EFFECT OF FRESHWATER RED ALGAE (Caloglossa beccarii) EXTRACT ON GROWTH AND PIGMENTATION OF PACIFIC WHITE SHRIMP (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Abstract

Freshwater red alga (Caloglossa beccarii DeToni) are predominantly colored in the carotenoids. It is suitable for applies as a colorant in ornamental aquatic animals. Thus, the using freshwater red algae crude extracts to improve the color of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was used in this experiment. This research aimed to study the effect of crude extracts from red algae extracted with absolute ethanol on growth performance and skin color of shrimps with commercial diets containing freshwater red alga crude extracts at seven inclusion levels (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 mg/kg). The diets were given to shrimps for 4 months period and the skin color of shrimp was measured by using a colorimeter with the system CIE (L*a*b*). The results showed that all levels of concentrations crude extracts were not effect on growth performance and survival rate (P>0.05). The lightness value (L*) was highest in white shrimp fed by diet control group (0 mg/kg) with the lightness value of 35.71±1.14 (P<0.05).The redness (a*) was highest in white shrimp fed by diet supplement with 250 mg/kg crude extracts (7.86+1.72) and higher than white shrimp in control group (P<0.05). All levels of concentrations crude extracts supplement in diet were not effect on yellowness (b*) (P>0.05).