Biomin has published a study that suggests that Digestarom® PEP MGE can be incorporated into shrimp low fishmeal diets to compensate for the negative performance and immunological effects of partially replacing fishmeal with plant-based protein.

Fishmeal has long been one of the most important ingredients in formulated aquafeeds, due to its high protein content, excellent composition of essential amino acids, and high digestibility. Increasing economic and ecological concerns regarding the use of fishmeal have encouraged the development of replacement strategies. Plant-derived products have been suggested to partially replace fishmeal in aquafeeds, however often at decreased growth performance, inflammatory responses, and increased susceptibility to diseases.

Digestarom® is a specifically formulated phytogenic product line incorporating carefully selected ingredients with flavoring and specific biologically active properties. It is made from the highest quality raw materials to harness the power of phytogenic compounds.

The Biomin’s study assessed the effects of this feed additive on the growth, nutritional performance, and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei. Juvenile shrimp were fed one of the four experimental diets: standard formulation (control, 24% fishmeal), low fishmeal diet (5%), low fishmeal diet plus 0.2 g/kg Digestarom® PEP MGE, and low fishmeal diet plus 0.4 g/kg Digestarom® PEP MGE.

The results obtained after 63 days of feed supplementation suggest that the blend of essential oils tested compensated for the negative performance and health consequences of the low fishmeal diet. Particularly, the survival, FCR, total hemocyte count, and respiratory burst of the shrimp fed a low fishmeal diet supplemented with this phytogenic improved up to the levels recorded for shrimp fed a high fishmeal diet.

Read full study here.