Effect of Varying Levels of Protein on Growth Performance, Body Indices, Whole Body Proximate and Fatty Acid Composition of White Leg Shrimp, <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of varying levels of protein on growth performance, body indices, proximate and fatty acid composition of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) juveniles with an average weight of (1.97±0.09) g. Experimental diets containing 30, 35 and 40% protein were prepared and the feeding experiment was carried out for the duration of 45 days. The results of the feeding trial showed that final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG), daily growth co-efficient (DGC) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) increased (p&lt;0.05) significantly in the shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Similarly, better survival was observed in all the treatments. The body indices total weight, edible, non-edible portion, hepato somatic index and muscle ratio was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher in shrimp fed with diet containing 35% protein. Whole body composition of post fed animals showed non-significant differences (p&gt;0.05) among the various treatments. The fatty acid composition of whole, edible and non-edible portions showed that 17:0 (Heptadecanoic acid), 18:0 (Octadecanoic acid), 20:4n-6 (Eicosanoic acid) 21:0 (Heneicosanoic acid), 24:0 (Tetracosanoic acid) was higher in edible portion of shrimp fed with 35% protein supplemented diet. Similarly, other fatty acid was higher in whole body and non-edible portions. The results of this experiment infer that 35% protein has got a beneficial effect in the diet of L. vannamei juveniles for improving the various growth parameters.