Effects of astaxanthin and vitamin a supplementation on growth, survival and low salinity tolerance of Penaeus monodon larvae

Abstract

Penaeus monodon larvae (zoea, mysis, and postlarvae) were fed 9 different diets consisting three levels of astaxanthin (0, 200, and 500 ppm) and three levels of vitamin A (0, 20,000, and 40,000 IU/kg) combinations. The experiment was 3x3 factorials in completely randomized design with three replicates. The diets were formulated from raw natural materials with mean protein and lipid levels of 50 and 11%, respectively. The results showed that, there was a significant interaction between astaxanthin and vitamin A on survival and growth of zoea, mysis, and postlarval P. monodon. The interaction also found on 50%cumulative mortality of the postlarvae after a low salinity stress test. At 0 ppm astaxanthin, zoea shrimp fed diet without additional astaxanthin and vitamin A was significantly higher survival and specific growth rate than shrimp fed the other diets (P<0.05). At 200 ppm astaxanthin, zoea shrimp fed diet with additional 20,000 IU/kg vitamin A hadhigher significant survival rate than shrimp fed the other vitamin A levels (P<0.05). However, it was not difference significantly of specific growth rate of all treatments. At 500 ppm astaxanthin, the survival rate and specific growth rate of zoea shrimp fed diet with additional only 500 ppm astaxanthin were higher than shrimp fed the other diets. Survival rate of mysis shrimp fed diet without astaxanthin and vitamin A was higher than the shrimp fed other diets. At 200 ppm astaxanthin, the results showed that survival rate of mysis shrimp fed diet containing 200 ppm astaxanthin with additional 20,000 IU/kg vitamin A had higher than the other groups. At 500 ppm astaxanthin, shrimp fed diet only 500 ppm astaxanthin was the highest survival rate than shrimp fed the other diets (P<0.05). However, specific growth rates were no significant difference in all diets. At 0 ppm astaxanthin, postlarval shrimp received diet with additional 20,000 IU/kg vitamin A was significant higher survival rate than shrimp fed the other diets. However, the highest specific growth rate and CM[subscript 50] were found on shrimp fed diet with no additional astaxanthin and vitamin A. At 200 ppm astaxanthin, postlarvae fed diet with additional 20,000 IU/kg vitamin A gave the better survival rate and specific growth rate than larvae fed the other diets. However, shrimp fed diet without additional astaxanthin and vitamin A had higher CM[subscript 50] than the other diets. At 500 ppm astaxanthin, the results showed that shrimp fed diet with only 500 ppm astaxanthin had the best survival rate, specific growth rate, and CM[subscript 50]. The astaxanthin and vitamin A content of shrimp after acquiring different astaxanthin and vitamin A levels, the results indicated that amount of astaxanthin and vitamin A accumulation positively related to astaxanthin and vitamin A in the diets.