Symbiotic technology using ferments with beneficial microorganisms has managed to alleviate some of the serious problems of traditional aquaculture such as the need to perform water changes or the elimination of waste and toxic substances. In this study, the growth and productive performance of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei cultivated using symbiotic technology were evaluated, considering the contribution of silicon as a mineral supplement.
For this purpose, two treatments 1 and 2 were implemented with symbiotic technology and the use of powdered silicon-based mineral in treatment 2. The control was implemented without symbiotic technology or silicon supplementation. Symbiotic technology was based on the application of organic ferments based on rice bran, molasses, and probiotics (Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The application of silicon-based mineral was at a (31%). The variables evaluated were average weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR); protein efficiency ratio (PER), and survival. Water coloration, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), Nitrite, pH, DO, salinity, and suspended solids in an Imhoff cone (mL/L) were also evaluated.
The most relevant results were obtained regarding average weight and weight gain, showing better performance in treatments 1 and 2 compared to the control (Figure 1). Regarding water quality, green coloration indicating the presence of microalgae was observed in the control, while in treatments 1 and 2, brown coloration indicating bacterial and zooplankton prevalence was observed. TAN, nitrite, DO, pH, and temperature parameters remained significant differences and better performance in both treatments respect to control. The study concludes that the application of symbiotic technology improves water quality but especially animal growth performance.