Soybean hull-based binders: Evaluation of growth and potential health benefits in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The water stability of aquafeeds, especially shrimp feed, is an important component of feed quality. Recently, our laboratory developed novel feed binders derived from soyhull to further improve water stability of the compound feeds. Here, a 10-week feeding study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three soyhull-based binders and three control binders (carboxymethyl cellulose, corn starch, and wheat gluten) incorporated in diets at 2 % on physiological (growth, body composition and plasma chemistry) and immunological (hemocyte count, hemocyanin, phenoloxidase activity) status of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (mean weight of 4.35 ± 0.10 g). During the growth trial, the physiological status of shrimp, measured by growth, survival, body composition and plasma chemistry (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, potassium, total protein, cholesterol), were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. However, total hemocyte count and hemocyte lysate phenoloxidase activity were significantly higher in shrimp fed a diet with SH #3 binder than that of shrimp fed pellets with corn starch. No significant differences in immune status were observed among shrimp fed other diets. Based on weight gain, percent survival, and body composition, soyhull-based binders can be used successfully to replace wheat gluten, corn starch or carboxymethyl cellulose in shrimp diets. Additionally, the use of SH #3 binder may prove beneficial by improving the immune status of L. vannamei . • Soyhull-based binders can effectively replace wheat gluten, corn starch or carboxymethyl cellulose in pelleted shrimp diets. • Soyhull binder #3 has the potential to be a functional feed ingredient in shrimp diets. • The novel soyhull binders enhance feed integrity in water and are scalable for industrial production.