Effects of supplemental Azomite in diets on growth, immune function and disease resistance of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of dietary Azomite, a natural mineral of volcanic ash, on growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, serum non-specific immunity and disease resistance of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Graded levels of 0.0 g kg À1 (control group), 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 and 8.0 g kg À1 Azomite were supplemented in basal diet to feed shrimps. After 6 weeks feeding, weight gains of the 2.0 and 4.0 g kg À1 Azomite groups were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with control group, the activities of stomach protease, hepatopancreas lipase, and serum alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme and phenoloxidase were significantly increased by the 4.0 g kg À1 Azomite addition (P < 0.05). When subjected to hypoxia stress, the lethal times of the first shrimp and all shrimps were both delayed by the addition of 2.0-6.0 g kg À1 Azomite to diets, compared with the lethal time of control group. At the 96th hour after the injection of bacterium (Vibrio alginolyticus), the accumulated mortality of 4.0 g kg À1 Azomite addition group was 34.6% lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). The results showed that dietary levels of 2.0 and 4.0 g kg À1 Azomite can improve the growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, serum non-specific immune function and disease resistance of white shrimp.

Effect of Azomite on Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention, Immunity and Bone Mineralization of Broiler Chickens

“…Over last two decades, azomite widely used as a feed additive in aquaculture as well as in livestock and organic agriculture. Some research findings reported that azomite improves the feed quality, weight gain, nutrient digestibility, feed conversion ratio and immunity in shrimp, tilapia and catfish (Liu et al, 2009(Liu et al, , 2011Musthafa et al, 2016;Tan et al, 2014). Azomite also increases the activity of digestive enzymes in tilapia Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Liu et al, 2009;Tan et al, 2014).…”

Effect of feeding frequency on growth and digestive enzyme activity in Litopenaeus vannamei during the grow‐out phase in biofloc system

“…Some researchers have evaluated the effects of different diets on the activity of proteases, carbohydrases and lipases in penaeids (Shao et al, 2017;Tan et al, 2014;Xu, Pan, Sun, & Huang, 2013).…”

Effects of Azomite‐ and Sea Salt‐Supplemented Diets on Growth, Feed Conversion Efficiency, Survival, and Resistance against Edwardsiella ictaluri in Channel Catfish Fingerlings

“…In Vibrio alginolyticus ‐challenged shrimp, azomite supplementation increased survival rates (Tan et al. ). Echeverry et al.…”

“…The basal diet was supplemented with azomite (0.25% or 0.50%) or sea salt (0.5% or 1.0%). The supplementation levels were based on previously published studies (Nandeesha et al 2000;Gangadhara et al 2004; Harpaz et al 2005;Liu et al 2009Liu et al , 2011Tan et al 2014;Musthafa et al 2016). The levels of other ingredients were constant for all diets.…”

“…An adequate level of trace minerals in the diet is crucial for optimal immune function when fish are confronted with suboptimal environmental conditions and stress (Maggini et al 2007). In Vibrio alginolyticus-challenged shrimp, azomite supplementation increased survival rates (Tan et al 2014). Echeverry et al (2016) found that trace mineral supplementation enhanced local and systemic innate immune responses and modulated oxidative stress in broiler chickens.…”