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Abstract. Some common issues in shrimp culture include slow growth and diseases outbreaks. Aloe vera contains polysaccharides, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and proteases that can improve the immune and growth of shrimp. The shrimp immune system is reflected in phagocytic activity. This study analyzed the effect of the addition of A. vera powder to shrimp feed on the phagocytic activity and absolute biomass gain of white leg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. This experimental study was performed using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments with 3 replications. The test animals were L. vannamei (PL21), while the feed was supplemented with A. vera powder with different doses: 0 g kg-1 of feed (A), 20 g kg-1 feed (B), 40 g kg-1 feed (C), and 60 g kg-1 of feed (D). Parameters being observed included the phagocytic activity, absolute biomass gain, and survival rate (SR). This study was performed in 40 days. The results showed that treatment D produced the highest phagocytic activity and absolute biomass gain compared to other treatments. The highest phagocytic activity reached 68% and the absolute average biomass gain was 11.73 g. The survival rate of L. vannamei in all treatments was 100%.
Key Words: active ingredients, biomass, immune response, phagocytosis, white leg shrimp.
Introduction. White leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is a very important commodity with high economic value in the global market. By March 2021, the average global L. vannamei export reached almost 2000 million USD (FAO 2021). However, constraints in the shrimp culture, including slow growth and disease outbreak often cause high shrimp mortality. The immune system of the shrimp relies on the innate or non-specific immune system, which generally sources from the hemocyte cells (Johansson et al 2000). Hemocytes play roles in phagocytic activity, which is an important process for eliminating harmful microorganisms or foreign particles, as well as in the melanization and encapsulation, which are important in Penaeid shrimp immune system activities (AguirreGuzman et al 2009). Increased phagocytic activity indicates an activation in the immune system of the shrimp. Setyawan et al (2021) stated that an increase in phagocytosis up to 98% after adding sodium alginate from Sargassum as a supplement indicates an increase in non-specific immune response.
Additional natural ingredients, such as Aloe vera containing active...