Researchers in Mexico and Brazil have determined positive effects from supplementing shrimp diets (Penaeus vannamei) with sodium salts (formate, acetate, lactate, propionate, butyrate, fumarate, succinate and citrate). 

In a growth trial, the highest final weights were in shrimp fed diets supplemented with fumarate, succinate, butyrate and propionate, increasing 53%, 46%, 38% and 29% respectively, compared to the control. Shrimp that were fed diets with fumarate, digested more feed and had a feed conversion ratio 23% higher than the control shrimp. Shrimp survival did not differ among treatments. The researchers concluded that organic salts in the diet modify digestive enzymatic activity and protein digestibility.

Source: Shrimp News International: Aquaculture Nutrition. Improved Digestion and Initial Performance of Whiteleg Shrimp Using Organic Salt Supplements. B.C. Silva, H. Nolasco-Soria (email hnolasco04@cibnor.mx, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, La Paz, BCS, Mexico), F. Magallón-Barajas, R. Civera-Cerecedo, R. Casillas-Hernández and W. Seiffert. Online Version Before Inclusion in an Issue.

Article first published online on June 5, 2015.