Evaluation of raw and fermented seaweed, Ulva lactuca as feed ingredient in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

The evaluation of seaweed, Ulva lactuca as feed ingredients in giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii was carried out by incorporating raw and fermented Ulva lactuca at three levels, 10 %, 20 % and 30 % in diets. In 15 days digestibility experiment, among the raw and fermented Ulva lactuca incorporated diets, the freshwater prawn fed with fermented Ulva lactuca (FU) at 30 %, showed maximum apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (88.20 %), APD (88.57 %) and ALD (86.56 %). In the 45 days growth experiment, prawn fed with FU at 30 % showed maximum mean weight gain (2.417g), SGR (1.7892) and PER (1.0096). The best FCR value of 1.2691 was observed in prawn fed with FU at 20 % incorporation. The whole body composition of prawns fed the raw and fermented Ulva lactuca incorporated diets did not show any variations in moisture, protein, lipid and ash. The results of the study suggest that fermented U. lactuca could be incorporated up to 30 % level without compromising growth, digestibility and flesh quality.