Researchers tested whether adding red ginseng powder to fish food could help rainbow trout grow faster and stay healthier. They fed different groups of fish varying amounts of ginseng powder for two months, then exposed the fish to a harmful bacteria. Fish that ate the most ginseng grew about 56% larger than fish that didn’t get any ginseng, and they also had stronger immune systems and better survival rates when exposed to disease. This suggests that ginseng could be a natural way to improve fish farming, potentially leading to healthier fish and more sustainable aquaculture practices.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether adding red ginseng powder to fish food could make rainbow trout grow faster, develop stronger immune systems, and survive better when exposed to disease.
  • Who participated: Rainbow trout fish divided into 8 groups: one control group (no ginseng) and seven groups receiving different amounts of ginseng powder mixed into their food for 60 days.
  • Key finding: Fish fed the highest amount of ginseng (25-30 grams per kilogram of food) grew to about 56.7 grams compared to just 36.2 grams in fish with no ginseng—a difference of about 56% larger. These fish also had stronger immune responses and survived better when exposed to harmful bacteria.
  • What it means for you: If you eat farmed fish, this research suggests that adding natural supplements like ginseng to fish feed could produce healthier, stronger fish. However, this study was done on fish in controlled conditions, so more research is needed before widespread use in all fish farms.

The Research Details

Scientists created eight groups of rainbow trout and fed them different diets over 60 days. One group (the control) received normal fish food with no ginseng. The other seven groups received fish food mixed with increasing amounts of red ginseng powder, ranging from 5 to 35 grams per kilogram of food. After 60 days of feeding, all the fish were exposed to a harmful bacteria called Streptococcus iniae to test whether the ginseng had strengthened their ability to fight disease.

Throughout the study, researchers measured how much the fish grew, tested their blood to check immune system strength, measured antioxidant levels (which help protect cells from damage), and tracked how many fish survived the bacterial challenge. This approach allowed them to see if ginseng affected multiple aspects of fish health.

This type of study design is important because it tests whether a natural supplement works in real-world conditions. By using a control group (fish without ginseng) and multiple treatment groups (fish with different amounts of ginseng), researchers could see exactly how much ginseng was most helpful. The disease challenge at the end was crucial because it tested whether the benefits were real and meaningful for fish health.

This study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed it before publication. The researchers used proper scientific methods with control groups and measured multiple health markers. However, the study was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions with a specific fish species, so results might differ in real fish farms or with other types of fish. The exact number of fish used in each group wasn’t clearly stated in the abstract, which is a minor limitation.

What the Results Show

Fish that received ginseng powder grew significantly larger than fish that didn’t receive any ginseng. The fish fed 25 grams of ginseng per kilogram of food (called RGP6) reached an average weight of 56.7 grams, while control fish only reached 36.2 grams—meaning the ginseng-fed fish were about 56% heavier.

The immune system improvements were equally impressive. Fish fed the higher amounts of ginseng (especially the RGP6 and RGP7 groups, which received 25 and 30 grams per kilogram) showed significantly stronger immune responses. Their blood contained higher levels of important immune proteins and showed increased activity of protective enzymes called myeloperoxidase.

When exposed to the harmful bacteria, fish that had eaten ginseng survived much better than the control fish. The RGP6 and RGP7 groups (the ones fed the most ginseng) had significantly lower death rates compared to fish that received no ginseng. This suggests that ginseng didn’t just make the fish bigger—it actually made them more resistant to disease.

The study also measured antioxidant activity in the fish, which is important because antioxidants protect cells from damage. Fish fed ginseng showed enhanced antioxidant systems, meaning their bodies had better natural defenses against cellular damage. Additionally, the research showed that there was an optimal amount of ginseng to add—too little didn’t provide maximum benefits, but adding more than 30 grams per kilogram of food didn’t provide additional improvements.

This research builds on previous studies showing that ginseng has immune-boosting and growth-promoting properties in various animals. However, this appears to be one of the first studies specifically examining red ginseng powder in rainbow trout. The findings align with what scientists have observed in other fish species and in mammals, suggesting that ginseng’s beneficial effects may work across different types of animals.

The study was conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, which may not perfectly reflect what happens in real fish farms where conditions are more variable. The research focused only on rainbow trout, so we don’t know if the same benefits would occur in other fish species. Additionally, the abstract doesn’t provide complete details about the exact number of fish in each group or all the statistical measures, making it harder to fully evaluate the strength of the findings. Finally, the study only lasted 60 days, so we don’t know if the benefits continue over longer periods.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, adding red ginseng powder to fish feed appears to be a promising way to improve fish growth and health in aquaculture settings. The evidence suggests that 25-30 grams of ginseng powder per kilogram of fish food provides the best results. However, this recommendation comes with moderate confidence because the study was done in controlled conditions and only tested one fish species. More research in real-world fish farms and with different fish species would strengthen this recommendation.

Fish farmers and aquaculture companies should pay attention to this research as a potential way to improve their operations naturally. Consumers who eat farmed fish might benefit from healthier, stronger fish produced this way. However, individual consumers shouldn’t try to add ginseng to home aquariums without more research, as the dosages and methods would be different. People with fish allergies or those taking medications that interact with ginseng should consult their doctor before consuming fish raised with ginseng supplements.

In this study, the benefits appeared within 60 days of feeding ginseng to the fish. Fish farmers could expect to see improved growth within 2 months of switching to ginseng-supplemented feed. However, the full benefits for disease resistance might take longer to develop, and the long-term effects beyond 60 days remain unknown.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If you’re a fish farmer or aquaculture professional, track weekly measurements of fish weight, feed consumption, and any disease occurrences. Compare these metrics between groups fed ginseng-supplemented feed versus standard feed to monitor real-world effectiveness.
  • For aquaculture operations: Test ginseng supplementation in a small section of your farm first (perhaps 10-20% of your stock) while maintaining control groups on standard feed. Monitor growth rates, health markers, and survival rates over 8-12 weeks to determine if the investment in ginseng supplements is worthwhile for your specific operation.
  • Establish a baseline of your current fish growth rates, disease incidence, and feed conversion efficiency. If you implement ginseng supplementation, measure these same metrics monthly for at least 6 months to determine if the benefits observed in this study apply to your farm conditions. Track costs versus benefits to ensure the supplement is economically viable.

This research was conducted on fish in controlled laboratory conditions and may not directly apply to all fish farms or other animals. The study tested only rainbow trout, so benefits may differ for other fish species. While the results are promising, more research is needed before widespread adoption in commercial aquaculture. Consumers should not attempt to self-treat with ginseng supplements without consulting a healthcare provider, especially if they take medications or have existing health conditions. Always consult with aquaculture specialists before making changes to fish feed or farming practices. This summary is for informational purposes only and should not replace professional veterinary or agricultural advice.