Effects of Ocimum basilicum extract on growth performance, survival rate, and body composition of white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The effect of different concentrations of Ocimum basilicum extract supplement on growth and survival of Western white leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), juveniles was investigated. Shrimps were separated into four experimental groups of 0 (Controls), 60, 120 and 240 ppm extracts of O. basilicum. The photoperiod was regulated to a 12:12 dark/light cycle and molts, feces and dead shrimps were daily removed and 30% of water in each tank was exchanged by new sea water. Biometry was done once a week. Extract supplemented diet did not have any significant effect on weight gain (%), final weight (g), growth performance, feed utilization and body composition of L. vannamei when compared to shrimp in the control diet. It was also observed that the shrimp fed the diet containing 120 ppm O. basilicum extract obtained the highest weight gain (%) 6.23 ± 0.12% and the lowest rate (5.7 ± 0.1%) was for 240 ppm extract. In conclusion, dietary O. basilicum extract supplementation had no significant effects on the growth performance, survival rate, feed utilization and carcass composition of Western white leg shrimp juveniles. The positive results obtained encourage conducting further research on the administration of O. basilicum extract on Western white leg shrimp or other economically important species but with longer duration of culture period.