Dietary Supplement of Microalgal Astaxanthin Extraction Improved Shell Pigmentation and Nutritional Value of Litopenaeus vannamei in an Indoor Industrial Aquaculture System

Abstract

Blue-shell syndrome is associated with low levels of astaxanthin (Ax) deposition in cultured shrimp. Such a syndrome is a key issue in indoor industrial shrimp aquaculture. In this study, we investigated the effect of dietary supplementation with microalgal Ax extract (MAAE), extracted from the microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis, on shell pigmentation and nutritional value of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Dietary supplementation with MAAE (20 mg kg-1) effectively improved shrimp pigmentation. In addition to increased growth and nutritional value, shrimp muscles had higher free amino acid concentrations (Asp, Ser, Ala, Val, and His) and lower fatty acid concentrations (except for C18:0, C18:1n9c, C20:0, C20:2, and C24:1) compared to those in the control group. In conclusion, this study indicated that a relatively low dose of MAAE at 20 mg kg-1 may improve the growth and nutritional value of shrimp in an indoor industrial shrimp aquaculture system.