Dietary value of several proteins and supplemental amino acids for larvae of the prawn Penaeus japonicus

Abstract

The dietary value of several proteins and supplemental amino acids for larval prawn ( Penaeus japonicus) was examined using artificial diets containing carrageenan as a binder. As a nitrogen source, casein-gelatin (3:1), casein, and white fish meal had superior nutritive values to gelatin, egg albumin, and an amino acid mixture approximating the composition of casein. The supplementation of a casein diet with crystalline L-arginine HCl improved its nutritive value to that comparable to live food (control). In a subsequent experiment, about half the casein in the casein-based diets was replaced with a mixture of crystalline amino acids, either coated or uncoated with a nylonprotein membrane, and balanced to approximate the amino acid pattern to that of prawn larval whole body protein. Diet containing crystalline amino acids gave survival rates and growth indices equal to or higher than the control group receiving live food. This indicates that prawn larvae are probably able to utilize an amino acid mixture as a partial protein substitute in contrast to juvenile prawns which lack this ability.