Nutritional and ameliorative effects of dietary curcumin and its nano-silica and nano-zeolite encapsulated forms on growth, biochemical and fatty acid profile of common carp ( Cyprinus carpio )

The present study aimed to examine individual nutritional and ameliorative effects of silica nanoparticles (SiO 2 NPs) and natural zeolite nanoparticles (ZeNPs) and their potential role as carriers to alter the bioavailability of curcumin. Common carps ( Cyprinus carpio ) were fed during 60 days with a control diet, and curcumin, turmeric, SiO 2 NPs, curcumin-loaded SiO 2 NPs, ZeNPs, and curcumin-loaded ZeNPs each at 1, 50, 6.15, 7.15, 39, and 40 g/kg diet, respectively. The highest weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were observed in fish fed with turmeric ( P < 0.05). Moreover, dietary curcumin and ZeNPs increased the content of monounsaturated fatty acids ( P < 0.05). After exposure to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), the lowest amount of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was obtained in fish fed with curcumin ( P < 0.05). In addition, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) decreased significantly in the negative control, curcumin, and curcumin-loaded SiO 2 NPs treatments in comparison to the positive control group ( P < 0.05). The lowest silver accumulation was observed in the negative control and SiO 2 NPs groups ( P < 0.05). This experiment demonstrated that while the nanoencapsulation of curcumin on SiO 2 NPs and ZeNPs did not enhanced the impact of curcumin on the growth and biochemical factors of carps, it can still be considered a potential dietary supplement for enhancing growth and antioxidant indices when added individually to the diet. Graphical abstract