A Ashwitha, Fatimah M Yusoff, Hui Teng Tan, Yaw Sim Khaw, F M Ikshan Natrah, Murni Karim, Chou Min Chong
Sustainable aquaculture production depends on nutritionally enriched live feed, particularly during early developmental stages. This study evaluated the effects of bioencapsulated Moina macrocopa enriched in a substrate-based culture system (SbCS) on growth performance, nutritional composition, microbial profile, and disease resistance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae. A 26-day feeding trial was conducted with six treatments under two culture systems, SbCS and clear water system (CWS), using encapsulated and non-encapsulated M. macrocopa and Artemia. The results showed that prawns reared in SbCS and fed encapsulated M. macrocopa (SbCS-E) exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth performance, with weight gain of 1037.9 ± 0.14%, specific growth rate (SGR) of 9.36 ± 0.03% day⁻¹, and survival of 91.65 ± 0.67% compared to other treatments. Nutritional composition was also significantly improved, with higher protein (77.14 ± 0.14%) and lipid (11.89 ± 0.04%) contents in SbCS-E compared to other treatments. Enhanced fatty acid profiles were observed in SbCS-E, including increased levels of arachidonic acid (5.16 ± 1.21%), eicosapentaenoic acid (9.06 ± 0.25%), docosahexaenoic acid (6.49 ± 0.56%), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (72.49 ± 0.55%). Furthermore, the whole-body microbial community of treated M. rosenbergii was dominated by Bacilli, Gammaproteobacteria, and Clostridia. A significantly higher abundance (P < 0.05) of bacilli (92%) was observed in SbCS-E, indicating improved microbial balance. Histological observations likely enhanced resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila, with all treatments except SbCS-A and CWS-A exhibiting normal histological structure. In conclusion, bioencapsulation of M. macrocopa within a substrate-based culture system enhances its nutritional and functional value, improving growth, survival, microbial balance, and disease resistance of M. rosenbergii and offering a promising strategy for sustainable aquaculture intensification.