Effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharide on growth, body composition and hepatopancreas histology of Penaeus semisulcatus (de Haan 1844)

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth, body composition and hepatopancreas histology of Penaeus semisulcatus (postlarvae stage 20) were investigated for 48 days. Different dosages of MOS (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 g MOS kg⁻¹) were tested in triplicate groups. Shrimp postlarvae averaging 0.34 ± 0.01 g attained 1.52 ± 0.31, 1.51 ± 0.15, 2.18 ± 0.13, 1.57 ± 0.13-g final weight and 42.7 ± 2.7, 37.3 ± 1.3, 64.0 ± 6.9, 50.7 ± 4.8% survival, respectively. At the end of the study, generally enhanced growth performance and feed conversion ratio were observed in shrimp fed on diet containing 3.0 g kg⁻¹ MOS with the highest final live weight (2.18 ± 0.13 g) and survival rate (64.0 ± 6.9%) after 48 days of feeding. The protein contents in the whole body decreased with increasing rates of dietary MOS (P < 0.05). Different levels of dietary MOS used in this study showed no detrimental effects on hepatopancreas tissue judged by histological screening. In conclusion, 3.0 g kg⁻¹ MOS could be used as a healthy growth promoter in shrimp diets.