Benjamin Akpoilih

@uniport.edu.ng

Lecturer, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt
University

Benjamin Akpoilih


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https://researchid.co/uzeziu2

EDUCATION

B.Tech in Fisheries and Wildlife, Federal University of Technology, Akure; MSc in Fisheries Management, University of Ibadan; PhD in Aquaculture, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Aquatic Science, Physiology
9

Scopus Publications

394

Scholar Citations

12

Scholar h-index

13

Scholar i10-index

Scopus Publications

  • Dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced growth performance, short-chain fatty acids, and reduced the susceptibility of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus to Aeromonas hydrophila infection
    Bilal Ahamad Paray, Eijaz Ahmed Bhat, Ibrahim O. Bello, Olaolu O. Fawole, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, et al.
    Tropical Animal Health and Production, 2026
  • Synergistic effects of dietary phytase and protease on the zootechnical, antioxidant, and immune indices of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed on low-phosphorus diets
    Mohsen Abdel-Tawwab, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Desire O. Ikpoku, Ibrahim Adeshina
    Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2025
  • Evaluating the inclusion of phytase sources to phosphorus-free diets for GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Growth performance, intestinal morphometry, immune-antioxidant responses, and phosphorus utilization
    Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Ibrahim Adeshina, Chiamaka F. Chukwudi, Mohsen Abdel-Tawwab
    Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2023
  • Effects of dietary supplementation with microbial phytase on the growth, bone minerals, antioxidant status, innate immunity and disease resistance of African catfish fed on high soybean meal-based diets
    Ibrahim Adeshina, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Lateef O. Tiamiyu, Abdulhameed A. Badmos, Benjamin O. Emikpe, et al.
    Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2023
    The microbial phytase, derived from Buttiauxella gaviniae, Yersinia mollarettiv and Hafnia spp., is proven to be safe for avian and porcine feeding and promotes their overall growth performance. Here, we have evaluated microbial phytase's effects on the growth, bone mineral content, antioxidant status, immune responses and the resistance of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed with high soybean meal-based diets against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Five isonitrogenous diets (40% protein) were supplemented with different levels of microbial phytase ranging from 0 as a control to 250, 500, 750 and 1000 FTU/kg diet. African catfish (n = 300; 8.5 ± 0.3 g) were allocated in 15 50-L tanks (in triplicates) and were fed on the prepared tested diets for 12 weeks. After the end of the feeding period of 12 weeks, 10 fish from each replicate was intraperitoneally infected with A. hydrophila (0.5 × 105 CFU/ml) and monitored for 14 days. Dietary phytase levels linearly and quadratically improved the growth performance of African catfish and stimulated feed intake. Bone levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc were also positively modulated in phytase-fed fish, especially at 750-1000 FTU/kg diet. Similarly, counts of red and white blood cells as well as haemoglobin, packed cells volume, platelets, lymphocytes and heterocytes were significantly modulated in all fish fed with phytase-supplemented diets. Higher levels of serum total protein, albumin and globulin were also observed in fish fed with a 750-1000 FTU/kg diet of phytase. Conversely, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities were lower in fish fed with a 750-1000 FTU/kg diet of phytase, compared to those fed the control diet. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase), reduced glutathione levels and immune responses (lysozyme, respiratory burst, protease and alkaline phosphatase activities) biomarkers were linearly and quadratically elevated, while malondialdehyde values were linearly and quadratically decreased in fish groups fed with phytase-based diets. After administering A. hydrophila, 60.0% of the fish fed the control diet perished, while no mortalities were observed in fish fed with 750-1000 FTU/kg diets. Taken together, the current study reveals that dietary phytase could improve the growth performance, blood profile, bone mineralization, antioxidant activities, immunity and overall protection of African catfish against A. hydrophila infection. Dietary phytase may be efficiently used in the feeding of African catfish to enhance their overall performance and mitigate health conditions with optimum level of 900 FTU/kg diet.
  • Interactive effects of dietary phosphorus and microbial phytase on growth performance, intestinal morphometry, and welfare of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on low-fishmeal diets
    Ibrahim Adeshina, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Blessing F. Udom, Olarinke V. Adeniyi, Mohsen Abdel-Tawwab
    Aquaculture, 2023
  • Total replacement of dietary fish oil with vegetable lipid sources influenced growth performance, whole body composition, and protein retention in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings
    Ebere S. Erondu, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Frances S. John
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 2023
    Several reports show that aquaculture is the fastest food-producing sector globally, contributing nearly half of global fish production from all sectors. However, there has been a steady decline in production of fish oil (FO), which supports intensive aquaculture production. This has resulted in variable but generally increasing prices of FO. Finding suitable alternatives to scarce FO is essential for aquaculture sustainability. Therefore an experiment was carried out to investigate the influence of complete FO substitution with vegetable oil (VO) in the diet of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings on growth performance, whole-body composition, and protein retention. Four isonitrogenous (30% crude protein), isolipidic (8% crude lipid), and isocalorific (17 MJ kg−1gross energy) basal diets were formulated as follows: a control diet was formulated to contain 5% FO and labeled FOD (fish oil diet), and three other diets were formulated and labeled SOD (soya oil diet), GOD (groundnut oil diet), and POD (palm oil diet); they contained soya oil (SO), groundnut oil (GO), and palm oil (PO) respectively as total replacements for FO. Triplicate O. niloticus fingerlings (N = 120, n = 10, 1.20 ± 0.03 g, mean weight ± SD) were randomly allocated to one of four experimental diets. Fish were hand-fed to apparent satiation twice daily for 63 days. The result obtained from the experiment revealed that dietary lipids significantly influenced growth performance and nutrient utilization of O. niloticus (P < 0.05). The fish fed POD had the least weight gain (WG) and highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared with fish fed FOD, SOD, and GOD from days 7–28 (P < 0.05). At day 35 the fish fed SOD had the highest WG (P < 0.05); fish fed GOD had the least WG. The best weekly overall growth at the end of day 56 was observed in fish fed FOD; fish fed POD had the least WG. At day 63, WG of fish fed FOD declined significantly compared to fish fed GOD, POD, and SOD, which had the best growth. At the end of the trial, the best cumulative growth in fish was observed for fish fed FO; however, there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in WG and FCR between fish fed FOD and SOD. Survival was 100% for all treatments. Fish fed POD exhibited significantly lower levels of whole-body protein compared to fish fed FOD, SOD, and GOD. Fish fed a diet containing FO had the highest (P < 0.05) whole protein compared to diets with VO. However, no significant difference (P < 0.05) between whole-body protein of fish fed FOD and SOD was observed. Fish fed SOD had the highest (P < 0.5) body lipid compared with fish fed the FO, GO, and PO diets. In conclusion, the study has demonstrated that VO can completely replace FO in Nile tilapia diet without affecting growth performance of O. niloticus and that tilapia diet containing SO is a better alternative to FO compared to GO and PO. These findings are useful in dietary formulation to reduce feed costs without compromising tilapia fish growth.
  • Dietary Mitracarpus scaber leaves extract improved growth, antioxidants, non-specific immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus to Gyrodactylus malalai infestation
    Ibrahim Adeshina, Lateef O. Tiamiyu, Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Adetola Jenyo-Oni, Emmanuel K. Ajani
    Aquaculture, 2021
  • Phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-supplemented diets based on soya bean (oil-extracted) and full-fat (roasted): A comparison
    Benjamin U. Akpoilih, Bamidele O. Omitoyin, Emmanuel K. Ajani
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture, 2017
    The effect of microbial phytase on phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus (initial fish body weight 11.55 ± 0.2 g) was tested on two different diets based on oil-extracted soya bean (Experiment 1) and roasted soya bean meal (Experiment 2) using a 5 × 5 experimental design for 84 days. The basal isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets for oil-extracted and roasted soya bean were formulated to replace fish meal at 25% (S1E), 50% (S2E), 75% (S3E), 100% (S4E); and 25% (S1), 50% (S2), 75% (S3), 100% (S4), respectively. Each treatment was replicated four times. Microbial phytase was supplemented in each replicate at 250 FTU/g (P1), 500 FTU/g (P2), 750 FTU/g (P3), and 1,000 FTU/g (P4). Basal controls, which included a fish meal-based diet (S0), were not supplemented with phytase (P0). The result in Experiment 1 showed that there was a significant increase in whole-body protein and reduction in fat with phytase compared to a diet without phytase (P < 0.05). Serum total protein declined significantly with phytase supplementation (P < 0.05). Serum phosphorus and glucose were higher with phytase supplementation compared to control (P < 0.05). Bone minerals declined significantly with increasing level of soya bean compared to fish meal diet (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, serum phosphorus was improved with phytase compared to control with no phytase (P > 0.05). A significant reduction in whole-body protein and increase in fat was observed for fish fed phytase diets compared to diets with no phytase, regardless of soya bean level (P < 0.05); however, ash content was improved with phytase (250 FTU/g) compared to control (P < 0.05). Phytase supplementation improved bone phosphorus (250 FTU/g), calcium (250 FTU/g), magnesium (250–500 FTU/g), and zinc (250–1,000 FTU/g) compared to control (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the research has demonstrated that improved bone phosphorus (P) and growth could be achieved with the supplementation of dietary phytase.
  • Dietary microbial phytase improves growth, phosphorus digestibility and serum phosphorus, but not bone mineralization, in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed roasted and oil-pressed groundnut-based diet
    B.U. Akpoilih, B.O. Omitoyin, E.K. Ajani
    Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 2016

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Dietary Saccharomyces cerevisiae enhanced growth performance, short-chain fatty acids, and reduced the susceptibility of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus to Aeromonas …
    BA Paray, EA Bhat, IO Bello, OO Fawole, BU Akpoilih, O Orisasona, ...
    Tropical Animal Health and Production 58 (3), 221 , 2026
    2026
  • Synergistic effects of dietary phytase and protease on the zootechnical, antioxidant, and immune indices of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed on low …
    IA Mohsen. Abdel-Tawwab, BU.Akpoilih, D.O. Ikpoku
    Animal Feed Science and Technology 324 (116314) , 2025
    2025
  • Synergistic effects of dietary phytase and protease on the zootechnical, antioxidant, and immune indices of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed on low …
    M Abdel-Tawwab, BU Akpoilih, DO Ikpoku, I Adeshina
    Animal Feed Science and Technology 324, 116314 , 2025
    2025
    Citations: 3
  • Microbial phytases as functional feed additives in aquaculture: impact, challenges, recent developments and future opportunities
    BU Akpoilih, SA Nwafili, ES Erondu
    Sustainable Feed Ingredients and Additives for Aquaculture Farming … , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 5
  • Evaluating the inclusion of phytase sources to phosphorus-free diets for GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Growth performance, intestinal morphometry, immune-antioxidant …
    BU Akpoilih, I Adeshina, CF Chukwudi, M Abdel-Tawwab
    Animal Feed Science and Technology 303, 115678 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 8
  • Microbial-Based Systems and Single-Cell Ingredients: Exploring Their Role in Sustainable Aquaculture Production
    BU Akpoilih
    Sustainability Sciences in Asia and Africa, 209-249 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 3
  • Feed Restriction as a Feed Management Strategy in Tilapia and Catfish Culture: An African Perspective
    BU Gabriel, N.N., Abasubong, K.P., Akpoilih
    Emerging Sustainable Aquaculture Innovations in Africa. Sustainability … , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 3
  • in Sustainable Aquaculture Production
    BU Akpoilih
    Emerging Sustainable Aquaculture Innovations in Africa, 209 , 2023
    2023
  • Total replacement of dietary fish oil with vegetable lipid sources influenced growth performance, whole body composition, and protein retention in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis …
    FSJ E.S. Erondu, B.U. Akpoilih
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture 35 (2), 330-349 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 12
  • Effects of dietary supplementation with microbial phytase on the growth, bone minerals, antioxidant status, innate immunity and disease resistance of African catfish fed on …
    AT Adeshina, Akpoilih BU, Tiamiyu, Badmos, Emikpe
    Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 107 (2), 733-745 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 27
  • Interactive effects of dietary phosphorus and microbial phytase on growth performance, intestinal morphometry, and welfare of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on low …
    I Adeshina, BU Akpoilih, BF Udom, OV Adeniyi, M Abdel-Tawwab
    Aquaculture 563, 738995 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 33
  • Dietary Mitracarpus scaber leaves extract improved growth, antioxidants, non-specific immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus to Gyrodactylus malalai …
    EKA I Adeshina, L.O. Tiamiyu, B.U Akpoilih, A. Jenyo-oni
    Aquaculture 535 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 45
  • Effect of different dietary lipid sources on growth performance and nutrient utilization of+ Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings
    ES Erondu, BU Akpoilih
    JOURNAL OF FISHERIES RESEARCH Учредители: Allied Academies 4 (1) , 2020
    2020
    Citations: 2
  • Phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-supplemented diets based on soya bean (oil-extracted) and full-fat (roasted): A comparison
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture 29 (2), 126-151 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 18
  • Biological treatments of fish farm effluent and its reuse in the culture of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
    BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani, OI Okeleye, BU Akpoilih, AA Ogunjobi
    Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development 8 (2), 1-9 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 36
  • Effect of microbial phytase on phosphorus availability and growth of juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed different processed soyabean-based diets.
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    2016
    Citations: 6
  • Dietary microbial phytase improves growth, phosphorus digestibility and serum phosphorus, but not bone mineralization, in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed roasted …
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    2016
    Citations: 6
  • Optimum dietary Ca/P ratio and phytase for growth and bone mineralization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed soya bean-based diet
    BU Akpoilih, EK Ajani, BO Omitoyin
    J Aquac Res Development 7 (403), 2 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 16
  • Dietary phytase improves growth and water quality parameters for juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed soyabean diet-based diets
    UA Benjamin, KA Emmanuel, OO Bamidele
    International Journal of Aquaculture 5 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 1
  • Dietary phytase improves growth and water quality parameters for juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed soyabean meal-based diets
    BU Akpoilih, EK Ajani, BO Omitoyin
    International Journal of Aquaculture 5 (41), 1-20 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 10

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

  • Effect of chronic dietary copper exposure on haematology and histology of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)
    EK Ajani, BU Akpoilih
    Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management 14 (4) , 2010
    2010
    Citations: 57
  • Dietary Mitracarpus scaber leaves extract improved growth, antioxidants, non-specific immunity, and resistance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus to Gyrodactylus malalai …
    EKA I Adeshina, L.O. Tiamiyu, B.U Akpoilih, A. Jenyo-oni
    Aquaculture 535 , 2021
    2021
    Citations: 45
  • Biological treatments of fish farm effluent and its reuse in the culture of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
    BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani, OI Okeleye, BU Akpoilih, AA Ogunjobi
    Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development 8 (2), 1-9 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 36
  • Effect of Formalin on the Hatching Rate of eggs and Survival of larvae of the African Catish (Clarias gariepinus).
    BU Akpoilih, OT Adebayo
    Journal of Applied Sciences & Environmental Management 14 (4) , 2010
    2010
    Citations: 35
  • Interactive effects of dietary phosphorus and microbial phytase on growth performance, intestinal morphometry, and welfare of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed on low …
    I Adeshina, BU Akpoilih, BF Udom, OV Adeniyi, M Abdel-Tawwab
    Aquaculture 563, 738995 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 33
  • Effects of dietary supplementation with microbial phytase on the growth, bone minerals, antioxidant status, innate immunity and disease resistance of African catfish fed on …
    AT Adeshina, Akpoilih BU, Tiamiyu, Badmos, Emikpe
    Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition 107 (2), 733-745 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 27
  • Phosphorus utilization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-supplemented diets based on soya bean (oil-extracted) and full-fat (roasted): A comparison
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture 29 (2), 126-151 , 2017
    2017
    Citations: 18
  • Optimum dietary Ca/P ratio and phytase for growth and bone mineralization in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed soya bean-based diet
    BU Akpoilih, EK Ajani, BO Omitoyin
    J Aquac Res Development 7 (403), 2 , 2016
    2016
    Citations: 16
  • Fish ecogenotoxicology: an emerging science, an emerging tool for environmental monitoring and risk assessment
    BU Akpoilih
    J Environ Anal Toxicol 3 (165), 2161-0525.1000165 , 2013
    2013
    Citations: 16
  • Serum level of antioxidant vitamins (Vitamin A, C and E) in Plasmodium falciparum malaria infected children in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria
    RC Ekeanyanwu, N Achuka, BU Akpoilih
    Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology , 2010
    2010
    Citations: 16
  • Fish ecogenotoxicology: an emerging science, an emerging tool for environmental monitoring and risk assessment
    BU Akpoilih
    Global Journal of Bioscience and Biotechnology 1 (2), 141-151 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 15
  • Total replacement of dietary fish oil with vegetable lipid sources influenced growth performance, whole body composition, and protein retention in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis …
    FSJ E.S. Erondu, B.U. Akpoilih
    Journal of Applied Aquaculture 35 (2), 330-349 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 12
  • Dietary phytase improves growth and water quality parameters for juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed soyabean meal-based diets
    BU Akpoilih, EK Ajani, BO Omitoyin
    International Journal of Aquaculture 5 (41), 1-20 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 10
  • Growth responses and ionic regulation in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) after chronic dietary copper exposure and recovery
    EK Ajani, BU Akpoilih
    J Environ Anal Toxicol 2 (143), 2161-0525.1000143 , 2012
    2012
    Citations: 9
  • Evaluating the inclusion of phytase sources to phosphorus-free diets for GIFT tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Growth performance, intestinal morphometry, immune-antioxidant …
    BU Akpoilih, I Adeshina, CF Chukwudi, M Abdel-Tawwab
    Animal Feed Science and Technology 303, 115678 , 2023
    2023
    Citations: 8
  • Effect of microbial phytase on phosphorus availability and growth of juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed different processed soyabean-based diets.
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    2016
    Citations: 6
  • Dietary microbial phytase improves growth, phosphorus digestibility and serum phosphorus, but not bone mineralization, in juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed roasted …
    BU Akpoilih, BO Omitoyin, EK Ajani
    2016
    Citations: 6
  • Microbial phytases as functional feed additives in aquaculture: impact, challenges, recent developments and future opportunities
    BU Akpoilih, SA Nwafili, ES Erondu
    Sustainable Feed Ingredients and Additives for Aquaculture Farming … , 2024
    2024
    Citations: 5
  • Assessment of renal function of Plasmodium falciparum infected children in Owerri, Eastern Nigeria.
    EC Raphael, AU Benjamin
    2010
    Citations: 5
  • Serum biochemistry, body composition and bone mineralization of juvenile Clarias gariepinus fed phytase-supplemented soyabean-based diets
    BU Akpoilih
    J. Aquat. Sci 30, 407-425 , 2015
    2015
    Citations: 4