EFFECT OF AEROBIC MICROBIAL FLOC ON WATER QUALITY, GROWTH, SURVIVAL AND DIGESTIVE ENZYME ACTIVITY OF Penaeus vannamei IN INTENSIVE NURSERY REARING IN RACEWAY SYSTEM

A 30 days feeding experiment was performed to investigate the effect of promoted aerobic microbial flocs (AMF) on growth performance, feed utilization, digestive enzyme activity of the Penaeus vannamei (PL15) and extracellular enzyme activity of the microbial floc in intensive nursery rearing zero water exchange system. AMF- based tank with commercial feed and AMF incorporated feed (25% level) at same crude protein (35%) level, and clear water system with commercial feed operated in raceways (30 tons capacity) at the stocking density of 1500/m². At the end of the experiment, the extracellular enzyme activity of the collected microbial floc from treatments influenced the digestive enzyme activity of the animal. Meanwhile, the specific activity of the protease, amylase, and lipase in hepatopancreas, stomach and intestine of the shrimp showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in treatments than control. There was no significant difference in the growth performance of the shrimp among treatments and significantly higher than control (P < 0.05). The present study elucidates the suitability of AMF incorporated feed for enhanced growth and digestive enzyme activity in white leg shrimp.