Evaluation of Song-Gang® bio-stone as a feed additive in White leg Shrimp, Litopenaeus vanammei

Abstract

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Song-Gang® bio-stone (SGS, Davibio -stone Co., Ltd., Busan, Rep. Korea) on growth performances as a natural mineral feed additive in White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vanammei). Six experimental diets include, a basal diet (CON), a positive control diet (OTC) with antibiotics (0.4% oxytetracycline of diet) and the 4 SGS diets as follows: 0.25%, 0.35%, 0.45%, 0.90% SGS with the basal diet. Eighteen tanks of 20 shrimps averaging 1.10 ± 0.05 g (mean ± SD) were randomly assigned into three replicates of the six dietary treatments, and shrimp fed the experimental diets for seven weeks. Results showed that weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio of White leg shrimp fed 4 SGS diets were not significantly different from those of shrimp fed OTC and CON diet (P > 0.05). Results did not outline an agreement with the previous studies of SGS in fish; however, trends with mean values accompanied by significant differences in body composition (lipid and protein content) in the SGS45 and SGS90 groups suggest that additional investigation of SGS may be advisable. It is possible that beneficial effects of dietary SGS in L. vannamei could become apparent under different experimental conditions. Therefore, the effects of SGS as a feed additive on growth performancess and immune responses of fresh water and marine fish could be reviewed and the above results of White leg shrimp will be discussed.