Abstract
Ferulic acid {3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-2-propenoic acid}, γ-oryzanol {3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-2-propenoic acid ester} and phytic acid (myo-inositol hexaphosphoric acid) derived from rice bran were evaluated for the ability to enhance the non-specific immunodefense activity of goldfish, Carassius auratus. Oral administration of these supplements with 100 and 500 mg/kg body weight/day to goldfish for 40 days resulted in increased some immunodefense indices as follows: the number of granulocytes in blood, the phagocytic activity and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction activity of granulocytes, natural killer-like cell reaction, the amount of skin mucus secreted by γ-oryzanol admnistration, and the lysozyme activity of skin mucus secreted by ferulic acid or phytic acid administration. The results indicate that these supplements enhance the non-specific immunodefense ability of goldfish.
