Effect of shrimp head lipid extract on growth, body composition, tissue and feed antioxidant parameters, and serum profile of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

This study explored the potential of incorporating shrimp head lipid extract (SHLE) obtained from the processing of Penaeus vannamei in the feed of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five diets containing increasing SHLE levels were tested: 0.0% (control) 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.2% and 1.6%. Fish with an initial weight of 4.38 ± 0.13 g and length of 6.36 ± 0.23 cm were randomly distributed into 20 tanks (50 L each), with 10 fish per tank. Each treatment was assigned to four replicate tanks and the fish were fed for 45 days. Final body weight, weight gain, specific growth rate, feed efficiency, protein efficiency ratio, protein retention rate, and condition factor increased significantly in a dose-dependent manner with higher dietary SHLE levels, while feed conversion ratio decreased. Whole-body protein content also increased, while lipid content decreased with SHLE inclusion. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, as well as the concentration of reduced glutathione, were significantly higher in the liver and muscle of tilapia fed higher dietary SHLE levels. Increasing dietary SHLE levels also resulted in higher serum levels of total protein, albumin, and globulin, and reduced levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin/globulin ratio, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and amylase. Additionally, SHLE caused a dose-dependent reduction in malondialdehyde content in the diets after seven, thirty, and sixty days of storage. SHLE is considered an adequate dietary supplement for O. niloticus at an estimated inclusion level of 1.6%.