Growth and fatty acid composition of Penaeus monodon juveniles fed various lipids

Abstract

A 4-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the growth and fatty acid composition of Penaeus monodon juveniles fed dietary lipids from different sources. The animal lipid (cod liver oil, pork lard and beef tallow) and plant lipid (soybean oil, coconut oil and corn oil) sources were fed at 4%, 8% or 12% levels in semi-purified diets. There was no significant interaction between lipid source and lipid level (alpha = 0.05) but the weight gain and specific growth rate of prawns fed 12% cod liver oil were significantly higher than all other treatments. Prawns fed soybean oil followed and then animals fed corn oil. Coconut oil, pork lard and beef tallow were poor lipid sources for the P. monodon juveniles. The fatty acid composition of the prawns reflected that of the dietary lipids and HUFAs were incorporated more into the polar lipid fraction. The fatty acids 16:0 and 16:1 increased in prawns fed no lipids. The ratio on n3/n6 was high in prawns fed cod liver oil. For juvenile P. monodon, 2.6% dietary HUFA enhance growth; levels of 18:2n6 > 5% have a negative effect.