Efficacy of bacterial fermented oilcake mix as fishmeal substitute in the diet of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius) post larvae

Diets incorporated with varying levels (5, 15, 25 and 35%) of bacterial fermented oil cake mix, derived by solid-state fermentation (SSF) as fishmeal replacement, were evaluated in Penaeus monodon post larvae for growth, digestibility and body composition through a 42 days laboratory experiment. A diet containing 35% fishmeal and no fermented ingredient mix was used as the control. Pure culture of Bacillus coagulans MTCC-2449 was used for SSF and the 36 h fermented product was incorporated in the diets. Analysis of response data revealed that the shrimp fed diet containing 35% fermented ingredient mix (100% fishmeal substitution) had significantly higher (P