In vannamei shrimp cultivation, disease is one of the threats that farmers need to prevent. Aside from implementing strict biosecurity, shrimp disease can also be avoided by giving immunostimulants mixed in shrimp feed. One type of natural immunostimulant that can be used is papaya leaf. Papaya leaves are beneficial for vannamei shrimp at a dose of 30 mg/l to enhance immune response and prevent disease. Learn more about the benefits of papaya leaves for vannamei shrimp in this article.
Benefits of Papaya Leaves for Shrimp
1. Increases immune response
Papaya leaves contain various bioactive compounds that help boost the immune response of shrimp by activating their immune cells. This makes shrimp more resistant to infections and diseases, thus improving their survival rate (SR) throughout cultivation.
Read more: Minerals for Vannamei Shrimp: Benefits and Tips for Treatment
2. Has antibacterial and antioxidant properties
Alkaloids and flavonoids in papaya leaves have antimicrobial properties, protecting shrimp from bacteria, viruses, and parasites. These compounds also have antioxidant properties, protecting shrimp cells from oxidative damage due to free radicals, improving their overall health.
3. Helps with protein absorption
Papaya leaves extract also contains the enzyme papain. This enzyme is proteolytic, or speeds up the process of protein hydrolysis. In the shrimp’s digestive tract, the protein consumed through feed can be broken down and absorbed more effectively by the shrimp’s system, enhancing their growth.
4. Reduces the use of synthetic chemicals and antibiotics
As a natural ingredient, using papaya leaf extract as an immunostimulant offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic chemicals. In the long term, its use is more sustainable and contributes to the health of aquatic ecosystems.
5. Potentially improves cultivation performance
In addition to boosting the shrimp's immune system, papaya leaf extract also supports shrimp growth and feed efficiency, leading to positive impacts on overall farm productivity. These benefits significantly increase the economic profits for farmers.
Conclusion
Papaya leaves are a natural immunostimulant that benefits shrimp. The benefits of papaya leaves for vannamei shrimp include:
- Increases immune response
- Has antibacterial and antioxidant properties
- Helps with protein absorption
- Reduces the use of synthetic chemicals and antibiotics
- Potentially improves cultivation performance
If you are planning to give papaya leaves for your shrimp, make sure to record it as a treatment on JALA App to accurately monitor the amount, time, and effect on shrimp growth. On JALA App, you can also record over 40 cultivation parameters, helping you make the best decision in your farm.
Haven’t registered on JALA App? Sign up today on app.jala.tech and download the mobile version from Google Play Store or App Store!
Resources
Arisa, I. I., Muchlisin, Z. A., Purba, S., Muhammadar, M., & Mellisa, S. (2021, February). The effect of papain and bromelain enzymes on the growth and feed utilization of post larvae Litopenaeus vannamei. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 674, No. 1, p. 012097). IOP Publishing.
Monica, M. (2017). Kajian Potensi Ekstrak Daun Pepaya (Carica Papaya L) Terhadap Immunitas Non Spesifik Udang Vaname (Litopenaeus Vannamei).
Muahiddah, N., & Diamahesa, W. A. (2023). The Use Of Immunostimulants From Papaya Leaves To Treat Disease And Increase Non-Specific Immunity In Fish And Shrimp. Journal of Fish Health, 3(1), 19-24.
