Effects of dietary Arthrospira platensis nanoparticles on growth performance, feed utilization, and growth-related gene expression of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Abstract

The utilization of nanoparticle-based microalgae as aquaculture feed additives is a growing research trend. The present study examines the effect of conversion of Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 (AP) to nano-form on its phytochemical constituents, followed by a feeding experiment to investigate the dietary effect of nanoparticles of A. platensis, NAP (NAP0.25%, NAP0.5%, and NAP1%) on growth, feed utilization, and growth-related gene expression of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, comparing with negative (non-supplemented diet) and positive control (supplemented diet with normal Arthrospira). The shrimp postlarvae (0.124 ± 0.002 g) were allocated into glass aquaria (40 L; three aquaria per group) and fed the experimental diet for 90 days. The GC-Mass analysis revealed that the conversion of A. platensis to its nano-form induced notable phytochemical changes. The main phytochemicals of NAP were milbemycin B (66.68%), docosanoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester (22.26%), and copper etioporphyrin (11.06%). The dietary supplementation of NAP in different levels improved all growth indices, survival, and feed utilization parameters compared to the negative and positive control at the same supplementation level. The weight gain, survival, and feed conversion ratio were improved by 66.11%, 23.51%, and 13.60%, respectively in group fed NAP1% supplemented diet compared to the negative control. The expression of IGF-I and IGF-II were upregulated with NAP supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, the present study recommended the use of 1% NAP as dietary supplementation for improving growth, survival, and feed utilization of Pacific white shrimp.