Fish is a staple food for people, and ensuring its freshness is crucial for the industry. Various parameters, including fish eye characteristics, gill features, and fish fins, are commonly used to distinguish fish quality. In this study, we propose a novel method to assess fish freshness using fish eye images. Initially, data augmentation is employed to increase the effective size of the training dataset, enhancing robustness to variations, balancing class distributions, and reducing overfitting. In the proposed method, we utilized three convolutional neural networks: Inception-v3, VGG16, and MobileNetV3, to detect fish spoilage. We made slight structural modifications to each of these networks to enhance their performance in detecting fish freshness. In addition, we extracted feature vectors from the global average pooling layer of each network. We then used a Support Vector Machine (SVM) to classify the freshness of the fish. This study utilized the Freshness of Fish Eyes (FFE) dataset, which includes 8 species of fish at 3 levels of freshness. The proposed method, using Inception-v3 and the SVM classifier, achieved an accuracy of 81.21%, which is 4% better than the existing method on this dataset. This method provides a significant advancement in fish freshness assessment, offering a more accurate and reliable means of determining fish quality. This can greatly benefit the food industry by ensuring higher standards of freshness, reducing waste, and improving consumer satisfaction. The demonstrated improvement in accuracy highlights the potential of this method to set new benchmarks in fish quality assessment.
A 60-day feeding trial under composite conditions was conducted to compare the effect of three different treatments of a diet containing 55.50% Fishmeal (FM), a diet with 45.50% FM and 10% Spirulina algae (SP), and a diet with 35.50% FM and 20% Leucaena leucocephala powder (LLP) on the growth, feed efficiency, and flesh color of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The analysis results of Duncan's Multiple Range post-hoc test indicated that survival rate (SR), daily weight gain (DWG), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and protein retention (PR) were significantly improved in the diets containing 10% SP and 20% LLP groups compared to the FM only diet (p<0.05). Noticeably, although the FCR in the treatment of 20% LLP was significantly lower than the treatment of 10% SP and FM, the parameters of PER and PR showed significantly higher performance in 20% LPP treatment in comparison with 10% SP and FM only. Coloration assessments by a sensory method showed that, in their raw form, shrimp fed 10% SP exhibited a more greenish hue, followed by those fed 20% LLP, and then the FM. However, in cooked shrimps, the 20% LLP group displayed the most desirable coloration. A 21-day trial with smaller whiteleg shrimp (0.45 g) confirmed that 20% LLP supplementation positively influenced body color compared to 10% SP and FM-only diets. This study shows that partial replacement of FM with plant ingredients improves shrimp color, increases production sustainability, and enhances primary productivity efficiency.
Aquaculture plays a key role in providing nutrition and livelihood security. Rapid intensification has been adopted in aquaculture to increase fish production, often leading to a stressful environment resulting in poor growth, compromised immune functions, and increased susceptibility to infections in fish. The use of synthetic chemicals, hormones, and antibiotics for growth promotion and disease control has resulted in the development of antimicrobial resistance and raised concerns about public health. There is a critical need to explore environmentally friendly alternatives for sustainable aquaculture. Plants contain a wide range of chemical substances and have shown their beneficial effects on fish growth, immunity, and health. Terpenes and terpenoids are among such natural products with a wide array of antimicrobial, growth-promoting, antioxidant, immune-stimulating, and anti-inflammatory effects in human and higher vertebrates. Terpenes are a broad class of natural secondary metabolites found in plants that have the potential to enhance immune systems, combat microbes, and strengthen antioxidant defences, thereby promoting aquatic animal health. While studies have explored the positive effects of compounds such as terpenes, phenolic compounds, saponins, and alkaloids in aquaculture, the utilization of terpenes and their derivatives remains underexplored. This review seeks to consolidate and emphasize the advantageous effects of terpenes and their derivatives on fish health, potentially expanding their use in aquaculture.
The feeding habits of the flying gurnard, Dactylopterus volitans, caught by industrial trawlers operating on the continental shelf of C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire were examined. A total of 1337 specimens, including 351 males and 986 females were collected at the fishing harbour of Abidjan from January 2019 to December 2020. The diet of fish with a size ranging from 60 to 390 mm standard length was described using the prey-specific index of relative importance (%PSIRI), combining occurrence, numerical and weight percentages. The stomach contents revealed that 901 (67.38%) stomachs were empty, whilst 436 (32.62%) were full. The diet was composed of twenty-six prey items including shrimps, teleost fishes, crabs, bivalves, gastropods and cephalopods. Based on the PSIRI (%), the most important prey items were shrimps (41.11 %PSIRI), especially Penaeus notialis (20.10 %PSIRI) and teleost fishes (31.87 %PSIRI). Crabs (19.38 %PSIRI) are considered as secondary preys, whereas the other preys such as cephalopods (4.95 %PSIRI), gastropods (1.38 %PSIRI) and bivalves (1.31 %PSIRI) were incidental preys. The presence of a variety of mobile preys in the stomachs indicates that this species is a carnivorous feeder.
Radix auricularia is a non-native and invasive freshwater snail species and it may have destructive impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem structure. In recent years, snail mucus, as a sticky substance, has garnered significant attention in the medical and cosmetic industries due to its content of numerous bioactive compounds. Despite frequently being discarded as waste due to the build-up of calcium carbonate crystals through biomineralization, shells of freshwater snail serve multiple functions in aquatic environments and have potential industrial applications. Hence, this study aims to identify bioactive compounds in the mucus and analyze the shell microstructure and mineralogy of the European ear snail (Radix auricularia). Bioactive constituents of mucus were characterized by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-FID-MS) analysis. We also conducted analyses on the organic matrix of shells from R. auricularia using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Our results indicated that ten compounds are characterized by Eicosane (34.16%), 9-Octadecen-1-ol, (Z)-(11.86%) and N,N-Dimetylpalmitamide (5.55%) as the main components of mucus. The antioxidant potential, antifungal and antii-nflammatory properties of Eicosane was in notable quantity in the mucus. In addition, the elemental composition of shell powder comprised of carbon, aluminium, oxygen, calcium, iron, magnesium, silicium, manganese, sodium, sulphur and phosphorus. Aragonite emerged as the dominant mineralogy in the inorganic layer of their shells, as confirmed by XRD. Overall, individual compounds of mucus could be isolated and purified mucus compounds could have applications in pharmaceuticals and health sectors. The shells of R. auricularia offer potential for diverse applications and contribute to environmental sustainability as valuable biomaterials.
Shark and ray populations are increasingly threatened, highlighting the need for effective management and conservation. This study aimed to identify hotspot areas for these species in the waters of Kuala Dungun, Malaysia. Monthly onboard observations were carried out on trawl, longline, and fish trap vessels from June 2023 to May 2024. Hotspot analysis was then performed using the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic in QGIS platform. Significant hotspots for Carcharhinus sorrah, Chiloscyllium punctatum, C. hasseltii, Rhynchobatus australiae, and Maculabatis spp. were primarily identified in coastal regions, as well as in proximity to Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) and artificial reefs. The association between hotspots and FADs/artificial reefs suggests these structures may enhance abundance, benefiting both conservation and fisheries productivity. Bamboo shark egg cases were also reported on traps located near FADs. The findings emphasize the importance of habitat protection and the implementation of marine spatial planning to support sustainable management practices.
Fish processing generates substantial amounts of organic waste, particularly from high-value species like sturgeon. Transforming these nutrient-rich wastes into value-added products, such as biosilage and amino acid fertilizers, offers an environmentally friendly solution that aligns with the principles of a circular bioeconomy. This study aimed to produce biosilage from sturgeon waste through microbial fermentation and to evaluate its potential for amino acid fertilizer production. Initially, biosilage was prepared and subjected to quality control through assessments of proximate composition and microbial indices. Molecular identification of the dominant fermentative bacteria using 16S rRNA sequencing revealed the presence of Bacillus cereus (99.5% similarity; Accession No. KP940382.1), as well as lactic acid bacteria, including Lactobacillus plantarum, L. acidophilus, and L. pentosus. The biosilage demonstrated significantly higher levels of protein (67.7%), lipid (14.06%), and ash (11.26%), along with lower moisture content (6.98%) compared to raw waste (p<0.05). Microbial analysis confirmed the safety of the biosilage, showing high levels of lactic acid bacteria (6.48 log CFU/g) and the absence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. After quality control, an amino acid fertilizer was produced from the biosilage. The amino acid profile revealed total and free amino acid contents of 14.02% and 8.08%, respectively, with glutamic acid and leucine being the most abundant. Additionally, elemental analysis showed a balanced nutrient content, including total nitrogen (3.56%), phosphorus (0.81%), potassium (0.34%), and organic matter (17.92%). In conclusion, the stepwise conversion of sturgeon waste into biosilage and amino acid fertilizer represents eco-friendly for waste valorization.
Cyanobacteria are one of the most common and widespread microorganisms that produce cyanophycin granule polypeptide (CGP). This biopolymer could be used to produce CGP-derived dipeptides and as a potential precursor for the synthesis of polyaspartic acid. To extend the applications of this polymer, it is therefore of interest to study its isolation and purification. The present study was undertaken to follow up CGP production by some cyanobacteria isolated from the River Nile, Damietta Branch, Egypt, and to morphologically identify its algal diversity. The results of this study reported that Cyanophytes dominated at AL Zarqa, Faraskur, and Al Adliya meanwhile Chlorophytes and Bacillariophytes dominated at El Serw and Kafr Al Arab. Anabaena anomala, A. cylindrica, A. oryzae, A. variabilis, Nostoc sp., Nostoc punctiforme, Oscillatoria obscura, Spirulina platensis, Synechococcus sp. were identified by microscopic examination. The isolated cyanobacteria produced CGP in different amounts ranging from 0.030 +/- 0.001 g L-1 in Oscillatoria obscura to 0.224 +/- 0.007 g L-1 in Anabaena cylindrica. Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed that CGP produced by Anabaena cylindrica was dark and spherical with irregular parameters bodies. Based on this study, regular monitoring of cyanobacteria and their CGP production is necessary to extend their applications.
Mangrove crab aquaculture is expanding in response to the growing global demand, however, production in the Philippines remains limited due to low survival rates, which are attributed to suboptimal water quality, insufficient nutrition, and disease outbreaks. This study assessed the overall performance of Scylla serrata from zoea to crab instar in various culture media: Biofloc water (BW), green water (GW), and clear water (CW). Survival from zoea 5 to crab instar was highest in GW; however, no significant differences were observed among treatments (p>0.05). Microbial analysis showed significantly higher total heterotrophic bacteria and presumptive Vibrio counts, but significantly lower luminous bacteria, in BW compared with GW and CW (p<0.05). Crabs reared in BW exhibited significantly higher survival after 12 hours of simulated transport and greater tolerance to abrupt low salinity exposure after 12 and 24 hours (p<0.05). Although survival after 24 hours of transport did not differ significantly among treatments, BW consistently maintained the highest mean survival. Overall, BW emerges as a promising alternative culture medium to traditional hatchery protocols, particularly during early larval stages (zoea 1-5). This study provides the first empirical evidence supporting the use of biofloc technology in mangrove crab larval hatchery systems, with the potential to enhance both resilience and sustainability.
A 2 & times;3 factorial design was used to assess the effects of dietary copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) on growth, oxidative stress, and immunity in Beluga sturgeon ( (Huso huso) juveniles fed optimal and high levels of Mintrex (R) copper and selenomethionine. Six experimental diets were formulated with two Cu levels (10 and 50 mg Cu kg(-1)) and three Se levels (5, 11, and 55 mg Se kg(-1)): Cu10Se5, Cu10Se11, Cu10Se55, Cu50Se5, Cu50Se11, and Cu50Se55. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 15 fish (initial weight 13.31 +/- 0.35 g) for 12 weeks. The fish fed with Cu10Se11 diet exhibited the highest weight gain (1092.2 +/- 11.2%), significantly greater than those fed with Cu10Se5 (962.2 +/- 17.3%), Cu10Se55 (928.6 +/- 33.7%), and Cu50Se55 (721.1 +/- 46.6%) diets. The best feed conversion ratio was observed in Cu10Se11 (1.24 +/- 0.05), while the lowest value was in Cu50Se55 (1.81 +/- 0.16). The protein efficiency ratio was significantly high in Cu10Se11 (1.87 +/- 0.02) and low in Cu50Se55 (1.28 +/- 0.16). The hepatic Cu and Se concentrations increased dose-dependently, reaching 38.12 +/- 2.4 mu g g g(-1) and 11.68 +/- 0.8 mu g g(-1), respectively, in Cu50Se55. The lowest thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value was recorded in Cu10Se11 (5.83 +/- 0.56 U mg(-1) protein), while the highest was in Cu50Se55 (11.8 +/- 0.56 U mg(-1) protein). Antioxidant enzyme activities (CAT, GPx, and Cu-Zn SOD) were significantly reduced in Cu50Se55, whereas IgM (46.1 +/- 2.65 & micro;g mL(-1)) and lysozyme (17.7 +/- 0.95 U mL(-1)) values were high in Cu10Se11, but they were markedly suppressed in Cu50Se55 (IgM: 21.4 +/- 1.09 & micro;g mL(-1); lysozyme: 9.9 +/- 0.74 U mL(-1)). Both IgM and lysozyme values were decreased with excess dietary Cu and Se and were negatively correlated with TBARS. These findings indicate that Cu10Se11, containing 10 mg kg(-1)Cu and 11 mg kg(-1) Se, optimally enhances growth, reduces oxidative stress, and strengthens immunity in Beluga juveniles, while excessive Cu and Se intake impairs antioxidant capacity and immune functions.
This study investigated the effects of whey powder (WP), used as a nutrient medium, on the biomass production, biochemical composition, and pigment content of Haematococcus pluvialis and Scenedesmus sp. The experimental design was set up with four groups and all groups had three replicates. The control group (C) contained only Bold Basal Medium with 3-fold nitrogen and vitamins (3N-BBM+V) without WP. The second experimental group was formulated as 3N-BBM+V with 5 g L-1 WP (W5), the third group as 3N-BBM+V with 10 g L-1 WP (W10), and the fourth group as 3N-BBM+V with 15 g L-1 WP (W15). In this study, the highest mean biomass was obtained as 0.88 g L-1 for H. pluvialis (WP10) and 0.45 g L-1 for Scenedesmus sp. (WP15). The maximum total lipid productivities of H. pluvialis and Scenedesmus sp. were recorded as 43% (w/w, dry weight) in the WP5 group and 66% (w/w, dry weight) in the WP10 group, respectively. Under mixotrophic conditions, the highest protein contents were obtained in WP10 for H. pluvialis (20.94 mg mL(-1)) and in WP15 for Scenedesmus sp. (44.94 mg mL(-1)). Astaxanthin, carotenoid and phycocyanin productivity of H. pluvialis and Scenedesmus sp. was highly determined under mixotrophic conditions. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the supplementation of the culture medium with whey powder significantly enhances both biomass production and biochemical composition. Therefore, whey powder can be recommended as an effective supplementary nutrient source for the cultivation of these microalgae.
Lycopene is a major carotenoid pigment recognized for its potent antioxidant properties and its role as an essential micronutrient in aquafeeds, contributing to enhanced antioxidant activity, immune response, and feed efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of dietary lycopene supplementation on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and digestive enzyme activities in the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). A total of 225 prawns with an average initial weight of 1.40 +/- 0.07 g were fed five formulated diets containing 0 (control), 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg(-1 )lycopene for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, hepatopancreas and intestinal tissues were collected for the analysis of growth performance, antioxidant indicators, and digestive enzyme activities using standard biochemical kits and spectrophotometric methods. The results showed that lycopene supplementation significantly improved growth performance and total antioxidant capacity, while the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde were significantly reduced compared with the control group (p<0.05). Digestive enzyme activities were also influenced by lycopene levels, with the highest activities observed in prawns fed 200 mg kg(-1 ) lycopene and the lowest in the control group (p<0.05). Overall, these findings suggest that a dietary inclusion of 200 mg kg(-1 ) lycopene is optimal for enhancing antioxidant status and digestive enzyme activity in M. nipponense
In the fish feed industry, fishmeal (FM) is highly valuable for its excellent combination of essential amino acids and fatty acids. However, due to its high cost and low availability, researchers are focusing on alternative sustainable plant-based protein sources. However, phytate, a major phosphorus-rich compound in plants, has a chelating effect that significantly reduces the absorption and bioavailability of essential nutrients, leading to nutritional imbalances. Adding phytase enzyme (PHY) in aqua feed improves the digestibility of minerals and reduces their excretion. Therefore, this study assessed the impact of PHY supplementation on hematological indices and mineral digestibility in Catla catla when fed different plant protein-based diets for FM replacement such as Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM), sunflower meal (SFM), canola meal (CM), guar meal (GM). Nine test diets were formulated: a control diet without PHY, and eight experimental diets with PHY added at 250 or 500 FTU/kg. The results revealed that the addition of 500 FTU/kg of PHY to a 50% MOLM significantly enhances the digestibility of minerals like P, Mg, Al, Na, K, Cu, and Zn, when compared to control and other test levels. In terms of blood indices, this supplementation increased the values of RBCs (3.18 & times;10(6)mm(-3)), Hb (8.68 g/100 ml), PCV (30.07 %) and WBCs (8.20 & times;10(3)mm(-3)) count as well as serum liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (0.93 U/L) and aspartate aminotransferase (3.11 U/L). The results indicated that the most effective combination was a diet (T-3) containing 50% MOLM and 500 FTU kg(-1) PHY, which yielded optimal hematological and mineral profiles. Conclusively, this study shows that PHY-supplemented plant-based fish diets reduce the need for mineral supplements, lowering feed costs and environmental impact.
The production of aquatic animals and plants in an aquaponic system helps conserve water and soil while aligning with environmental sustainability and food security initiatives, as it eliminates the need for agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. This study investigates the quality of red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) and various medicinal plants, including peppermint (Mentha piperita), common mint (Mentha sativa), oregano (Mentha pulegium), green and purple basil (Ocimum basilicum), miniature basil (Ocimum basilicum minimum), and fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), cultivated in an aquaponic system. In this system, which operated at water salinity levels of 1.1 +/- 0.1 ppt, fish production reached 53.3 kg/m3 over a seven-month breeding period. The plant production ranged from 0.64 to 2.30 kg/m2 monthly. The analyzed plants had iron levels ranging from 12.3 to 34.1 mg/100g, calcium levels between 1.3 and 24.6 mg/100g, and potassium levels from 3.3 to 30 mg/100g. Proline and chlorophyll concentrations were measured at 0.44-3.70 mg/g and 2.49-5.10 mg/g, respectively. Nitrite concentrations were found to be between 0.9 and 2.8 mg/kg, while nitrate levels ranged from 56.6 to 805.3 mg/kg of fresh plant weight, both significantly lower than permissible thresholds. The total essential oil percentage in the examined medicinal plants ranged from 0.11% to 0.82%, indicating the presence of beneficial compounds. Overall, aquaponic production can play a significant role in contributing to the development of healthy food products in both the agriculture and aquaculture sectors.
The current checklist documents species diversity of the order Carangiformes across major regions of the Northwest Indian Ocean (NIO) including the marine waters of the Persian Gulf, Sea of Oman/Oman Sea, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. A total of 168 species, belonging to 72 genera and 16 families have been documented. The most diverse family is Carangidae (60 species, 36%), followed by Bothidae (24 species, 14%), Cynoglossidae and Soleidae (each family with 19 species, 11%). During the past decade, only two new valid species Cynoglossus crepida and Cynoglossus glotta have been described from the region. According to the IUCN red list, most of the reported species (110 species, 65%) are classified as least concern (LC). Additionally, 31 species, (18%) are listed as Data Deficient (DD), 23 species (14%) as Not Evaluated (NE), while three species (Trachurus indicus, Trachurus trachurus and Makaira nigricans) as vulnerable (VU). Kajikia audax is asssessed as Near Threatened (NT). Further research and collection efforts will likely reveal more species in this area.
Proliferative kidney disease (PKD), caused by Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae, is a major challenge in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture. To better understand the host response at the molecular level, eight microarray datasets from erythrocytes of healthy and infected fish (GSE198859) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using the GEO2R tool. The results revealed that upregulated genes such as SNRPE, miR-301b, TNFRSF10B, Bckdha, and Aqp1 are associated with RNA processing, post-transcriptional regulation, osmoregulation, energy metabolism, and apoptosis, highlighting their essential roles in compensatory responses to kidney damage. Conversely, downregulated genes including Degs1, Flt1, BATF3, and RALY suggested suppression of angiogenesis, inhibition of dendritic cell responses, disruption of immune signaling, and impairment of lipid metabolism and RNA processing, which may represent part of the parasite's strategy to evade host immunity. GO analysis showed significant enrichment in cellular components such as the nucleus, nucleosome, plasma membrane, exosomes, and extracellular regions. In parallel, molecular functions related to kinase activity and protein binding emphasized the importance of signaling and intercellular communication during infection. Overall, these findings suggest that the rainbow trout response to PKD involves a combination of activated defense pathways and simultaneous suppression of some critical immune components by the parasite, which contributes to its survival. The identified genes and pathways may serve as potential molecular markers and support future efforts in selective breeding to improve resistance against PKD.
Zooplankton are among the most important microscopic animals in aquatic ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining water quality and serving as a vital link in the food chain. Water quality parameters play a crucial role in regulating the abundance and diversity of zooplankton. This study was conducted over a period of three months at three different locations within the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (RBS), Karnataka, India, to assess the diversity and abundance of zooplankton. Key physicochemical parameters including water and atmospheric temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, total dissolved solids, carbon dioxide, biological oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, phosphate, and nitrite were analyzed. The zooplankton community was represented by four major taxa: Copepoda, Cladocera, Rotifera, and Ostracoda, comprising a total of 34 species. The analysis revealed a total of 34 zooplankton species across all sampling sites. Among these, Cladocera emerged as the dominant and most species-rich taxon, represented by 14 species, followed by Copepoda (10 species), Rotifera (8 species), and Ostracoda (2 species). The present study contributes to understanding zooplankton diversity and abundance in relation to physicochemical parameters of surface water across the islands of Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (RBS), highlighting the influence of environmental factors on community structure.
The current study investigated the effects of different pellet binders on the pellet quality, growth performance, hemolymph biochemistry, and intestinal morphology of whiteleg shrimp for 3 months. The shrimp were randomly assigned to four dietary groups (three replicates/ group) in a polyethylene circular tank containing seawater. Experimental treatments included, the control group fed with the basal diet (BD) (G1, no pellet binder), and G2, G3, and G4 received the BD containing different pellet binders, including calcium lignosulphonate (at 1 % of diet), starch + gum based-binder (at 0.4 % of diet), and polymethyl carbamide (PMC) (at 0.5 % of diet), respectively. Different binders improved the pellet quality parameters, including water stability, leaching rate (p >= 0.05), and water activity (p <= 0.05), with a particularly pronounced improvement effect in the PMC-bound pellets. No differences (p >= 0.05) were found in shrimp growth and feed efficiency utilization, whole body composition of nutrients, and digestive enzyme activities in response to the different pellet binders. The diets processed with starch+ gum, as well as lignosulfonate binders, resulted in higher glucose levels in shrimp hemolymph. Feeding shrimp with pellet binders significantly reduced hemolymph concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-and low-density lipoproteins, and very low-density lipoprotein, with the most pronounced reductions occurring in the PMC and starch + gum-based binder groups (p <= 0.05). In conclusion, the pellet binders evaluated in this study were beneficial in enhancing pellet quality; however, they did not improve shrimp growth performance. Polymethyl carbamide (an inclusion level of 0.5% of diet), gave the best results in both pellet quality and performance. However, findings suggest that PMC is more suitable for short-term application during shrimp culture. Also, suggest that starch+ gum-based binder could be used as a practical alternative to PMC since it enhances pellet quality and nutritional characteristics, while supporting shrimp performance without adverse impacts.
