Effect of Noni, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract supplementation on the growth performances and physiological responses of the hepatopancreas of Whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Post Larvae

Abstract This study focused on the effect of Noni, Morinda citrifolia fruit extract supplementation on the growth and the hepatopancreas function of Whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Post Larvae (PL). The crude extract of M. citrifolia fruit was obtained through drying and methanol extraction followed by concentration through rotary evaporation. The extracts were incorporated into commercial shrimp pellet at the concentrations of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%. Feeding trial was done for 30 days and shrimp samples were collected at 5 days interval for growth performance determination and physiology analysis on the hepatopancreas. Despite the inconsistency in growth performances during the early feeding period, the extract supplementation did improved the growth of P. vannamei PL. Significant differences in the digestive enzymes and antioxidant enzymes activities between treatments were observed. The correlation results showed only amylase were correlated with M. citrifolia fruit extract supplementation. In terms of the relationship with growth, amylase and lipase showed correlation with the BW changes of P. vannamei PL while trypsin otherwise. Antioxidant enzymes were strongly correlated with the concentration of M. citrifolia fruit extract supplemented and growth of P. vannamei PL. This indicates that the growth of shrimp was improved with increased antioxidant enzyme activities. The number of hepatopancreatic cells (B, R & E cells) also increased significantly with the increasing concentration of M. citrifolia supplementation during the 30-day feeding trial. Similarly, strong correlation was observed between the hepatopancreatic cells and the growth of P. vannamei PL. The appearance of cell atrophies and haemocytic infiltration in the hepatopancreas might indicate the stimulation of innate defense mechanism in the hepatopancreas by the extract supplementation.