Application of Black Cumin Oil (Nigella sativa) in Aquaculture: A Review of the Potential for Growth and Immunity Enhancement

Bagus Susilo (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjajaran)
Fittrie Meyllianawaty Pratiwy (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjajaran)
Iskandar Iskandar (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjajaran)
Rafidah Othman (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjajaran)
Roffi Grandiosa Herman (Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Science, Universitas Padjajaran)

Jurnal Perikanan dan Kelautan
Vol. 31 No. 1 (2026): February

Black cumin oil (Nigella sativa) is a natural ingredient that contains various bioactive compounds, including thymoquinone, flavonoids, and essential fatty acids, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulating effects. In the field of aquaculture, the use of black cumin oil as a feed supplement is being developed due to its potential in improve the growth performance and immune system of farmed fish. This article aims to systematically review research on the application of black cumin oil in aquaculture, focusing on improving fish growth rate and immune response. Based on a literature review, it was found that N. sativa supplementation in oil form in various fish species, such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Clarias gariepinus, Oreochromis niloticus, and Anabas testudineus, was able to improve growth, feed conversion ratio, as well as immunological parameters such as phagocytic activity, immunoglobulin levels, and resistance to infection.