HISTOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOME INTERNAL ORGANS OF CLARIAS GARIEPINUS JUVENILES FED DIETARY GINGER EXTRACT SILVER NANOPARTICLES

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the histological effects of dietary inclusion of ginger and ginger extract silver nanoparticles (GNPs) on Clarias gariepinus juvenile. Five experimental diets were formulated: a control (T0), GNP at 2.5 g/kg (T1), and ginger at 1.0 g/kg (T2), 1.5 g/kg (T3), and 2.0 g/kg (T4). Histological assessments were conducted on the liver, gills, and intestines of treated fish. Results revealed no observable lesions in the liver and intestines across all treatments, indicating the non-toxic nature of ginger and GNPs at the tested concentrations. However, gill tissues showed treatment-dependent changes: T1 and T3 exhibited fusion and hyperplasia of the lamellae, indicating stress or irritation, while T2 and the control (T0) showed mild inflammatory infiltration. Notably, T4 (2.0 g/kg ginger) resulted in no histological abnormalities in any organ, suggesting it as the safest and most effective dose. These findings highlight the potential of dietary ginger as a safe functional additive in aquaculture, whereas higher GNP doses might pose risks to gill integrity. Optimal dosing was essential to maximize benefits and minimize tissue-level toxicity.