Comparative Effects of Silkworm Excrement Concentrate Extract Versus Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin on Growth, Metabolic Health and Immune Response in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio)

TL;DR

This study compares two additives from silkworm excrement in carp feed, finding that one offers broad health benefits while the other has more targeted effects.

Contribution

The study reveals distinct functional profiles of two silkworm excrement derivatives in carp, offering insights for sustainable aquaculture feed development.

Findings

0.5% SCE is safe and beneficial, while 1.0% SCE impairs growth and digestive enzyme activity.

SCE enhances lipid metabolism and immunomodulation, while SCC mainly affects lipid catabolism and selective antioxidant activity.

SCE provides broad-spectrum health benefits, whereas SCC offers specific, stable bioactivity.

Abstract

This study evaluated two silkworm-excrement-derived additives—SCE (concentrated extract) and SCC (sodium copper chlorophyllin)—in common carp feed. Results indicated that 0.5% SCE was safe, whereas 1.0% SCE impaired growth. Both additives enhanced lipid metabolism and antioxidant capacity but through different pathways. SCE provided broad-spectrum benefits, including multi-gene-mediated immunomodulation, while SCC exerted more targeted effects, primarily in lipid catabolism and selective antioxidant activity, with limited impact on immunity and growth. These findings demonstrate that multi-component SCE acts synergistically for integrated health modulation, while SCC serves as a specific, stable alternative. The study supports the valorization of agricultural by-products for sustainable aquaculture.

This study investigated the efficacy of two value-added products derived from silkworm excrement—a concentrated extract (SCE, 20:1) and sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC)—as functional feed additives for common carp. Diets supplemented with 0.5% SCE, 1.0% SCE, or 0.1% SCC were compared to a basal control. The results revealed a distinct dose-dependent effect for SCE: 0.5% SCE was safe, while 1.0% SCE impaired growth, feed efficiency, and digestive enzyme activity. Both SCE and SCC significantly enhanced lipid metabolism, reducing hepatic lipid deposition and improving serum lipid profiles, albeit through distinct molecular pathways—SCC primarily stimulated catabolism, whereas SCE comprehensively regulated both synthesis and breakdown. Furthermore, SCE demonstrated superior, multi-targeted immunomodulatory capacity by favorably regulating inflammatory cytokine expression, an effect not observed with SCC. Although both additives boosted systemic antioxidant capacity, their specific patterns of enzyme activity and gene expression differed. In conclusion, SCE offers broad-spectrum, synergistic benefits for health modulation, while SCC provides specific, stable bioactivity, highlighting the importance of selecting the appropriate additive form based on desired functional outcomes in aquaculture.

Figures