Abstract

The aquaculture industry, much like its counterparts in the livestock sector faces challenges stemming from the high cost and limited availability of feed ingredients.  A key distinction in aquafeed is the continued reliance on fish meal as a primary protein source for carnivorous species, including shrimp.  While well-managed shrimp farms can exhibit greater resiliency due to the high value of their end products, these operations are not entirely immune to the challenges associated with raw material sourcing and utilization.

To address these issues, there has been an increasing trend toward incorporating plant-based ingredients and locally available raw materials into shrimp feed formulations.  However, these alternative sources can contain anti-nutritional factors, such as phytates and non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), which may negatively impact nutrient availability, digestibility, and overall shrimp health.

The application of enzymes in livestock nutrition has been a common practice for over three decades, providing various benefits, such as improved nutrient utilization, cost savings, and enhanced animal health.  The aquaculture industry, facing its own set of challenges, could greatly benefit from a broader adoption of enzyme use in shrimp feed.

Successful implementation of enzymes in shrimp feed requires overcoming several technical obstacles, including identifying appropriate enzymes for specific raw materials and feed formulations, ensuring enzyme stability under production and aquatic conditions, and navigating potential regulatory hurdles.  By addressing these challenges, the shrimp aquaculture industry could unlock the wide-ranging benefits associated with enzyme application, including improved growth performance, reduced feed costs, and enhanced environmental sustainability.