Considering the current context of high raw materials prices due to Ukraine’s war and low fishmeal (FM) availability, the need to find alternative ingredients is crucial in aquafeed. This is all the more important given that farmers, in particular shrimp farmers are facing high production costs and low selling prices.
Indonesia produced 46 million tons of crude palm oil in 2021, making it the world’s largest palm oil producer. The production of palm oil generates palm kernel meal (PKM) which is its main by-product. PKM could be a promising alternative ingredient to substitute fish meal and reduce feed costs, as it is locally available and cheap. Though, solutions should be founded to overcome its high fibrous (~19%) and medium grade protein (~16%) content and make it more digestible for shrimps.
Economix is a plant-based feed additive produced by TECHNA FRANCE NUTRITION (Couëron, France) that aims at improving protein digestibility, increasing palatability and balancing the amino acid profile within the diet. It could be a solution to overcome the unbalanced nutritional profile of PKM and lower the protein content of shrimp diets.
This study held at Jakarta University investigates for 90 days the effect of Economix on the growth performance and health condition of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (mean initial weight 0.7 g) fed with different PKM levels (2.5, 6, 9%) in substitution of FM, cereals, soybean meal and poultry meal, with protein contents ranging from 34 to 35%.
The results showed that the inclusion of 0.2% Economix significantly increased the growth
(p < 0.05), significantly reduced the FCR (p < 0.01) and significantly increased the lysozyme activity (p < 0.05) of shrimps fed diets that include PKM. Survival rates were in the range of 88-92% with no significant difference between treatments.
To conclude, using Economix supplementation improved growth performance, feed efficiency and health status of shrimps fed with diets including PKM.