Effects of antioxidants on feed quality and growth of Penaeus monodon juveniles

Abstract

Four practical diets were formulated to contain 0.05%, of the following antioxidants: butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA), propyl gallate (PG) or ethoxyquin (ETHQ). A fifth diet, with no added antioxidant, served as a control. The diets were fed to Penaeus monodon juveniles to determine the effects of antioxidants on feed quality and growth of the animals. The results showed no significant difference (P> 0.05) between the control and the feeds containing antioxidants in 2-thiobarbituric acid values after 0, 30, 60, and 90 days storage, respectively. There was a significant difference by the 120th day of storage, but no signs of physical deterioration were observed in any of the diets. The highest weight gains (704% and 742%) were obtained with shrimps fed diets with BHT and BHA, respectively, as antioxidants. Hepatopancreatic lesion formation was evident with shrimps fed diets containing antioxidants but not with shrimps fed a diet without antioxidant. Shrimps fed with BHT-added feed showed fewest lesions in the hepatopancreas. Although all shrimp samples given feed containing PG and ETHQ showed lesions, these were patchy in nature and did not affect the growth rates of the animals.