Shrimp actively graze on the bottom substrates of ponds and are exposed to exchanges of microflora between the environment and their digestive systems. This increases the risk for proliferation of unfavorable gut microflora, which can affect digestive functioning.

The digestive systems of shrimp are also main entry points for the bacterial and viral infections that remain a major risk for profitable shrimp production. The use of antibiotics to control microbial development throughout the production process is not desirable due to the risk for building up resistance and its rejection by legislators and consumers. The shrimp industry therefore requires alternative ways to control the microbial ecosystems in production systems.

Sustainable approaches to modulate the gut microflora in shrimp include the use of a variety of natural compounds capable of modulating the microflora toward a favorable composition, such as probiotics, organic acids, yeast extracts and phytobiotics.

A study carried out in Ecuador to evaluate the effects on shrimp productivity of a feed additive with multiple actions on gut health, has shown better yield, survival rates and feed conversion.

Author: Juan Carlos Valle, Global Aquaculture Advocate. Read the full article here.