Effect of B-Glucan on growth performance and feed utilization of white leg shrimp (Litopernaeus Vannamei)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of β-glucan on growth performance and feed utilization of white leg shrimp in wetlab scale. The experiment was designed to consist of six treatments, three replicates including of a negative control diet (M-O) containing 0 mg/Kg β-glucan, four test diets (M-A, M-B, M-C, MD) supplemented with increasing levels of β-glucan derived from brewer’s yeast and a positive control diet contained a commercial β-glucan product (M-E). White leg shrimp juveniles (± 0.15 g/shrimp) fed experimental diets containing graded concentrations of β -Glucan at 0 mg/Kg, 250 mg/Kg, 500 mg/Kg, 750 mg/Kg, 1000 mg/Kg and a commercial β -glucan (500 mg/Kg) for 60 days. The results indicated that shrimp fed 1000 mg/Kg (M-A) and 500 mg/Kg (M-E) showed the highest weight gain (7.21 and 7.23 g) while the lowest weight gain and poorest feed utilization observed at the non- supplemented β-Glucan diet (6.54 g and FCR: 1.43). Moreover, without any significant differences of growth and feed utilization of shrimp recorded among the test diets containing 250 mg/Kg, 500 mg/Kg, 750 mg/ Kg. In general, shrimp fed the β-glucan supplemented diets showed the better growth and feed utilization compared to those fed non- supplemented β-Glucan diet. The findings revealed that β-Glucan is a potential ingredient to supplement in the diets for improving the efficiency of white shrimp farming. Keywords: β-glucan, white leg shrimp, diet, growth performance, feed utilization.