The objective of this study was to determine the effect of replacing FM with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) on the growth performance and immunologic responses of white shrimp. In addition, the toxicity of such replacement to white shrimp was measured. Mealworm was incorporated to partially or totally replace fish meal in diets for white shrimp. Experimental groups of shrimp with an average initial body weight of 2.39 ± 0.49 g were fed each of 4 isonitrogeneous diets formulated to include 0, 25, 50 and 100% (control, MW25, MW50 and MW100 respectively) of mealworm substituted for fish meal. After eight weeks of feeding trials, shrimp fed diets MW25, MW50 and MW100 had higher live weight gain (10.05 ± 3.06, 11.41 ± 2.08, and 10.36 ± 1.57, respectively), higher specific growth rate (2.56 ± 0.11, 2.79 ± 0.09, and 2.61 ± 0.07, respectively), and better feed conversion ratio (2.89 ± 0.08, 2.69 ± 0.09, and 2.72 ± 0.19, respectively) compared to those of shrimp fed control diet. Survival rate was 98% in all treatments. No toxicity was found in post-mortem pathophysiologic examinations. The levels of immune markers such as beta-glucan binding protein, prophenoloxidase and crustin associated with shrimp's cellular and humoral immunity were found to be higher in 25 and 50% mealworm replacement groups. These results clearly indicated that replacement of fish meal with 50% mealworm for shrimp diet was optimal in promoting the growth performance of shrimp without any adverse effect.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate as litter amendments on ammonia, soluble reactive phosphorus, and pathogen populations in poultry litters.MethodsIncreasing levels of Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate were applied onto the surface of rice hull as a top-dress application; untreated rice hulls served as controls.Results: Treatment with Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate or aluminum sulfate alone resulted in lower litter pH (p < 0.05), as compared with that of the controls. There were some differences (p < 0.05) between treatments with Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate or aluminum sulfate alone and controls at 2–4 wk (not at 1 wk). Ammonia levels reduced on an average by 29%, 30%, and 32% for 10 g, 20 g Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate, and aluminum sulfate alone, respectively, as compared with controls at 4 wk. During the experiment, Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate or aluminum sulfate treatment had an effect (p < 0.05) on soluble reactive phosphorus content, as compared with the controls (not at 4 wk). A decrease in Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli was observed (p < 0.05) in litter amended with both Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate and aluminum sulfate alone, as compared with the control, except at 1–3 wk for Salmonella enterica and 1 wk and 4 wk for Escherichia coli, respectively.ConclusionThe results showed that using Korean Red Ginseng marc with aluminum sulfate (blends), which act as acidifying agents by reducing the pH of the litter, was equally effective as aluminum sulfate in reducing the environmental impact.

ABSTRACT. This study was a small pen trial in which we investigated comparative effects of dietary sea urchin shell powder and feed additives on meat quality and fatty acid profiles of broiler breast meat. A total of 108 male broilers were assigned to 3 groups (control, 1% sea urchin shell powder, and 1% feed additives) with 3 replicates of 12 chicks per pen in a completely randomized design for 28 days. The following parameters have been investigated: proximate composition (DM, CP, EE, and ash), physicochemical properties (pH, TBARS, cooking loss and DPPH radical scavenging), meat color and fatty acid profiles. No remarkable effects between treatment and storage day were observed for proximate composition, physicochemical properties, meat color and fatty acid profiles. In conclusion, diets with 1% sea urchin shell powder have the ability to increase DPPH radical scavenging and unsaturated fatty acid, indicating an opportunity for partial diet substitution in comparison with 1% feed additives.Keywords: sea urchin shell, proximate composition, physicochemical properties, meat color, fatty acid.Efeitos comparativos do pó da casca do ouriço-do-mar e suplementos de dieta na qualidade da carne e no perfil de ácidos graxos da carne do peito de frangos de corte RESUMO. Nesse ensaio investigaram-se os efeitos comparativos do pó da casca do ouriço-do-mar e suplementos alimentares sobre a qualidade de carne e o perfil de ácidos graxos de carne de peito de frangos de corte. Cento e oito frangos de corte machos foram distribuídos em 3 grupos (controle, 1% pó da casca do ouriço-do-mar, 1% aditivos alimentares), com 3 repetições, com 12 frangos por gaiola, num esquema aleatório, durante 28 dias. Foram investigados os seguintes parâmetros: composição aproximada (MS, PB, EE e cinzas), propriedades físico-químicas (pH, TBARS, perda no cozimento e o radical livre DPPH), cor da carne e ácidos graxos. Não foi observado nenhum efeito significativo entre o tratamento e o dia de armazenagem para a composição aproximada, propriedades físico-químicas, cor da carne e ácidos graxos. Os resultados mostram que rações com pó da casca do ouriço-do-mar são capazes de aumentar o radical livre DPPH e os ácidos graxos não saturados e revelam uma oportunidade para a substituição parcial da ração com 1% de aditivos alimentares.Palavras-chave: ouriço-do-mar, composição aproximada, propriedades físico-quimicas, cor da carne, ácido graxo.

We investigated the effects of sea urchin shell powder on 2 volatile fatty acids, acetic and butyric acid, in poultry litter. A total of 60 1-d-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) were allocated to 2 treatments (basal diet and 1% sea urchin shell powder) with 3 replicates of 10 birds each. During the 4-week experimental period, significant differences in acetic acid and butyric acid concentrations were observed between treatments (P < 0.05), except for acetic acid at 1 week. Additions of 1% sea urchin shell powder resulted in lower acetic and butyric acid concentrations compared to the litter of control birds. We conclude that the sea urchin shell powder used in this study might prove beneficial in reducing environmental pollution caused by poultry litter.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of sea urchin shell powder on nitrogen characteristics in poultry litter by assigning ninety 1-d-old male broiler chicks (Arbor Acres) to one of 3 treatments (control, 1% sea urchin shell powder, and 1% feed additives) in 3 replicates of 10 birds each. For all treatments, the overall dry matter contents were decreased (P < 0.05) as time increased, except for at 1 week. When compared with controls, the dietary sea urchin shell powder and feed additives for 0 and 3 weeks did influence their TN contents, but not for 1, 2 and 4 weeks. The treatments with sea urchin shell powder and feed additives had a significant (P < 0.05) influence on NH3-N in poultry litter compared with controls. However, at 4 weeks, no marked differences were observed in NH3-N contents among treatments. Treatments with 1% sea urchin shell powder might enhance the value of poultry litter as N fertilizer