EFFECT OF PROBIOTIC AND SUPPLEMENTED FEED ON GROWTH, SURVIVAL AND DISEASE RESISTANCE OF WHITE SHRIMP LITOPENAEUS VANNAMEI POSTLARVAE

Abstract

The present investigation was focused on the effect of Bacillus megaterium enriched to the Artemia nauplii and sprayed on the supplemented feed was fed to the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae (PL) to obtain high survival and growth. Artemia nauplii enriched with different levels of B. megaterium (5×10⁷, 5×10⁹ and 5×10¹¹ cfu /mL) fed to postlarvae for a period of 30 days. Similarly, supplemented feed with probiotic of different levels fed to PL for a time period of 15 days. Postlarvae fed with 5×10⁹ cfu cells (E2) of B. megaterium enriched Artemia nauplii and supplemented feed produce better survival and growth when compared to that of other concentrations and control group. The specific growth rate was found to be maximum in postlarvae fed with B. megaterium enriched Artemia and supplemented feed when compared to the control group. The biochemical constituents, such as protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents were considerably more in PL fed with both feeds, particularly at 5×10⁹ cfu cells. In the challenging study, results showed a higher survival rate in postlarvae fed with enhanced Artemia nauplii and supplemented feed of E2. Therefore, it is evident that 5×10⁹ cfu cells of B. megaterium can be considered as an appropriate concentration for the growth and survival of L. vannamei postlarvae.