Date: 24/02/2025

Proper nutrition is essential for the healthy growth and productive performance of shrimp, especially in an industry increasingly focused on sustainable practices. Factors such as protein requirements, digestible energy, and the presence of specific minerals are crucial to maximizing the potential of these species. Additionally, modern solutions are helping aquaculture by improving efficiency and reducing environmental impact. In this article, we explore the nutritional requirements of shrimp and how BioActio can be a high-performance solution for sustainable and profitable production.

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The importance of strategic nutrition for efficient shrimp farming

Shrimp farming in captivity is a well-established practice in Brazil and plays a crucial role in supplying both the domestic and international markets. In 2020, the Northeast region accounted for 99.6% of national production, with Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará standing out as the leading producing states.

This production serves both domestic and international markets, with the United States, China, and Hong Kong being the primary destinations for Brazilian shrimp exports.

To meet this growing demand and ensure the competitiveness of Brazilian shrimp, strategic nutrition plays an essential role. By adjusting feed formulations to the specific needs of each growth phase, producers can optimize shrimp performance, reduce mortality rates, and minimize costs.

For successful production, selecting high-quality ingredients is essential to maintain a balanced digestive system in shrimp, improving nutrient absorption and strengthening immunity against common diseases in intensive farming. One of the most critical threats is White Spot Syndrome, which has previously caused a drastic reduction in shrimp production in Santa Catarina, in the far south of Brazil. Between 2004 and 2009, production dropped from 4,189 tons to just 172 tons, affecting most farms (Costa, 2010).

Nutritional requirements for shrimp development

The nutritional needs of shrimp vary significantly throughout their growth stages, making it essential to adapt their diet to ensure healthy and efficient development.

During the larval stage, the diet is highly specific, consisting of microalgae and live organisms rich in essential nutrients such as proteins and fatty acids. This phase is crucial for initial growth and survival in a controlled environment.

In the post-larval stage, the nutritional focus shifts to formulated feeds with higher protein content, as well as balanced amino acids and lipids, which help optimize structural growth and feed efficiency. These nutrients are essential for a successful transition to grow-out tanks. Studies show that diets containing 40-45% protein at this stage promote uniform growth and greater resistance to environmental conditions.

As shrimp reach adulthood, the focus turns to weight maintenance and harvest preparation, making it crucial to balance the diet to prevent excesses or nutritional deficiencies that could impact final yield quality.

For this reason, functional formulations include hydrolyzed proteins and prebiotics, which enhance digestibility and nutrient optimization, ensuring a more efficient diet and reducing nutrient loss.

Proteins, amino acids, and vitamins for metabolism and immunity

Diets with high-quality protein sources, adjusted to the specific needs of each stage, are essential for achieving optimal zootechnical performance. In this regard, proteins, amino acids, and vitamins play fundamental roles in shrimp metabolism and immunity, especially in intensive farming systems.

Proteins make up up to 70% of the dry weight of shrimp, serving as building blocks for growth, tissue repair, and enzymatic and hormonal functions (Cuzon et al., 2004).

Essential amino acids, such as lysine, methionine, and threonine, are critical for healthy growth and immune response. Additionally, adequate levels of lipids and fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, help stabilize cell membranes and facilitate the transport of fat-soluble vitamins, like A, D, and E, which are indispensable for health and reproduction.

Vitamins and minerals, though required in small amounts, are crucial for metabolic and structural processes. Macrominerals like calcium and phosphorus contribute to body formation, while microminerals, such as zinc and copper, play essential roles in enzymatic systems (Świątkiewicz et al., 2014). Studies indicate that adequate supplementation of these nutrients enhances immunity and reduces physical deformities in farming systems (WYK, 1999).

By balancing these nutrients in diet formulations, it is possible to improve feed efficiency and reduce metabolic stress, promoting uniform growth and increased resistance to environmental challenges.

How feed quality influences feed conversion efficiency

Feed quality is one of the key factors determining success in shrimp farming, as nutritionally balanced diets play an essential role in maximizing zootechnical performance and optimizing feed conversion (Nunes et al., 2011; Soares et al., 2018).

Among the critical components of shrimp feed is protein, which serves as the foundation for growth and tissue repair. While fish meal is widely recognized as an excellent protein source due to its high digestibility and nutritional balance, its limited availability and high cost highlight the need for viable and sustainable alternatives (FAO, 2018).

Beyond composition, ingredient digestibility is a crucial factor in ensuring optimal nutrient utilization. Ingredients must be highly digestible and offer good palatability to maximize feed efficiency.

The introduction of new protein sources and continuous research on alternative ingredients are essential for maintaining economic and environmental sustainability in shrimp production. In this context, high-digestibility ingredients, such as the BioActio line from BRF Ingredients, help provide essential proteins and amino acids, contributing to animal health and productivity.

Economic and biological consequences of nutritional deficiencies or excesses

When shrimp diets fail to meet their nutritional needs, the impacts can be significant at multiple levels. Nutritional deficiencies can impair growth, increase mortality rates, and compromise metabolic and immune functions, while excess nutrients lead to waste and higher operational costs.

From a biological perspective, insufficient levels of proteins, amino acids, and essential minerals can result in physical deformities, stunted growth, and greater susceptibility to diseases. For instance, low calcium and phosphorus levels can impair shell formation, while a vitamin C deficiency is associated with immune system issues and higher mortality rates.

On the other hand, excess protein, if not efficiently digested, can overload the metabolic system, leading to nitrogen waste, which deteriorates water quality in farming systems.

From an economic standpoint, errors in diet formulation can result in considerable financial losses for shrimp farmers. Studies indicate that feed costs can account for up to 60% of operational expenses in shrimp farming (CHAMBERLAIN, 2004; PONTES; ARRUDA, 2005).

Thus, an unbalanced diet increases feed costs and reduces feed efficiency, prolonging the production cycle and decreasing profitability. Additionally, excess nutrients in poorly formulated feeds contribute to higher organic load in the farming environment, requiring additional investments in water management and treatment.

BioActio - Hydrolyzed Protein as a solution for greater efficiency and sustainability in aquaculture

The introduction of technologies and innovative solutions in aquaculture has transformed the way producers meet the nutritional requirements of shrimp. In this context, BRF Ingredients has developed BioActio - Health & Performance.

Incorporating BioActio into shrimp diets provides significant benefits, such as increased survival rates in challenging environments, improved feed conversion efficiency, and enhanced weight gain. Studies conducted in partnership with Can Tho University (Vietnam), Faculty of Aquaculture and Fisheries (2020) indicate that the inclusion of this ingredient can increase the final weight of crustaceans by 4% and improve productivity rates by 6%, directly impacting the profitability of shrimp farming.

In addition, BioActio offers environmental benefits, such as a 11% reduction in ammonia nitrogen levels in the aquatic environment. This contributes to better water quality and helps maintain ecosystem balance, which is essential for sustainable aquaculture. This reduction is linked to BioActio’s high digestibility, with an apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) above 92%, ensuring efficient protein utilization by shrimp.

Developed by BRF Ingredients, BioActio - Health & Performance is a cutting-edge solution tailored to the aquaculture market, combining high nutritional performance with environmental responsibility. Its regular inclusion in diets serves as a strategic tool for producers seeking to enhance animal health, optimize farming processes, and achieve significant economic outcomes.

Final considerations

Strategic nutrition plays a crucial role in aquaculture, particularly in shrimp farming, where every aspect of feed management directly impacts health, performance, and profitability. Ensuring balanced diets that precisely meet the nutritional needs of each developmental stage is essential for consistent results and waste reduction.

As a nutritional solution, the use of functional ingredients with high digestibility, such as BioActio, provides an innovative approach to overcoming industry challenges. By balancing nutritional and environmental aspects, producers can optimize production and implement more responsible practices, strengthening market confidence in their products.

Over the years, continuous advancements in aquaculture solutions have demonstrated the sector’s ability to meet the growing global demand, combining efficiency and sustainability.

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