Effect
of different diets on growth and digestive enzyme activity in Litopenaeus
vannamei (Boone, 1931) early post-larvae
Aquaculture Research, 32(4): 257-266
Abstract:
Growth rate, soluble-protein content and
digestive-enzyme activities were studied in Litopenaeus vannamei
(Boone, 1931) early post-larvae under six feeding regimens, which included
combinations of freshly hatched Artemia nauplii, an artificial diet
and algae. Growth (0.11 mg DW day-1) and soluble-protein content
(61.8 mg protein larvae-1 at PL10) of post-larvae
fed mixed diets were significantly higher (P < 0.05). An artificial diet used alone or co-fed with algae caused the lowest growth
(0.03–0.05 mg DW day-1) and soluble-protein
content (13.7–15.5 mg protein larvae-1 at PL10).
Trypsin-like activity was higher (up to 10 times) in post-larvae fed Artemia
nauplii and an artificial diet alone or plus algae. The artificial diet
stimulated chymotrypsin activity, apparently in response to squid meal
present in this diet. Amylase activity increased when post-larvae were fed
the artificial diet. This was apparently related more to the origin of the
starch than to the total carbohydrate level of the diet. No obvious
relationship was found between enzyme activity and growth in any feed
combination. Based on growth and soluble-protein content, we determined that
partial substitution (50%) of Artemia nauplii by artificial diet and
the use of algae co-fed beyond the first post-larval stage benefits growth
and the nutritional state of L. vannamei post-larvae.
(Group of Experimental Marine Biology, Laboratory of Ecophysiology,
Faculty of Sciences, UNAM. Apdo. Post. 69, Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, México)