Dietary effect of botanical blend (Phyto AquaNity™) on growth, immunity and survival of Pacific White shrimps challenged against WSSV

Abstract

The present study was performed to assess the effect of a commercial product Phyto AquaNity™ (Artepillin C and curcuminoids) supplementation on growth performance, immune parameters, and disease resistance of whiteleg shrimps (Litopenaeus vannamei) against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) infection. Shrimps of initial weight of 0.9–1 g were fed Phyto AquaNity™ at three dosages (0.0, 0.5 and 1.0 g kg−1) over 42 days. After the feeding period, growth performance parameters were significantly improved in the group of 1.0 g kg−1. The highest specific growth rate and feed efficiency were observed in the group 1.0 g kg−1 (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding period, all groups were challenged against WSSV by recording daily mortalities over 14 days and measuring immune parameters. Shrimps fed with Phyto AquaNity™ (1.0 g kg−1) showed a significant reduction of mortalities with the lowest rate compared to other groups (0.5 and 0.0 g kg−1). Moreover, this dosage enhanced all immunological parameters in challenging conditions such as total hemocyte counts, granular cell, hyaline cell, phenoloxidase activity and phagocytic activity (p > 0.05). Analysis of lysozyme gene expression was improved in groups fed with Phyto AquaNity™ and the lowest value was observed for the positive group (challenged & without Phyto AquaNity™ supplement). Overall, 1.0 g kg−1 of Phyto AquaNity™ showed better results in improving growth performance, immune responses, and survival in shrimps challenged with WSSV.