Currently, the use of antibiotics in aquaculture is increasingly widespread and uncontrolled. The purpose of using antibiotics in shrimp farming is to prevent and treat diseases, and in a few cases, to promote growth. However, extensive antibiotic use leads to antibiotic resistance. Many bacteria emerge and develop resistance mechanisms at a faster rate than we can create compounds to combat them. For example, the use of oxytetracycline leads to an increased frequency of resistant microorganisms. Or, Tetracycline resistance genes have been identified at high levels in the water of farms using antibiotics.
Alternatives to antibiotics include good management of feed, environmental parameters, biosecurity, and feed additives. Selecting healthy, disease-free shrimp post-larvae and culturing them at appropriate densities are crucial. Additionally, supplementing the farming process with certain additives such as antioxidants and mold inhibitors; exogenous digestive enzymes; essential fatty acids; MOS; immunostimulants; Nucleotides; organic acids; and replacing inorganic minerals with organic ones.
Antioxidants and mold inhibitors: Aquaculture ponds are hot and humid environments, and feed often contains components prone to producing mycotoxins. While these do not directly cause death, they hinder animal growth. They lead to health deterioration, reduced feed intake, and prolonged low digestion rates, eventually resulting in mortality. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement with antioxidants and mold inhibitors during the farming process.
Exogenous digestive enzymes: Feed contains many ingredients such as corn, soybean, wheat, meat meal, blood meal, and offal, so shrimp need enzymes to digest feed more efficiently. Good digestion will lead to high growth, shorter culture cycles, and reduced disease risks during farming.
Essential fatty acids are vital nutrients for shrimp, acting as anti-inflammatory agents for wounds caused by parasites and reducing irritation in the digestive tract.
MOS-Mannan Oligo Saccharide, extracted from yeast cell walls, helps stimulate the immune system, agglutinate pathogens, and prevent the invasion of harmful bacteria. It also improves nutrient absorption and growth.
Immunostimulants aim to activate the shrimp's immune system.
Nucleotide is an essential semi-nutrient, contributing to the construction of DNA and RNA. Shrimp rely entirely on their innate immune system to combat pathogenic infections. Blood cell counts decrease significantly during infection or environmental challenges. Supplementing the diet with Nucleotides helps shrimp increase blood cell counts by 100% in small shrimp and 30% in large shrimp.
Organic acids: act as preservatives by lowering the pH of feed, which aids in better nutrient utilization and reduces pathogen adsorption. They inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, especially Gram-negative bacteria. They also strengthen the gut microbiota and improve digestive health.
Replacing inorganic minerals with organic ones: Inorganic minerals are unstable and react with enzymes, vitamins, and antioxidants. Organic minerals are much more stable, helping to reduce heavy metal pollution and increase absorption into the shrimp's body.
Additionally, there are other substances that contribute to antibiotic replacement, such as Probiotics, quorum sensing (QS) inhibitors, etc.
For sustainable shrimp farming development, antibiotic use must be minimized. Instead, it is necessary to select healthy, disease-free post-larvae; ensure good water quality; and manage feed effectively. During the farming process, supplementing feed with certain additives to enhance shrimp resistance and immune system, such as antioxidants and mold inhibitors; exogenous digestive enzymes; essential fatty acids; MOS; immunostimulants; nucleotides; organic acids; organic minerals, etc.
Source: Joao Manoel C.Alves
