Date: 18/11/2024

Shrimp farming, or aquaculture, is growing as a productive and economic sector. Consequently, there is concern over shrimp health and cultivation standards.

In this context, balanced nutrition is essential to maximize growth, improve health, and ensure survival for these crustaceans.

Thus, this article aims to provide an analysis of the protein requirements of shrimp at each stage of development.

Topics:

The importance of nutrition for shrimp development

Protein is a key nutritional component for shrimp growth and development, essential for processes like muscle synthesis, cellular regeneration, and metabolic performance.

Crustaceans have, on average, a protein demand that ranges from 30 to 55% of their total diet, depending on the cultivation stage and environmental conditions, according to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) guidelines for shrimp nutrition. These percentages reflect the need for precise adjustments in protein intake for each stage, supporting growth without nutrient waste.

Protein requirement by development stage

Each developmental stage of the shrimp has different protein needs. To ensure feeding efficiency and reduce costs, it is essential to adjust the protein content of the diet according to these requirements.

Post-larval stage

Post-larval shrimp (the first 10 to 20 days after hatching) require a high-protein diet (40 to 55%) to support rapid growth and cell differentiation.

In addition to protein quality, high-digestibility ingredients are essential for diet formulation. Ingredients rich in bioactive peptides, for example, provide high protein absorption, facilitating digestion, accelerated development at this stage, and improved immune conditions for the animal.

On the other hand, studies indicate that protein deficiency at this stage compromises growth and survival, directly impacting the efficiency of the subsequent phase.

Thus, a lack of nutritional balance plays a critical role in the healthy development of post-larvae.

Juvenile stage

During the juvenile stage, lasting 25 to 35 days, the protein requirement slightly decreases to around 35 to 40%. While still essential for growth, protein in this phase also plays an immunological role, strengthening juvenile resistance against pathogens.

Thus, a proper balance between protein and lipids during this stage contributes to healthier maintenance and development in juveniles, as well as enhancing their response to potential environmental stressors.

An ingredient rich in bioactive peptides, for example, improves immunity, boosting adaptability to challenging environments with high population density and abiotic factors.

Fattening stage

In the fattening stage, the focus is on feed efficiency with a balanced protein diet between 30 and 35%.

During this phase, which lasts 35 to 45 days, feed conversion rates and weight gain are prioritized to improve final yield. Developing balanced diets contributes to muscle mass increase, essential for maximizing the zootechnical value of shrimp before harvest.

Influence of protein quality on shrimp development

In addition to the previously mentioned protein content, protein quality is crucial for the healthy development of shrimp.

Diets composed of highly digestible proteins with a balanced amino acid profile tend to promote higher feed conversion rates, alongside other benefits such as reduced nitrogen excretion and a strengthened immune system, which is especially important in intensive farming conditions and challenging environments.

BioActio Health & Performance for Shrimp Nutrition

BioActio Health & Performance is BRF Ingredients' highly hydrolyzed chicken protein, rich in bioactive peptides that provide functional benefits.

Studies conducted with partner universities have shown that hydrolyzed chicken protein improves the bioavailability of essential amino acids, leading to less waste and greater growth efficiency, as well as contributing to increased palatability and feed attractiveness.

Additionally, BioActio Health & Performance is produced through a rigorously standardized process using fresh raw materials sourced from BRF's fully integrated supply chain, delivering superior performance when incorporated into animal diets.

With a minimum digestibility of 90% (digestibility in pepsin 0.0002%), hydrolyzed chicken protein ensures the body can absorb the majority of its nutritional components. Furthermore, its high crude protein content, ranging between 75% and 81%, strengthens its role as a protein source essential for the development and maintenance of muscular structure.

In addition, the low mineral content, capped at a maximum of 6%, offers numerous benefits for those seeking high protein density with lower mineral intake, promoting a diet centered on high-quality, easily digestible proteins.

A study conducted in partnership with a university showed that shrimp fed a diet with BioActio Health & Performance had higher survival rates when challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Moreover, feed supplemented with BioActio Health & Performance helped maintain high salinity, enhancing the quality of the cultivation environment.

Water quality improvement

In intensive aquaculture, the quality of feed inputs plays a fundamental role in the effectiveness of the system and in the environmental health of ponds. Managing nutritionally balanced diets, alongside appropriate stocking density and strict control of feed quantity, are crucial aspects.

Feed quality is determined by various technical factors, such as feed processing, nutritional formulation, and ingredient selection.

Pelletized or extruded feeds offer greater physical stability, reducing disintegration and dissolution in water, which minimizes losses and contributes to lower organic load in the aquatic environment.

High-digestibility protein ingredients with low phosphorus content are preferred as they reduce nitrogen excretion, promoting a more sustainable pond environment and reducing the risk of environmental impacts associated with nitrogen and phosphorus.

Final considerations

Proper feeding that meets the protein and nutritional requirements at each stage of shrimp development not only supports the growth and survival of these crustaceans but also contributes to more resilient oceans, offering a more sustainable solution in shrimp farming by minimizing the environmental impact of aquaculture.

Thus, the use of solutions like BioActio represents a significant advancement in aquaculture nutrition, showcasing the biotechnological innovation of hydrolyzed chicken protein as an efficient source.

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