Vibrio harveyi and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, causative agents of vibriosis and Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), respectively, are major bacterial threats in shrimp aquaculture. Among the strategies to mitigate these pathogens, functional yeast derivatives stand out. The ethanol fermentation of sugarcane yields a yeast cell wall particularly rich in β-glucans (1,3 and 1,6 linkages) and mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS). β-glucans are recognized for their immunomodulatory effects, while MOS can bind gram-negative bacteria, reducing adhesion to the intestinal epithelium and enhancing pathogen clearance. This study evaluated the dietary supplementation of sugarcane-derived yeast cell wall (IMW) on growth performance, immune modulation, and disease resistance in Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).
A completely randomized design was conducted with four treatments (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0% IMW) and eight replicates. Weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and mortality were recorded on days 14 and 28. Immune responses (total hemocyte count, total protein, and phenoloxidase activity) were evaluated, followed by a bacterial challenge with V. harveyi (1.0 × 106 CFU/mL) and V. parahaemolyticus (2.6 × 106 CFU/mL). Data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test, and a linear regression model was fitted to evaluate the dose-response effect of IMW on shrimp performance and mortality.
Results showed that IMW significantly improved feed consumption, growth performance, and immune parameters compared to the control P<0.05). Shrimp fed IMW also exhibited enhanced immunity and lower mortality after Vibrio challenge. The inclusion of 0.5% IMW presented the most consistent benefits. In conclusion, IMW supplementation strengthened the innate immune defense of shrimp and increased resistance against V. harveyi, representing a promising nutritional strategy to mitigate vibriosis in intensive aquaculture systems.