H.-Y. Chen-1998
Reviews in Fisheries Science, 6(1&2): 79-95
Abstract:
This article presents an overview of recent progress in the nutrition of Penaeus monodon and its implications in feed formulation. Recently published results of many dietary trials with P. monodon have helped build the basic framework of knowledge concerning the dietary requirements of the species. These advances will undoubtedly upgrade P. monodon feed formulation that in the past, depended heavily on limited information and requirements derived from other species. Key subjects dealt with in this review are assessed under the headings digestion and digestibility, protein and essential amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids and sterols, and vitamins. Other dietary components such as energy, minerals, feeding stimulants, pigmentation, and immunostimulants are briefly reviewed. Recent attention has focused on essential amino acid and vitamin requirements. Studies using different dietary preparations and feeding methods have established the dietary requirements of juvenile P. monodon for arginine, lysine, methionine (+cystine), threonine, and valine. These requirements are comparable to the known requirements of many finfish. Requirements of P. monodon for almost all major vitamins have been established and are not much higher than those suggested for warmwater finfish such as channel catfish, despite the shrimp's unique aspects of metabolism.
(Institute of Marine Biology, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan)