Effect of herbal dietary supplementation, MFA ® on feeding, feed binding and prevention of gut infection during the growth period in semi-intensive farming of pacific white leg shrimp, litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)‎ (family : penaeidae)‎

الملخص EN

The effect of the semi-viscous herbal dietary supplement, MFA (Multifunctional Feed Attractant), a concoction of Alpinia galanga, Trikatu, Emblica officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Bacopa monnieri and Withania somnifera on feeding, feed binding, growth, haematological parameters and disease prevention in Pacific white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei were studied.

Physical analyses of the shrimp in the check trays to monitor the health status, feed binding efficiency, drying time and feed intactness were analysed.

Feed consumption, feeding time, and average body weight (ABW) were also recorded.

Total hemocyte count (THC) and clotting time were also examined.

Both MFA and other commercial attractants were observed to bind the feed effectively.

However, drying time for MFA (12±0.3 minutes) was higher than that of other commercial attractants (9±0.3 minutes) but higher intactness of feed was recorded on MFA with 169±8 minutes compared to 73±6 of other attractants.

Maximum feed consumed by the test shrimps were 8.1±0.3 kg/lakh seed/meal and control group shrimps were 6.9±0.3 kg/lakh seed/meal with significant difference between the two groups.

The minimum feeding time and ABW registered by the test and control ranged from 90±5 to 120±5 minutes and 12.3±0.3 to 15.2±0.3 grams respectively.

Maximum Total Hemocytes Count (THC) and hemolymph clotting time in the test and control shrimps ranged from 59± 2 (x106 cells/ml) to 67±2 (x106 cells/ml) and 48±2 minutes to 82±2 minutes respectively.

The herbal supplement acts as a potential feed binder, attractant and also improves the growth and immune status of shrimp.

Hence, this composition could be a potential natural source of bio-active molecules for sustainable aquaculture.