecific immunity parameters including (
lysozyme activity, phagocytic index, and phagocytic activity) compared to other groups (P < 0.05). SOD and GPx reported the highest values in the BSFA60 group. Nile tilapia carcass composition was not influenced by BSFA inclusion level (P > 0.05). Interestingly, Nile tilapia fed with BSFA15 diet exhibited the highest
protease activity level (P < 0.05), while those fed on BSFA30 documented the highest
amylase activity. Intestinal histomorphology was significantly enhanced with the gradual increase of administrated BSFA. Regarding the tilapia
disease resistance against Aeromonas
septicemia, BSFA significantly diminished the cumulative mortality compared to the control group. To sum up, BSFA was more effective in improving the growth performance and immunity of Nile tilapia.