Effects of noni fruit extract on the growth performance, digestive enzymes, and stress tolerance of juvenile whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Abstract

The effects of noni (Morinda citrifolia) fruit extract supplementation on the growth, survival, digestive enzymes, and stress tolerance of juvenile whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) were investigated. Shrimp were separated into four groups, with each group fed diets containing various concentrations of 0 (Control-T0), 0.5 (T1), 1 (T2), and 1.5% (T3) noni extract over a 56-day period. The results indicate that shrimp fed the T3 diet had the highest final weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, and specific growth rate among all groups. The survival rate and biomass of shrimp showed a significant difference in those groups fed noni-supplemented diets when compared to the control. However, the feed conversion ratio value in the control group was much greater than those of the remaining groups. Amylase activity increased significantly with increasing culture duration and concentrations of noni extract supplementation. In the T3 group, amylase and protease activities exhibited the highest and most significant differences when compared to the control group. Moreover, the T3 group also exhibited a significantly higher survival rate in the challenge tests against low salinity or high ammonia. The results of this study indicate that noni fruit extract could be applied to shrimp feed to enhance growth, survival, and resistance to environmental stresses.