Effect of supplemental lecithin and lipid sources on the growth and survival of Penaeus monodon juveniles

Abstract

Penaeus monodon juveniles were reared in 60-liter fiberglass oval tanks in a flow-through seawater system for 8 weeks to determine the effect of lecithin and type of lipid on growth and survival. Nine isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets consisting of a basal practical diet (40% protein, 10% lipid) with 3 levels of soy lecithin and 3 sources of lipid cod liver oil, crude degummed soybean oil and purified soybean oil were used. Feed was offered twice daily. Percentage weight gains significantly increased as the level of lecithin was increased from 0 to 2% regardless of the lipid source. At all levels of lecithin, survival rates were significantly higher in those fed diets containing crude degummed soybean oil compared to those fed either cod liver oil or purified soybean oil. Lecithin levels and lipid sources did not significantly affect the feed conversion values. The best was that which had 2% soy lecithin with 3.8% crude degummed soybean oil.