鳗弧菌、溶藻胶弧菌外膜蛋白的分离及特性

分别用SDS、Sarkosyl及PMSF法分离制备鳗弧菌（Vibrio anguillarum）、溶藻胶弧菌（Vibrio alginolyticus）主要外膜蛋白（MOMP），通过SDS-PAGE分析比较2种弧菌主要外膜蛋白的组成结构。结果表明，SDS、Sarkosyl和PMSF法分离提取的鳗弧菌和溶藻胶弧菌外膜蛋白中，SDS-PAGE电泳图谱不同，鳗弧菌外膜蛋白分子量为27-138kD；溶藻胶弧菌外膜蛋白分子量为27-104kD，其中，45kD、30kD和27kD外膜蛋白为鳗弧菌和溶藻胶弧菌所共有。经比较，Sarkosyl法对2种弧菌外膜蛋白的提取效果较好。对3种方法提取的2种弧菌的主要外膜蛋白进行SDS PAGE后，分别与吸附后的兔抗鳗弧菌、抗溶藻胶弧菌血清的Western-blotting印迹显示，兔抗鳗弧菌血清与其菌株的外膜蛋白主要有3条免疫反应带，其分子量分别为97kD、51kD和30kD，说明其可能与鳗弧菌抗原的特异性有关；兔抗溶藻胶弧菌血清与其菌株的外膜蛋白主要有2条免疫反应带，其分子量分别为51kD和27kD，说明可能与溶藻胶弧菌抗原的特异性有关，而51kD外膜蛋白可能是2种弧菌共有的特异性抗原。     

嗜水气单胞菌J-1株OmpA融合蛋白的高效表达及免疫原性分析

以嗜水气单胞菌（Aeromonas hydrophila）J-1株基因组为模板,根据GenBank已发表的嗜水气单胞菌外膜蛋白的基因序列设计1对引物,扩增去除信号肽序列的成熟外膜蛋白OmpA的基因片段,定向克隆至表达质粒pET32a（＋）中,重组质粒经限制性酶切鉴定后测序。结果表明,插入片段长度为948bp,与NCBI上登录的几个相关序列相比,同源性在93．1％-95％之间,缺失4个氨基酸。将重组原核表达质粒pET32a-OmpA转化至大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）,经诱导可表达分子量约57．4kD的蛋白,凝胶薄层扫描显示OmpA在转化菌中表达量占全菌蛋白的50％以上。用兔抗J-1株总外膜蛋白血清进行Western blot,在57．4kD处有明显反应条带。融合蛋白经Ni-NTA树脂柱亲和层析纯化后免疫新西兰兔制备抗血清,ELISA效价达1：12800以上。Western blot检测结果显示,该血清与9株具有代表性的气单胞菌的分子量约35kD的外膜蛋白均有较强反应,说明所表达的融合蛋白不仅保持原有外膜蛋白的免疫原性,而且提示OmpA可能是嗜水气单胞菌的共同保护性抗原。[中国水产科学,2008,15（2）：301—306]     

中华鳖气单胞菌菌细胞苗和菌化学成份疫苗研制

利用分离自中华鳖的嗜水气单胞菌Ａｈ９６１００４、Ａｈ９６０９１６和Ａｈ９７０５１６与温和气单胞菌Ａｓ９７０５１０菌体及其上清制备灭活苗细胞苗和化学成份疫苗。肌肉注射中华鳖进行免疫,加强免疫１５ｄ后,用菌株Ａｈ９６１００４腹腔注射进行攻击,观察２０ｄ。结果表明,温和气单胞菌Ａｓ９７０５１０株的菌苗及其胞外分泌物（ＥＣＰ）苗组和嗜水气单胞菌Ａｈ９６１００４株的外膜成份组对嗜水气单胞菌的攻击的保护率最高     

不同来源嗜水气单胞菌外膜蛋白基因检测及序列分析

采用PCR方法,对分离于发病宽体金线蛭(Whitmania pigra)、中国林蛙(Rana temporaria chensinensis)、牙鲆(Paralichthys olivaceus)、草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellua)、青鱼(Mylopharyngodon piceus)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)的42株致病性嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)进行了外膜蛋白(OMP)基因的检测;将代表菌株的外膜蛋白基因通过DNAStar软件与GenBank中报道的4株嗜水气单胞菌(FJ437030.1、AF183931.1、AF276639.2、CP000462.1)和1株温和气单胞菌(A.sobria,FJ437029.1)参考菌株进行了核苷酸同源性比较分析。结果表明,所检不同来源嗜水气单胞菌的OMP基因携带率为100%;所测代表菌株的OMP基因与参考菌株的同源性在86.0%～99.2%之间。所测得的不同来源嗜水气单胞菌OMP基因的同源性98.3%～100%,其中分离于宽体金线蛭的HTQ010505-1与青鱼的HL060811-4两菌株间同源性高达100%。     

27株嗜水气单胞菌致病性及ERIC—PCR指纹图谱分析

从福建省淡水养殖鱼类体内分离到27株嗜水气单胞菌,根据嗜水气单胞菌16SrDNA基因和气溶素基因（aerolysin）的保守序列,设计2对引物,对所分离到的27株嗜水气单胞菌进行双重PCR扩增,扩增结果表明,其中18株为含有Aer毒力基因的潜在致病性嗜水气单胞菌,占总菌数的66．67％。应用ERIC-PCR分型技术对27株嗜水气单胞菌菌株进行分析,以相似度54．00％为限,所有菌株可分为Ⅰ和Ⅱ两大聚类,以76．00％相似度为界,27株嗜水气单胞菌可分为11个聚类,同一个聚类中菌株分离区域基本相同。分析结果表明,分离的嗜水气单胞菌基因型的多样性和分离地域具有一定的关联,也表明ERIC-PCR可以有效应用于嗜水气单胞茵分子流行病学调查。     

1株嗜水气单胞菌的拮抗菌鉴定及其特性研究

从池塘养殖的团头鲂(Megalobrama amblycephala)肠道中分离筛选出15株嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)拮抗菌,其中菌株S24在平板贴片试验中对供试的嗜水气单胞菌菌株具有稳定和较高的拮抗作用。综合形态学观察、生理生化指标检测及分子序列(16S rDNA,gyrB)分析,将菌株S24确定为解淀粉芽孢杆菌(Bacillus amyloliquefaciens)。拮抗菌S24和嗜水气单胞菌(菌株43)的共凝集率为(36.0%±4.3%)。共培养试验可见拮抗菌S24能明显抑制嗜水气单胞菌43的增殖;共培养18 h时,嗜水气单胞菌43的细胞数量达到最低。试验结果表明,拮抗菌株S24适宜作为潜在防治嗜水气单胞菌病的益生菌。     

大菱鲆致病性溶藻弧菌SR1的外膜蛋白及其抗原性分析

用十二烷基肌氨酸钠(Sarkosyl)抽提结合超速离心的方法提取了一株大菱鲆致病性溶藻弧菌(Vibrio alginolyticus)SR1和其他7株弧菌的外膜蛋白。通过SDS-PAGE图谱分析比较了这8株弧菌外膜蛋白的组成,结果表明,8株弧菌的外膜蛋白电泳一般可得到6-12条条带,其分子量多集中在65-106 kD和28-48 kD,其中36 kD的蛋白带为8株弧菌所共有。用兔抗SR1全菌血清进行Western-blot印迹显示,菌株SR1的外膜蛋白条带中有6条发生了阳性反应,其分子量分别为73 kD、48 kD4、5 kD3、9 kD、36 kD和32 kD。而其他7株弧菌的外膜蛋白与兔抗SR1血清也发生程度不等的阳性反应,这些阳性反应条带的分子量集中在65-73 kD、45-48 kD和36-41 kD之间,其中36 kD的外膜蛋白在8株弧菌中均出现明显的阳性反应,说明36 kD的外膜蛋白是这8株弧菌共有的特异性抗原。     

嗜水气单胞菌单克隆抗体的制备及特性分析

利用杂交瘤单克隆抗体技术制备了AHYT—1和AHl05012株嗜水气单胞菌的菌体单抗，筛选出11个能稳定分泌抗嗜水气单胞菌单克隆抗体的细胞株，并对这些单抗进行了特性分析。经单抗类型测定，这些单抗分属IgM、IgG2a2个亚类，且均具有ELISA反应特性，腹水抗体效价在1：10^4—1：10^6，其中单抗4G4、2H4、GH9具有免疫荧光特性。ELISA特异性分析结果表明，4G4、2H4、FA4、GH9、CF2为嗜水气单胞菌血清型特异性单抗，4G4、2H4识别同一种血清型的嗜水气单胞菌分离株，而FA4、GH9、CF2却识别另外一种血清型的嗜水气单胞菌，并且与其他血清型的嗜水气单胞菌、温和气单胞菌以及鳗弧菌、爱德华氏菌、克鲁氏耶尔森菌、大肠杆菌、荧光假单胞菌均不反应。Western-blot结果表明，单抗4G4、2H4、FA4所针对的抗原是菌体脂多糖(LPS)，且它们所识别的LPS抗原表位不同。菌体单抗研究结果表明，4G4、2H4和GH93株单抗可应用于嗜水气单胞菌的诊断和血清分型。本研究目的旨为建立一种快速诊断鱼类嗜水气单胞菌病的方法和血清分型方法。     

豫北地区主要淡水鱼类感染嗜水气单胞菌的流行病学调查

对豫北地区嗜水气单胞菌引起的细菌性败血病进行流行病学调查,分离鉴定致病性嗜水气单胞菌菌株,并对致病性嗜水气单胞菌菌株进行毒力验证和药敏试验。采集4个养殖场病鱼标本及水样,每月进行流行病学调查,利用生理生化及分子生物学方法检测嗜水气单胞菌的分布状况。结果显示,筛选出52株为嗜水气单胞菌,其中32株为致病性嗜水气单胞菌,20株为非致病性嗜水气单胞菌,且致病性嗜水气单胞菌主要分布在7—9月份,毒力验证试验表明,32株致病性菌株的毒力大小差异明显,筛选出强毒株XDMG(4),为后期试验的疫苗株做准备;药敏试验表明,不同菌株对同一种药物的药敏结果不同,但大部分药物的药敏结果基本一致,70%以上的致病性菌株对头孢哌酮、氟本尼考、菌必治、阿米卡星等抗菌药物表现为高度敏感,对青霉素类药物表现为高度耐药性,耐药率达100%,对氨基糖苷类(不包括阿米卡星)、磺胺类、四环素等药物呈现不同程度的耐药性,具有多重耐药性。本试验旨在丰富本地区的鱼类细菌性败血病的病原资料,并为该菌引起的人类疾病的防控提供科学依据。     

虹鳟源嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)分离及16SrRNA基因鉴定

从发病虹鳟(Oncorhynchus mykiss)肾脏组织中分离到了1株优势菌HZS-01,将分离纯化的菌株进行形态、生理生化特征研究和16S rRNA基因鉴定分析。结果显示,HZS-01株菌的形态和生理生化反应结果符合嗜水气单胞菌(Aeromonas hydrophila)的特征。16S rRNA基因序列分析结果显示,分离菌株在系统发育树上与嗜水气单胞菌(A.hydrophila)属同一分支,同源性达99%以上。综合菌株HZS-01的形态学特征和16S rRNA基因分析结果,将其鉴定为嗜水气单胞菌。药敏试验结果表明,分离菌株对强力霉素、诺氟沙星、左氧氟沙星、新生霉素、阿奇霉素敏感度高,对生产用药预防和治疗有实际指导意义。     

饲料蛋白对翘嘴红鲌蛋白质周转代谢的影响

选择健康的翘嘴红(体重12.84±0.60g)为试验鱼,以红鱼粉为蛋白源,配制5个蛋白水平(31.04%、35.51%、40.89%4、6.62%、50.33%)的等能、等必需氨基酸(EAA)平衡关联度的半精制饲料;又以豆粕替代鱼粉,大豆蛋白分别替代0、13.5%、27%、40.5%、54%的鱼粉蛋白,配制5个EAA关联度的等蛋白(40%)、等能(20MJ.kg-1)的半精制饲料,探讨饲料蛋白水平和大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白的替代对翘嘴红肌肉和肝胰脏蛋白质周转代谢的影响。8周饲养结果表明,饲料蛋白水平对翘嘴红的特定增重率(SGR)具有显著性影响(P<0.05),40.89%饲料蛋白组的SGR显著高于31.04%、35.51%饲料蛋白组(P<0.05),但与46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组没有显著性差异(P>0.05);饲料蛋白水平对白肌、肝胰脏蛋白质生长率具有相似的影响,40.89%饲料蛋白组的白肌、肝胰脏蛋白质生长率分别达到2.13%.d-1,显著高于31.04%和35.51%两组(P<0.05),但与46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。饲料蛋白水平的增加促进了翘嘴红的生长和蛋白质的合成。肌肉蛋白质合成率(Ks)、蛋白质降解率(Kd)随饲料蛋白水平的增加而增加(P<0.05),肌肉蛋白质的增加归因于蛋白质合成的增加较降解的增加更占优势,蛋白质的沉积率在适宜蛋白水平时最高。当大豆蛋白分别替代13.5%2、7.0%4、0.5%的鱼粉蛋白时,翘嘴红的SGR与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),而且都显著高于54.0%替代组(P<0.05)。白肌蛋白质生长率(Kg)也显著受到大豆蛋白替代的影响(P<0.01),当饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量为40.5%时,与对照组相比,Kg极显著下降(P<0.01)。随着饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量的增加,白肌Ks随之降低,当饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量达54%时,与对照组相比,肌肉Ks显著下降(P<0.05)。白肌Kd与白肌Ks的变化趋势相似(P<0.1),而PDE没有受到饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代的影响(P>0.05)。可见随着大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量的提高,氨基酸平衡关联度逐渐降低,蛋白质合成逐渐降低(P<0.05),生长下降,饲料必须氨基酸平衡程度的变化没有改变蛋白质的沉积效率。     

翘嘴红鲌对饲料蛋白的营养需求及豆粕对鱼粉的适宜替代量

选择健康的翘嘴红(Erythroculter ilishaeformisBleeker)为实验鱼,体质量(12.84±0.60)g。实验分为两部分进行。实验Ⅰ以褐鱼粉为蛋白源,配制5个蛋白水平(31.04%、35.51%、40.89%、46.62%、50.33%)的等能、等必需氨基酸(EAA)平衡关联度的半精制饲料,探讨翘嘴红对饲料蛋白的需求;经过8周饲养,实验Ⅰ的结果表明,饲料蛋白含量对翘嘴红的增重率、饲料效率和蛋白效率具有显著影响。方差分析表明,40.89%饲料蛋白组的鱼体增重率显著高于31.04%、35.51%饲料蛋白组(P<0.05),但是与46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组没有显著性差异(P>0.05);31.04%3、5.51%和40.89%饲料蛋白组的蛋白效率显著高于46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组(P<0.05);40.89%、46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组的饲料效率显著高于31.04%和35.51%饲料蛋白组(P<0.05)。依据折线模型分析翘嘴红的增重率、二次多项式回归分析蛋白质效率,适宜饲料蛋白水平为37.43%~41.15%。实验Ⅱ以豆粕替代鱼粉,大豆蛋白分别替代0.0%、13.5%、27%、40.5%和54%的鱼粉蛋白,配制5个EAA关联度的等蛋白(40%)、等能(20 MJ.kg-1)的半精制饲料,探讨翘嘴红饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白的适宜替代量。结果表明,当大豆蛋白分别替代13.5%2、7.0%和40.5%的鱼粉蛋白时,翘嘴红的增重率和蛋白效率与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),而且都显著高于54.0%替代组(P<0.05),因此,本实验条件下,大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白的最大替代量为40.5%,饲料动、植物蛋白适宜比为3∶2。     

几种处理对三叶草叶蛋白提取率及蛋白质质量分数的影响

选用三叶草为试验材料,通过单因素试验设计,探讨料液比、加盐量、不同pH值和絮凝温度4个因素对三叶草叶蛋白提取率及蛋白质质量分数的影响。以叶蛋白提取率、蛋白质量分数为指标,以期获得三叶草叶蛋白提取基础参数。试验表明,料水比1:3、加盐量4%、pH值4.0、絮凝温度80℃时三叶草的叶蛋白提取率最高。     

Soybean protein concentrate as a protein source for turbot Scophthalmus maximus L.

In the first of two experiments, the effect of a gradual substitution of dietary fish meal with soybean protein concentrate (SPC) on growth, feed consumption and protein digestibility was examined in 13 g turbot Scophthalmus maximus. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (50% protein and 22 kJ g^?1) containing SPC at protein replacement levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% were offered by hand twice daily. Growth rates of fish fed diets with zero and 25% replacement were not significantly different, with SGRs of 2.47 and 2.28, respectively. At higher replacement levels, growth rates decreased significantly with SGRs of 2.00, 1.33 and 0.68, respectively. Feed conversion ratios increased with soya replacement, with values of 0.68, 0.75, 0.89, 1.27 and 2.32, respectively, although there was no significant difference between the first two. Feed consumption rates remained constant up to 50% replacement, above which they decreased significantly, possibly because of reduced diet palatability. Apparent protein digestibility (APD) was not affected by the incorporation of SPC and ranged from 82.8 to 87.5%. Results suggest that protein catabolism increases in SPC‐rich diets, possibly because of rapid assimilation and utilization of the methionine supplement. In the second experiment, the importance of amino acid supplements and the beneficial effects of protecting these, either by coating them in protein or incorporating them in a protein–lipid emulsion, was investigated. Growth data provided some indication that the utilization of SPC may be improved by incorporating the methionine and lysine supplement in a protein–lipid emulsion prior to diet preparation, although this finding was not found to be statistically significant (0.1 < P < 0.2).     

Fast growth, protein turnover and costs of protein metabolism in yolk-sac larvae of the African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

In fish larvae the costs of rapid growth may be accommodated by a decrease in the rate of protein turnover or by a reduction in the costs of protein synthesis. Protein growth, synthesis and degradation were measured in yolk-sac larvae of Clarias gariepinus and the costs of protein synthesis and protein growth were estimated. Growth rates were over 100% protein weight day^-1. Protein synthesis retention efficiency (retained protein per unit of synthesis) was estimated to be 69.6%, a value comparable to that of larger fish. The larvae used 43% of their oxygen consumption for protein synthesis. Nevertheless, protein synthesis costs were close to theoretical minima. Therefore, the high growth rates of catfish yolk-sac larvae seem to be possible through minimisation of the costs of protein synthesis. These low costs are associated with high rates of protein synthesis (138%protein weight day^-1), and elevated RNA concentrations (107 µg RNA mg^-1protein), which together suggest very high RNA efficiencies (12.9 g protein synthesized g^-1RNA day^-1).     

WSSV envelope protein VP51B links structural protein complexes and may mediate virus infection

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV), an enveloped double‐stranded DNA virus, is the causative agent of a disease that has led to severe mortalities of cultured shrimps in Taiwan and many other countries. In the previous study, Penaeus monodon chitin‐binding protein (CBP) and glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), two cell membrane proteins, were found to at least interact with other 10 WSSV envelope proteins including VP51B. These envelope proteins might form a protein complex. According to the known information, VP51B was used to identify its role in the protein complex. Western blotting of the intact viral particles and fractionation of the viral components confirmed that VP51B is one of WSSV envelope proteins. In this study, the protein–protein interaction between VP51B and other WSSV envelope proteins was identified by far‐western blot experiment and VP51B was found to interact with VP24, VP31, VP32, VP39B and VP41A. Furthermore, the in vivo neutralization experiment using recombinant VP51B plus with VP39B showed the best inhibition. These data indicate that VP51B participates in the WSSV protein complex and plays an important role in WSSV infection.     

饲料蛋白质水平对拉萨裸裂尻鱼幼鱼肌肉氨基酸及蛋白质代谢的影响

本实验旨在探索饲料蛋白质水平对拉萨裸裂尻鱼(Schizopygopsis younghusbandi Regan)幼鱼肌肉氨基酸及蛋白质代谢的影响。选用初始体重为(22.42±0.56) g 的拉萨裸裂尻鱼 540 尾,随机分成 6 组,每组 3 个重复,每个重复30 尾鱼,分别投喂蛋白质水平为 20%、25%、30%、35%、40%、45%的实验饲料,养殖时间为 60 d。结果表明:随着饲料蛋白水平的增加,拉萨裸裂尻鱼氮摄入量(NI)和绝对氮摄入量(ANI)均呈逐渐升高的变化趋势。氮沉积(ND)、蛋白质效率(PER)、净蛋白质利用率(NPU)均呈先升高后降低的变化趋势。肌肉总必需氨基酸(TEAA)、总呈味氨基酸(TFAA)、总非必须氨基酸(TNEAA)、总氨基酸(TAA)随饲料蛋白的升高呈先升高后趋于稳定的变化趋势。饲料蛋白水平超过 30%后,血氨(ammonia)、尿素氮(urea)、白蛋白(ALB)显著升高。总蛋白(TP)在饲料蛋白低于 35%时呈逐渐升高的变化趋势。拉萨裸裂尻鱼肝脏谷丙转氨酶 ALT、谷草转氨酶 AST 均呈先升高后趋于稳定的变化趋势,血清 ALT呈先降低后升高的变化趋势,血清 AST在饲料蛋白含量高于 35%后显著升高。综合考虑饲料蛋白利用率、血液总蛋白含量、肝脏及血清转氨酶活性,建议拉萨裸裂尻鱼饲料蛋白含量为 30%~35%。     

胭脂鱼幼鱼饲料中适宜的蛋白质含量和能量蛋白比的研究

以酪蛋白作为蛋白源,植物油作为脂肪能量基础来源,用糊精调节能量梯度。添加等量α-淀粉、复合预混料,用羧甲基纤维素（CMC）作为粘合剂,配制成不同梯度的蛋白质和能量的试验饲料。以增重率、蛋白质效率和饲料系数为评判依据,对体重为25.80±0.34g的胭脂鱼适宜蛋白质含量及其能量蛋白比进行了研究。结果表明：胭脂鱼幼鱼配合饲料中的适宜蛋白质含量范围为40～45,饲料的最佳能量蛋白比为460。当试验饲料蛋白质含量为41.15,能量蛋白比为460时,试验胭脂鱼获得最大增重率为73,最低的饲料系数为1.52,以及最高的蛋白质效率为1.65。     

The interactive effects of dietary protein and energy on feed intake, growth and protein utilization of juvenile mulloway (Argyrosomus japonicus)

The objectives of this study were to describe the interactive effects of varying digestible protein (DP) and digestible energy (DE) contents on the feed intake, growth, protein utilization and whole body composition of juvenile mulloway ( Argyrosomus japonicus ) and to determine the optimal DP : DE ratio for growth. This was achieved by feeding mulloway diets containing one of four different DP levels (250–550 g kg⁻¹) at two DE levels (16 or 21 MJ kg⁻¹). Juvenile mulloway were stocked at each of two different sizes (70 or 200 g) in triplicate groups for each dietary treatment and fed twice daily to apparent satiation over 58 days. The results indicated that feed intake was not governed solely by energy demands but was also dependant on the DP content of the diet. Protein utilization did not improve with diets containing decreasing protein and increasing lipid content indicating that mulloway have a limited capacity to spare DP. Optimal DP content was found to be 444–491 g kg⁻¹ depending on the DE content of the diet and the size of mulloway and is within the range reported for other sciaenid species. The use of formulated diets with 28.6 g of DP MJ DE⁻¹ will achieve optimal growth and protein deposition for 70–275 g mulloway.     

Comparative evaluation of dietary protein levels and plant–animal protein ratios in Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

The effects of varying dietary protein level (200, 250, 300 and 350 g protein kg^?1 diet) and plant : animal protein ratio (1 : 2, 1 : 1, 1 : 1.5 and 2 : 1) on growth of juvenile Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man) with approximately 0.27 g initial body weight were evaluated in two separate 30‐days study using practical diets. Significantly lower survival rate was recorded in prawns fed a diet containing 200 g kg^?1 dietary protein (66.67%) whilst 300 and 350 g kg^?1 protein gave the highest survival (96.67%). Significant differences (P < 0.05) in feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were recorded among different dietary protein levels. The results of the study showed that highest growth rate and maximum utilization of protein were recorded in prawns fed 300 g kg^?1 dietary protein and further increase in the dietary protein does not have any added advantage. There existed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, weight gain and survival rate among the juveniles of M. rosenbergii fed varying plant–animal protein ratios at 300 g kg^?1 protein. Better‐feed conversion ratio was recorded in diets having a plant to animal protein ratio of 1 : 1 (2.62) followed by 1 : 1.5 (2.66), however there was no significant difference between them (P > 0.05). Based on the present study, it would be possible to replace animal protein by low‐cost plant protein in prawn feed. Better growth performance in juveniles of M. rosenbergii can be achieved by the incorporation of equal proportions of plant and animal protein (A : P = 1) in the diet.