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PONE-D-22-27453

Assessment of the role of anthocyanin standardized elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extract as an immune-stimulating nutraceutical of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Mustafa,

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: The topic of scientific research is relevant and promising. The study of nutraceuticals and their relationship with immunity is an expanding area of ​​research. In their work, the authors of a scientific publication focused on the immunological effect of a membrane-separated 13% anthocyanin standardized elderberry extract with the excipient maltodextrin, a widely used first-line nutraceutical for improving immunity, in aquaculture fish, Nile tilapia. The study fully evaluated the potential of elderberry extract that the authors showed to a sufficient extent using the obtained data of the ability to enhance the proliferation of lymphocytes and the production of interleukin-2 in vitro using spleen and thymus lymphocytes.

The work was carried out at a high scientific level.

The results of the obtained scientific experiments can be used to conduct further research on the use of elderberry extract as an additive to commercial feed in aquaculture to reduce stress and stimulate the immune response in fish. The results of these studies should be used for further scientific experiments, to confirm the possibility of a more extended application.

Reviewer #2: This is an interesting study using a standardized elderberry extract. Overall the studies are described well and are appropriate. There are a few minor concerns that the authors should address and these are listed below.

1. Introduction, paragraph 1: The author should state that the elderberries used in the study are a European variety instead of leaving it for the experimental section.

2. Methods and Materials section, 2.2: The authors should describe (or provide references) for the methods used to characterize the elderberry extract. A general reader will have difficulty understanding this section as written.

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Leonid Burak

Reviewer #2: No

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Assessment of the role of anthocyanin standardized elderberry (Sambucus nigra) extract as an immune-stimulating nutraceutical of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

PONE-D-22-27453R1

Dear Dr. Mustafa,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

C. Michael Greenlief, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

The authors have addressed well the minor concerns raised by the reviewers.

Reviewers' comments: