UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Aquaculture, a rapidly growing sector important for food security and economic development, increasingly employs nanotechnology-based supplements such as biogenic calcium oxide nanoparticles encapsulated with Mithun biofluid distillate to improve growth, immunity, digestive physiology, disease resistance, and muscle composition in Mozambique tilapia .The current study evaluated the impact of dietary supplementation with Mithun urine distillate (MUD) encapsulated calcium oxide (CaO) nanoparticles on digestive enzyme activity and tissue biochemical parameters in tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Healthy fingerlings (10 ± 0.5 g) were randomly allocated to five treatment groups, each triplicate, and were providing diets comprising (Control as basal diet) 0 (control), (T1) 100, (T2) 200, (T3) 400, and (T4) 600 mg/kg of MUD-encapsulated CaO nanoparticles over a period of 60 days. The fish were fed at a rate of 4% of their body weight, and the growth conditions were maintained under optimal water quality parameters. At the conclusion of the experimental period, digestive enzyme activities and the proximate composition of the dorsal muscle were evaluated. The findings indicated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in digestive enzyme activities, including amylase, protease, and lipase, in the fish that received diets supplemented with nanoparticles compared to the control group. Among the treatment levels, the supplementation of 400 mg/kg produced the highest enzyme activity, suggesting enhanced digestive efficiency. Additionally, tissue biochemical parameters demonstrated considerable improvement, evidenced by elevated crude protein content and optimized lipid levels in the treated groups. These enhancements in proximate composition imply improved nutrient assimilation and metabolic efficiency. It is noteworthy that higher inclusion levels (600 mg/kg) did not confer additional benefits, indicating a dose-dependent response. In summary, dietary supplementation with 400 mg/kg of MUD-encapsulated CaO nanoparticles significantly enhances digestive enzyme activity and tissue biochemical indices in O. mossambicus, illustrating its potential as an innovative and environmentally friendly feed additive for sustainable aquaculture practices.