Abstract
The formulation of diets from vegetable protein enriched with immunostimulants is a suitable feeding strategy for shrimp culture. This study evaluated a feed formulated with wheat (Tritium sativum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) enriched with spirulina (Spirulina maxima) for shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei farming. A feed based on wheat and chickpea (2.5:1) containing 3% spirulina was developed and characterized by proximal chemical analysis. The experimental feed was evaluated along with a commercial feed in a five-week field bioassay to determine the growth, survival, and health status of the juvenile shrimp. In addition, water salinity (mg·L-1) was monitored as an environmental stability factor for shrimp cultures. The proximal chemical composition of the experimental feed contained 17.5 ±0.1% protein, 2.2 ±0.3% lipids and 68.0 ±0.3% carbohydrates. The specific growth rate (0.22 ±0.05 g·days-1) of the shrimp under experimental feed did not show statistical differences in comparison with the commercial feed (P> 0.05). Also, it was determined that the shrimp fed with experimental feed presented a biomass production (0.74 ±0.17 g), survival rate (>98%) (P <0.05) and health status better than shrimp fed with commercial feed. The influence of salinity on shrimp survival was rule out (P> 0.05). This study demonstrated that the experimental feed offers a suitable diet in benefit of the performance and health of the shrimp.
Highlights
In Mexico, the shrimp farming industry is an important source of food and wealth for the country; Litopenaeus vannamei is the main domesticated shrimp specie (Cortés et al, 2021)
It has been assumed that the way shrimp gain weight is directly related to the quality of the protein used in the diet9
Several sources of vegetable protein have been studied and recommended as an alternative for the total or partial replacement of protein of animal origin in food provided for the production of fish and crustaceans, due to the benefit reflected in their weight and size (Suárez et al, 2009; Ayisi et al, 2017; Cortés et al, 2021)
Summary
In Mexico, the shrimp farming industry is an important source of food and wealth for the country; Litopenaeus vannamei (white shrimp) is the main domesticated shrimp specie (Cortés et al, 2021). Shrimp farming is an economic activity developed worldwide, whose production has decreased due to the impact of infectious diseases (Cock et al, 2009), a situation from which Mexico is not exempt (Gómez-Gil et al, 2011). Sinaloa is recognized as a state with a distinguished shrimp farming due to soil quality, water, climate, and larval availability. It has been documented that feeding is the key factor in shrimp culture because it defines the degree of development of the crustacean and the time that is invested in the farming cultivation (Raham et al, 2017). Shrimp feeding depends on the nutrients and ingredients incorporated in the diet (Joblingh, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
