Application of distiller's dried grain with soluble enzyme cocktail pretreatment product on growth performance and immunity of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Abstract

The study on antagonist effects of cocktail enzyme activity on antagonist effects of cocktail enzyme activity analysis of mixed enzyme revealed stable protease activity across time, while cellulase, xylanase, and phytase activities significantly declined after prolonged mixing with protease (p<0.05). Nutritional composition of R-DDGS improved with enzymatic treatment, exhibiting higher crude protein (up to 56.6%) and enhanced protein digestibility, alongside reduced fiber and phytic acid levels. The study in shrimp involved juvenile white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured under control condition over a 42-day period. The results showed that shrimp fed enzyme-treated R-DDGS diets (T3-protease, T4-Protease+NSP, T5-Protease+NSP+phytase) demonstrated significant improvements in growth performance compared to shrimp fed untreated R-DDGS (T2) and in the same range as Control-soybean meal diet (T1). Enzyme treated diets also modulated immune responses, with a reduction in total hemocyte count (THC) and stable levels of other immune markers. Additionally, R-DDGS diets enhanced protein digestibility, reflected in higher reducing sugar levels and carbohydrate breakdown (p<0.05). The shrimp coloration (a and b values) did not differ significantly, enzyme-treated diets supported slight improvements in pigmentation, enhancing market value (p<0.05). These findings underscore the potential of enzyme-treated R-DDGS as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient for aquaculture, offering improved nutrient utilization, growth performance, and immune modulation.