Abstract:

A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the influence of peptidoglycan supplementation on immune responses, growth, muscle fibre size and digestive protease activities of juvenile black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon Fabricius 1798 (Penaeidae). Two treatments were run composed of a group supplemented with peptidoglycan at 0.18 g.kg^-1 diet and a control maintained with basal diet without peptidoglycan. Results indicate elevated immune responses including total haemocyte count, phenoloxidase and respiratory burst activities in peptidoglycan-fed shrimp compared to the control. Significant enhancement of growth in terms of weight gain, protein and lipid retentions was eminent in peptidoglycan supplemented shrimps compared to the control group. This growth improvement is associated with the increase in muscle fibre size and digestive protease activities that include trypsin and carboxypeptidase A. The present findings suggest that peptidoglycan supplementation in P. monodon can boost immunological responses and improve growth performance through the promotion of muscle growth and enhancement of digestive protease activities. Compounds with immune stimulating activities to augment disease resistance and with growth promoting activities are highly desirable in shrimp aquaculture. Peptidoglycan supplementation is suggested as a practical approach to improve disease resistance and enhance growth performance of P. monodon in culture.

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Date 2015/06/29

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