Evaluation of new non-genetically modified soybean varieties as ingredients in practical diets for Litopenaeus vannamei.

Twelve ingredients obtained from new, non-genetically modified soybean cultivars as well as commercially available sources of soybean meal (SBM) were evaluated in practical feed formulations for the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei , using both digestibility and growth trials. Apparent digestibility coefficients for energy (ADE) and protein (ADP) were determined using chromic oxide as inert marker and the 70:30 replacement technique. Digestibility coefficients for ADE and ADP ranged from 76.6 to 91.3% and 93.6 to 99.8%, respectively. In general, two distinct groups of high and moderate digestibility values were observed. A separate 8-week growth trial was conducted to evaluate selected SBMs using six replicate tanks per dietary treatment (10 shrimp per tank, initial weight 0.52 ± 0.04 g). An SBM-based reference diet was formulated using commercial SBM (45.3), which was then completely replaced on iso-nitrogenous basis with other experimental SBMs. Significant differences ( P ≤ 0.05) were observed in growth performance but not survival. In general, trends in digestibility values were similar to those of the growth trial. Ingredients (I)-16, I-17, I-18, and I-19 demonstrate relatively higher values in terms of digestibility as well as supporting good growth. Results indicate that genetic selection of soybean for nutritional characteristics of the meal has the potential to increase the nutritional values of SBM for shrimp feeds. Statement of relevance This study provides useful and important information of 12 varieties soybean meal in shrimp to support the aquaculture feed industry development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]