The influence of dietary β-1,3-glucan on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidative and immune status of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Prebiotics, that is, beta-1,3-glucans are widely used immunostimulants in aquaculture. A 70-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary beta-1,3-glucan on growth performance, feed utilization, antioxidative and immune status of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Six iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets with dietary beta-1,3-glucan levels at 0, 0.04, 0.08. 0.16, 0.32 and 0.64 g kg(-1) were fed to six replicates of shrimp (initial mean weight 0.98 +/- 0.02 g). The diet with 0.16 g kg(-1) beta-1,3-glucan significantly improved weight gain and decreased feed conversion ratio of the shrimp. Compared with shrimp fed the basal diet, protein efficiency ratio was significantly higher in the beta-1,3-glucan supplemented groups. Hepatopancreatic amylase activity was significantly increased by the beta-1,3-glucan supplementation. The 0.16 g kg(-1) beta-1,3-glucan supplemented diet significantly improved serum total superoxide dismutase activity. The lowest hepatopancreatic malondialdehyde content was observed in the 0.64 g kg(-1) beta-1,3-glucan group. This study suggested that appropriate inclusion level of beta-1,3-glucan can improve the growth performance, feed utilization and improve the antioxidative capacity of Pacific white shrimp, with optimum supplemental level being about 0.156 g kg(-1) based on the weight gain in our results.

Automated summary

The study found that an appropriate level of beta-1,3-glucan can improve the growth performance and feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp, as well as enhance their antioxidative capacity. The optimal supplemental level was around 0.156 g kg^(-1) based on weight gain in the results.