Abstract

Organic acids, worms, and other high protein substances, containing most of the essential amino acids, have been proven to bean excellent food additive for fish and in aquaculture, especially for shrimp culture. The worm Eisenia foetida and vermicompost sub products have been used as a protein source because of their high protein content, between 50 and 67%; they have been included in experimental aquatic feeds, but their use is less known in shrimp culture and has not been tested as a food complement for shrimps. In this study, we added microcapsules with liquid vermicompost as a natural immune enhancer to stimulate disease resistance in shrimp, but they were used also as a complement in shrimp food to observe their survival and growth. Ground commercial shrimp food (CSF) with 40% protein was added to each of eight treatments as follows: A2:CSF+2% of cow manure microencapsulated liquid vermicompost (CMMLV); A3:CSF+3% of CMMLV; A5:CSF+5% of CMMLV; V2:CSF+2% cafeteria wastes microencapsulated liquid vermicompost (CWMLV); V3: CSF+3% CWMLV; V5: CSF+5% CWMLV; CNE:CSF + microencapsulated distilled water, and CN: CSF alone. Initial and average weight gain did not depict statistically significant differences among treatments, but there were significant differences in the specific growth rate and survival. The use of liquid vermicompost resulted in a plausible option to enhance shrimp nutrition. Further studies must be done to test how much shrimps can grow in a longer period and whether this additive can be an option to prevent shrimp diseases.

Keywords

shrimp, liquid vermicompost, microencapsulation, growth, survival, protein quality, shrimp culture, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty,