Evaluation of polyherbal feed supplement (Ban-V) on the enhancement of growth and non-specific immune responses in shrimp Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

Owing to the growing need for eco-friendly aquaculture, usage of herbal feed supplement receives higher attention. A commercial shrimp feed supplement known as Ban-V is a unique blend of polyherbal extracts that act synergistically with each other to help in improving the immune system, protects hepatopancreas and activates several metabolic pathways for better growth and disease resistance. For that, four supplemental concentrations such as 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 % of Ban-V were used along with commercial shrimp feed, and feed with no supplement (control) were evaluated for 60 days. Results revealed that 2.0% of Ban-V diet fed group showed significantly increased biological performance like (average body weight, average daily growth, feed conversion ratio and survival rate) than control. The tested immunological parameters such as total haemocyte count, oxyhaemocyanin level, phenoloxidase (PO) activity, respiratory burst activity (RB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lysozyme activity, plasma protein content (PPC) and bactericidal activity were higher in 2.0% test diet fed P. vannamei, when compared to other test and control diet fed shrimp. It is therefore suggested that Ban-V supplementation at a concentration of 2.0% was efficient in stimulating the growth and immunity in shrimp.