Effects of dietary algae meal supplementation on growth, whole-body composition, histological and immune responses of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei

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Abstract Algae meal is an emerging shrimp feed additive due to its essential nutrient composition, such as fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. A 60-day feeding trial examined the effects of algae meal as an additive on growth, whole-body composition, and histological and immune responses of Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. Six iso-protien and iso-lipid treatment diets were formulated and prepared using best mix feed formulation software and pelletizer, respectively. The diet without supplementation of algae meal was used as a control. Two treatment diets included algae meal at 0.5% (T1-AM) and 1% (T2-AM). After pelletization, another three treatment diets were vacuum coated with algae meal at 0.5% (T3-AM), 1% (T4-AM), and a combination of 0.5% algae meal and 0.5% probiotic (T5-AMP). A total of 900 juvenile shrimp, with an initial average weight of 3.12 ± 0.07g, were evenly distributed into 18 rectangular cages in three indoor cement tanks (5.0 m × 3.0 m × 1.2 m). Each diet was randomly allotted to triplicate groups of 50 shrimps (average weight of 3.12 ± 0.07g) per treatment and fed thrice daily (9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 H). The results showed that significantly higher water stability of feed, water absorption (%), and dry matter retention were observed in the T5-AMP diet (P<0.05). Similarly, higher weight gain, protein efficiency ratio, specific growth rate, and better feed conversion ratio were observed in the shrimp-fed T5-AMP diet (P<0.05). The whole-body proximate and amino acid composition of shrimp were not affected by the inclusion and coating of algae meal and probiotic diets (P>0.05). Moreover, no significant abnormalities were found in the histology analysis of the hepatopancreas and intestine of shrimp-fed experimental diets. The relative mRNA expression of immune-related genes was significantly upregulated in shrimp fed a T5-AMP diet (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study indicated that 0.5% algae meal blended with probiotics through vacuum coating could improve the feed quality, nutrient utilization, growth performance, and immune responses of P. vannamei. A blend of algae meal and probiotics could help to develop nutritious immune-boosting shrimp feed and ensure sustainable shrimp farming practices.