“The use of Corn fermented protein as a protein source complement with soybean meal in practical diets in pond and tank based production of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).”

The implementation of cost-effective ingredients that assure growth and health has demanded more attention in the past few decades. The ethanol industry has developed new corn co-products, such as corn fermented protein (CFP) containing 50% crude protein and less fiber, which are attractive protein sources for feeds. The current study assesses the efficacy of CFP in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei feeds cultured under pond conditions and outdoor tanks. Four isonitrogenous (35%) and isolipidic (8%) extruded diets were formulated to partially reduce soybean meal as the inclusion of CFP increased (0, 5, 10 and 20%). The pond trial was conducted in 16 ponds (0.1 ha) stocked with 0.032 g shrimp at 25 shrimp m -2 , over an 82-day of culture period. Feed was delivered using passive acoustic feeders from AQ1. At the conclusion of the pond trial, whole body analysis revealed a significant increase in phosphorous retention at 20% of inclusion of CFP, (P=0.009). There were no significant differences(P>0.05) in shrimp production endpoints among dietary treatments. For the outdoor tank trial juvenile shrimp (0.197 ± 0.006 g) were stocked at 35 shrimp m -2 in 16 tanks (800-L), over an experimental period of 8 weeks. At the conclusion of the trial, no significant difference was found in feed conversion ratio, growth or survival among dietary treatments. The outcomes from both these trials indicate that CFP can be used up to 20% of the inclusion level in the diets of Pacific white shrimp without compromising growth. • CFP can be included up to 20% in L.vannamei diets without depressing growth • Both trials demonstrate the feasibility of CFP as a protein source for shrimp diets • Better-quality corn co-products at a reasonable cost can improve economic returns