Using Amazonian Mauritia flexuosa fruit pulp as a functional food for postlarvae of Litopenaeus vannamei

It was investigated the effects of the inclusion of the Amazonian Mauritia flexuosa fruit pulp in diets used to feed Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae (PL) (weight: 5.0 ± 0.3 mg). Five diets (37% protein, 10% lipid), containing 0 (Control group), 1.25, 2.50, 5.00 and 10.00 % (W/W) of M. flexuosa fruit pulp inclusion were offered to the postlarvae (1 shrimp L-1, 100 L-Tanks, treatments in triplicate) for 43 days. Measured variables included: the growth performance, carcass composition, total carotenoids content, total antioxidant capacity (ACAP), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and economic benefits. M. flexuosa fruit pulp in the diet of L. vannamei postlarvae promoted positive effects on antioxidant capacity, retention of carotenoids, and reduced lipid peroxidation levels. Moreover, it decreased the protein production cost, pointing to the utility of this fruit in sustainable aquaculture. An inclusion level of 5% showed to be economically feasible and near the maximum induction of PL total antioxidant capacity.