Will Gang Lin
Research Manager & Mineral Management
Technical Manager, Asia Pacific
Alltech
China
Will is a monogastric nutritionist, who has been involved in commercial feedmill, livestock production, research and industry training. He is currently Research Manager & Mineral Management Technical Manager, Asia-Pacific, servicing a wide client base across a broad spectrum of livestock species. He has worked with nearly all the top 20 feed enterprises, livestock producers and integrators in China, including technical support, co-research, seminars and workshops. He is known for his ability to condense research finding into practical technology with commercial application and provides tailored solution for specific customers and needs.
Will received his postdoctoral training in Quality and Safety for Feed/Food, with a PhD in Animal Nutrition and Reproduction, and has served as a peer reviewer for many top scientific journals. He helped to develop “Alltech Research Alliances” with universities, research institutes, and top enterprises in China.
| Presentation | Functional Additives That Work: Evidence-Based Solutions to Strengthen Shrimp Immunity and Gut Health |
Abstract
This presentation will share key findings from two recent studies focused on improving the health, performance, and resilience of Penaeus vannamei through practical feed strategies relevant to shrimp farming.
One investigation examined the impact of dietary exposure to combined mycotoxins—aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and deoxynivalenol (DON)—at both low and high concentrations, along with the mitigating effects of a yeast cell wall extract (YCWE). Even at lower doses, these mycotoxins negatively affected shrimp by weakening immune and antioxidant responses, increasing liver stress, degrading muscle texture, and disrupting gut microbiota balance. However, dietary inclusion of 0.2% YCWE significantly alleviated these issues, improving hepatopancreas and intestinal health, enhancing beneficial microbial populations, and increasing the excretion of mycotoxins through faeces. These results emphasize the importance of proactive mycotoxin management in commercial shrimp diets.
The second research effort evaluated the use of inorganic versus organic trace mineral premixes at varying inclusion levels. While inorganic minerals are widely used in the industry, their bioavailability remains a concern. The findings demonstrated that a half-dose organic mineral premix not only matched but outperformed a full-dose inorganic alternative. Shrimp fed the organic trace minerals showed better immune and antioxidant responses, improved mineral accumulation—especially zinc and copper—and increased expression of mineral transporter genes. Moreover, the organic mineral diet promoted a healthier intestinal microbiota, increasing beneficial bacteria while reducing potential pathogens such as Vibrios.
Together, these insights support the use of functional feed additives—like YCWE and organic trace minerals—as effective tools to enhance shrimp health, reduce production risks, and support sustainable aquaculture practices.