Effects of Supplementation of Ferulic Acid (FA) on Growth Performance, Activities of Digestive Enzymes, Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Metabolism of Large Yellow Croaker (Larimichthys crocea) Larvae

A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate effects of supplementation of ferulic acid (FA) on growth performance, activities of digestive enzyme, antioxidant responses and lipid metabolism of the large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) larvae. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic micro-diets were formulated with graded levels of FA (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). Results showed that larvae fed the diet with supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA had significantly higher survival rate, while the specific growth rate was significantly higher in larvae fed diets with 40 and 80 mg/kg FA than the control group (P < 0.05). Activities of trypsin in pancreatic segments (PS) and intestinal segments, lipase in PS and Alkaline phosphatase in brush border membrane were significantly increased by supplementation of FA compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Supplementation of FA significantly increased activities of total superoxide dismutase and catalase, and reduced the malondialdehyde content compared to the control group. Meanwhile, activities of lysozyme, total nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide content were significantly improved by supplementation of FA in diets. Furthermore, results revealed that supplementation of FA reduced the lipid accumulation in visceral mass of larvae fed the diet with 40 mg/kg FA probably through inhibiting gens expression of lipogenesis-related genes (scd1, fas and dgat2) and promoting expression of lipid catabolism-related genes (aco, cpt1, and hl). In conclusion, appropriate supplementation of 40 mg/kg FA could improve the survival and growth performance of large yellow croaker larvae through increasing digestive, antioxidant capacity and promoting lipid metabolism.