Abstract
This study appraised the impact of enzymatic cottonseed protein concentrate (ECP) as a fish meal (FM) substitute on the growth and health of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) (initial weight 14.99 ± 0.03 g). Five diets with equal nitrogen, fat, and energy were designed to replace 0%, 7.78%, 15.56%, 23.33%, and 31.11% FM by adding 0%, 3.6%, 7.2%, 10.8%, and 14.4% ECP, named ECP0, ECP3.6, ECP7.2, ECP10.8, and ECP14.4, respectively. We fed 300 fish with five experimental diets for 60 days. The results revealed that weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) did not notably reduce until the addition of ECP exceeded 7.2%. The proximate composition of fish was not affected by the amount of ECP added in diets. Plasma total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations increased with the increase of ECP dosage, while the triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity showed an opposite trend. For hepatic antioxidant capacity, the hepatic total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, glutathione (GSH) content, and the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and CAT were increased by ECP, while the hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the expression of kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) were decreased. With regard to inflammation, the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were inhibited by ECP. In summary, the amount of ECP added to diet can reach 7.2% to replace 15.56% FM without hampering the growth of largemouth bass, and ECP can improve the antioxidant and immune capacity.