Effects of Krill-Based Product Supplementation on the Growth Performance and Immunity of Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): A Literature Review

Abstrak

The increasing scarcity and price volatility of fish meal (FM), largely driven by overexploitation of marine fisheries, have intensified the search for sustainable and functional alternatives in shrimp aquaculture. This review synthesizes current evidence published between 2016 and 2026 to evaluate the nutritional and immunological effects of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba)-based products on the growth performance and health of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Relevant studies were retrieved from the Scopus and ScienceDirect databases and critically analyzed to assess the effects of krill-derived ingredients on feed utilization, growth performance, immune responses, and disease resistance. The available evidence indicates that dietary supplementation with low levels of krill meal (approximately 1–6%) consistently enhances feed attractiveness and palatability through chemosensory stimulation, leading to improved feed intake, increased weight gain, and reduced feed conversion ratio. Furthermore, krill-derived bioactive compounds, including astaxanthin, phospholipids, nucleotides, and chitin, modulate innate immune function by upregulating immune-related genes, enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, and strengthening resistance against major shrimp pathogens, including Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) and White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV). Collectively, the reviewed evidence suggests that krill-based products represent promising functional feed ingredients capable of partially replacing fish meal while simultaneously improving growth performance, feed efficiency, and immunocompetence in L. vannamei. Nevertheless, further long-term studies are required to optimize dietary inclusion levels, evaluate economic feasibility, and assess the sustainability of large-scale commercial applications.