Entobel, a Singaporean AgTech startup specialized in the production and processing of insects into high-end products with applications in the agri and biotech industry, evaluated the effect of its H-meal on growth performance and diseases tolerance on penaeid shrimp Penaeus vannamei.

Objective

The trial aimed at replacing fishmeal in practical shrimp diet by Entobel H-meal at three different levels: 12.5%, 25%, and 37.5% of fishmeal leading to inclusion rates of around 3.3% (T1), 6.6% (T2) and 9.9% (T3) of H-Meal in treatment diets. Shrimp growth performance was assessed and a disease challenge against Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) was also performed.

Feed trial results

After 42 days fed on isonitrogenous formulated diets, shrimps’ weight, ADG and FCR were recorded. The H-meal treatments showed higher values in terms of final weight, mean weight gain, ADG, SGR, and FCR (Table 1).

Table 1. Feed trial results.

Disease challenge results

Shrimp immune response challenged against Early Mortality Syndrome/Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (EMS/AHPND) was improved showing an increase in disease tolerance in all of H-Meal treatments (Fig. 1).

Figure 1. Disease challenge results.

The company set up its operations in Vietnam in 2013. Five years of research and development allowed Entobel to develop an efficient and scalable production system. The first factory was set up in 2019 with production capacity of 1,000 tons per year of insect meal (H-Meal). After a successful scale up, Entobel continues to search for strategic partners and investors to expand in the region and meet global demand for H-Meal.

For more information contact info@entobel.com.