Effect of selected seaweed crude extracts as feed additives on growth performance, survival, and feed utilisation in whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei)

Abstract

Seaweed crude extracts are a promising source of bioactive compounds for use in the aquaculture feed industry. In present study, five different seaweed crude extracts (Ulva spp., Caulerpa spp., Sargassum spp., Cystoseira spp., and Gracilaria spp.) were incorporated into the diets of whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) at a supplementation level of 5 g kg–1 to check the effects on growth performance, feed utilization and survival rate. Whiteleg shrimp with an initial weight ranging from 0.050±0.001 g to 0.053±0.002 g were fed the experimental diets for 75 days. At the end of the experiment, the results indicated that the Ulva–crude extract supplemented diet produced the highest mean growth rate (11.804±0.437 g) and specific growth rate (7.24±0.10 % day–¹), followed by the Sargassum spp., Gracilaria spp., Cystoseira spp., and Caulerpa spp. diets. The higher survival rate of whiteleg shrimp was observed in Sargassum spp. treatment (97.78±2.22%), followed by the Ulva spp. treatment. These findings suggest that all tested seaweed crude extracts possess bioactive potential; however, Ulva spp. and Sargassum spp. crude extracts were the most promising feed supplements among the seaweed evaluated.