Optimizing shrimp growth requires a healthy environment. The success of shrimp farming using biofloc technology depends on key factors such as water quality and shrimp gut health, both of which are strongly influenced by small organisms called microbial flocs.
A new study by scientists from IPB University (Indonesia) and Udayana University (Indonesia) sheds light on how the complexity of carbohydrates added to shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) rearing tanks in biofloc technology can dramatically impact these flocs and, ultimately, affect shrimp health and growth.
Microscopic Marvels: Microbial Flocs
Microbial flocs are small clusters of bacteria suspended in water. These flocs play a crucial role in shrimp aquaculture using biofloc technology by providing a food source and helping maintain water quality. Interestingly, the complexity of carbohydrates added to the water can significantly affect these flocs.
Simple vs. Complex Carbohydrates: Shaping the Microbial Landscape
The study compared the effects of three different carbohydrates:
- Dextrose (simple sugar): Easily consumed by bacteria, producing larger but less diverse flocs.
- Potato starch (complex polysaccharide): Slower breakdown by bacteria, resulting in smaller flocs with a composition similar to simple sugars.
- Cellulose (complex non-starch polysaccharide): The most complex option, requiring multiple bacterial steps to break down, leading to smaller flocs with greater microbial diversity.
The Findings: It’s All About Complexity
The study revealed some fascinating results:
- Floc Size and Quantity: Dextrose produced larger and more abundant flocs but with potentially lower nutritional value for shrimp.
- Microbial Diversity: Cellulose promoted the development of more diverse floc communities, potentially offering a wider range of nutrients for shrimp.
- Shrimp Growth: Interestingly, shrimp in tanks containing cellulose as a carbohydrate source showed the best growth performance.
Impact on Shrimp
While simple sugars seem like a quick fix for bacterial growth, they may not provide the optimal nutritional profile for a diverse and healthy microbial community. Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, foster a broader range of microbes, potentially leading to a more balanced ecosystem that benefits shrimp gut health and growth.
The complexity of the carbohydrate source had a surprising effect on the shrimp:
- Gut Microbiome: Shrimp fed with cellulose had the most diverse gut microbiome, potentially indicating a healthier digestive system.
- Growth Performance: Curiously, shrimp raised with cellulose, the most complex carbohydrate, showed the best growth.
Moreover, the study suggests that the carbohydrate type influences some bacteria’s genetic expression, which could affect their interactions with shrimp. More research is needed to understand these mechanisms fully.
Optimizing Shrimp Aquaculture
This research highlights the importance of considering the complexity of carbohydrates used in shrimp aquaculture. By selecting the right carbohydrates, shrimp farmers can:
- Promote a Healthy Microbiome: A diverse and balanced microbial community benefits shrimp and water quality.
- Improve Shrimp Growth and Health: Healthy shrimp leads to a more productive and sustainable farm.
Conclusion
“The structural complexity of carbohydrates could significantly affect the characteristics of microbial flocs suspended in the rearing water and ultimately could affect shrimp growth performance,” the scientists concluded.
The study underscores the importance of considering carbohydrate complexity in shrimp aquaculture. While this research is promising, more studies are needed to optimize the use of carbon sources:
- Refine Carbohydrate Choices: Identify the most optimal complex carbohydrates to promote diverse and beneficial microbial communities.
- Understand Gut Health: Investigate the link between complex carbohydrates, microbial diversity, and the specific gut microbiome of shrimp.
By promoting a diverse microbial community through complex carbohydrates like cellulose, we can create a healthier environment that ultimately leads to better shrimp growth. This approach offers a sustainable and potentially more productive way to farm shrimp.
The study was funded by the Ministry of Research and Technology/National Research and Innovation Agency.
Contact
Julie Ekasari
Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, IPB University
Bogor 16680, Indonesia.
Email: j_ekasari@apps.ipb.ac.id
Reference
Ekasari, J., Allam, M. F., Wiyoto, W., Julyantoro, P. G. S., Fauzi, I. A., Gustilatov, M., & Nasrullah, H. (2024). Carbohydrate structural complexity modulates the formation, composition and functionality of microbial flocs and its impact on gut microbiota and growth of Pacific white shrimp. Aquaculture, 591, 741122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741122
