Figure 2

Figure 2

Elevated phenotypic markers showing the fortification of the mucosal barrier in fish fed diets supplemented with postbiotics compared to other treatments. (A) PCA plot of individuals and their distribution that was significantly affected by the mucosal barrier protection variables as indicated in plot B. Confidence ellipses were drawn around the levels of the categorical variables for treatment status with a confidence level of 0.95. (B) Variables plot showing the highest (red) to lowest (blue) contribution of mucosal barrier protection variables affecting the distribution of individuals, as shown in PCA plot A. Specific terms on plot B are: GCneutral = neutral mucin goblet cells; GCAcid = acidic mucin goblet cells; GCC = goblet cell coverage; GCD = goblet cell density; IELs = intraepithelial leukocytes, LPW = lamina propria width, and VL = villi length.