Dietary Probiotic and Enzyme Supplementation Enhances Growth Performance, Digestive Function, and Immune Response in Penaeus vannamei

Abstract

This study assesses the impact of probiotic and enzyme supplementation on the growth, health, digestive enzyme activity, immune response, and nutritional composition of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). As sustainable aquaculture practices become increasingly important, functional feed additives like probiotics and enzymes are considered viable alternatives to antibiotics. The experiment was conducted in controlled indoor conditions using a completely randomized design with four treatments: a control group, a probiotic-phytobiotic supplement (ADX), a multienzyme complex (ZZ), and a combination of both (ADX + ZZ). These additives were incorporated into commercial feed throughout the trial period. Results showed that ZZ and ADX + ZZ improved growth performance, and ADX + ZZ yielded the lowest feed conversion ratio. Digestive enzyme responses were additive-specific: ADX increased protease and amylase activities, whereas ZZ and ADX + ZZ increased lipase activity, with no clear change in cellulase. Survival did not differ among treatments, while immune indices varied, with higher total hemocyte counts in ZZ and higher Prophenoloxidase activity in ADX + ZZ. Whole-body proximate composition and amino acid profiles were improved in supplemented groups, with the highest total amino acids observed in ADX + ZZ. Water quality parameters remained within acceptable limits across all treatments, supporting the environmental compatibility of these additives. Overall, probiotic–enzyme strategies can enhance P. vannamei performance and feed utilization; further work should validate these effects at farm scale and examine long-term and microbiota-mediated responses.