According to Gram Research analysis of a 2026 study in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology, adding a plant extract mix at 0.4 grams per 100 grams of feed produced the strongest results in Pacific white shrimp. These shrimp grew faster, digested food better, and showed stronger immune activity against white feces syndrome.
Shrimp farms lose money when diseases like white feces syndrome spread through the ponds. A 2026 study in the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology tested whether adding a mix of six plant extracts to shrimp feed could help. The extracts came from plants such as turmeric, garlic, and ashwagandha, along with lemon peel. Researchers fed Pacific white shrimp five different amounts of the mix and compared them with a plain diet over 60 days. Shrimp given the 0.4 grams per 100 grams dose grew the most, digested their food better, and showed stronger immune activity. Gram Research analysis suggests this natural approach may help farmers raise healthier shrimp, although the work was done in controlled lab tanks and still needs testing on working farms.
Key Statistics
A 2026 study of 540 young Pacific white shrimp found that feed containing 0.4 grams of a six-plant extract mix per 100 grams produced the highest growth and strongest immune responses among six tested diets.
In a 60-day feeding trial published in 2026, shrimp fed the 0.4 percent plant additive diet showed significantly higher final body weight, digestion, and immune gene activity than shrimp fed plain feed.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Can a natural mix of plant extracts added to shrimp feed improve growth, digestion, and resistance to white feces syndrome, a disease that harms shrimp farms?
- Who participated: 540 young Pacific white shrimp, each weighing about 1 gram at the start. The shrimp were split into six groups of 30 per tank, with three tanks per group.
- Key finding: Shrimp fed the 0.4 grams per 100 grams dose grew significantly more, digested food better, and showed stronger immune gene activity than shrimp in the other groups. The results were statistically significant, meaning they are unlikely to be due to chance alone.
- What it means for you: If you raise shrimp, this research suggests a plant-based feed additive may support growth and disease defense. It is not yet proven for farm use, so test it carefully before changing your feed program.
The Research Details
Researchers wanted to know whether a mix of plant extracts could make shrimp healthier. The mix included extracts from Syzygium cumini, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Allium sativum (garlic), Argemone mexicana, and lemon peel. Each extract was added to shrimp feed in one of five amounts, from 0.1 to 0.5 grams per 100 grams of feed. A sixth group received the same feed with no added mix, serving as the comparison group.
The shrimp were randomly placed into these six groups and kept in tanks for 60 days. They were fed three times a day at set times. Researchers then measured body weight, how much weight the shrimp gained, how well their bodies used protein, how well they digested nutrients, and the activity of digestive enzymes. After this period, the shrimp were exposed to the disease for 14 days to see how well they resisted it.
After the challenge, the team measured antioxidant enzyme activity, which helps cells handle damage, and the activity of immune genes such as LYZ, TLR, and IMD. These genes help the shrimp fight off bacteria, including Vibrio species that are linked to white feces syndrome.
Randomly assigning shrimp to groups makes it more likely that any differences come from the feed rather than from the shrimp themselves. Comparing five doses against a control group also helps show whether the effect rises with more additive or peaks at a certain level. Measuring both growth and immune activity gives a fuller picture of whether the additive helps shrimp perform well and resist disease.
The study used a controlled, randomized design with a control group and repeated tanks, which are strengths. The results were reported as statistically significant. However, the study was done on young shrimp in controlled tanks, not on commercial ponds. Each group had only three tanks, and the exact sample statistics are not fully shown in the summary. The extracts were also crude, meaning their exact chemical makeup can vary from batch to batch.
What the Results Show
The main result was that the 0.4 grams per 100 grams dose, called T4 in the study, performed better than the other doses and the control. Shrimp on this diet ended the 60 days with the highest final body weight and the greatest weight gain. Their growth rate and protein efficiency, which measures how well they turned feed protein into body mass, were also higher than the other groups.
The T4 shrimp also digested their food better. Researchers found higher nutrient digestibility and greater activity of digestive enzymes, which are proteins that break down food in the gut. Better digestion means more of the feed becomes usable energy and growth rather than waste.
When the shrimp were challenged with the disease, those on the T4 diet had higher antioxidant enzyme activity. This suggests their bodies were better at managing the cell stress that infections cause. They also showed stronger activity in immune genes such as LYZ, TLR, and IMD, which are involved in detecting and fighting harmful microbes.
The study suggests that the benefits were not simply more is better. The middle dose performed best, which implies that adding more of the mix beyond a certain level did not produce further gains.
Researchers also looked at how well the shrimp used their feed overall. The improvements in digestion and feed use may help farmers reduce waste in the pond. Less uneaten or poorly digested feed can mean cleaner water and lower costs, although the study did not directly measure water quality or farm profits.
Many researchers have studied herbs and plant extracts in aquaculture because they are seen as a more natural alternative to antibiotics and synthetic chemicals. Previous work on plants such as garlic, turmeric, and other botanicals has reported similar patterns, with better growth and immune activity at moderate doses. This study adds a combined six-ingredient mix and tests it against a specific shrimp disease, which fits with the broader research trend.
The study was done in controlled tanks with young shrimp, so results may look different in large commercial ponds with changing temperature, water quality, and disease pressure. The disease challenge lasted only 14 days, so it does not show how long protection lasts. Because the extracts were crude, their active ingredients may vary, which could affect repeatability. The study also tested only one feed mix, so it does not show whether individual plants would work as well alone. Finally, the findings apply to Pacific white shrimp and are not evidence about human health.
The Bottom Line
Moderate confidence: The evidence suggests that adding about 0.4 grams per 100 grams of this plant mix to shrimp feed may improve growth, digestion, and immune response in young Pacific white shrimp. Lower confidence applies to farm use, since the work was done in controlled tanks. Farmers should run a small trial in their own system before making large changes.
Shrimp farmers, aquaculture feed producers, and researchers working on sustainable seafood production should pay close attention. People who eat shrimp or who are not involved in shrimp farming do not need to change anything based on this study.
The study ran for 60 days before the disease challenge, so growth and immune effects were measured over about two months. Farmers should expect to evaluate results over a full grow-out cycle, which often lasts several months, before judging whether the feed works in practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can plant extracts in shrimp feed help prevent white feces syndrome?
A 2026 study suggests they may help. Shrimp fed 0.4 grams of a six-plant extract mix per 100 grams of feed showed stronger immune gene activity and antioxidant responses during a 14-day disease challenge. Results came from controlled lab tanks, so farm results may vary.
What dose of plant additive worked best for shrimp growth?
In the study, the 0.4 grams per 100 grams dose produced the best growth, digestion, and immune results among the five doses tested. Higher doses did not produce further gains, which suggests more additive is not always better for shrimp health.
Which plants were in the shrimp feed additive?
The mix contained crude extracts from Syzygium cumini, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa (turmeric), Allium sativum (garlic), Argemone mexicana, and lemon peel. Using crude extracts means the exact active compounds can vary between production batches.
How long did the shrimp feeding study last?
The feeding trial lasted 60 days, with shrimp fed three times daily. After that, shrimp were exposed to the disease for 14 days to test their resistance. Longer studies on commercial farms would be needed to confirm lasting benefits.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Record the feed additive dose in grams per 100 grams of feed, the average shrimp weight every two weeks, and the number of shrimp alive at each check. Compare these numbers to a control pond or tank that uses the same feed without the additive.
- Log feeding times and amounts three times a day, matching the schedule used in the study. Note any signs of disease, such as changes in shrimp feces or unusual deaths, so you can compare outcomes across batches.
- Track growth, survival, and disease signs across full production cycles and multiple batches. Review your records each season and adjust the additive dose only after confirming results in your own system with a veterinarian or aquaculture specialist.
This article summarizes an animal research study on Pacific white shrimp raised in controlled lab conditions. The findings do not apply directly to human health or nutrition. Farmers considering feed additives should consult a qualified aquaculture veterinarian or feed specialist and test changes on a small scale before wider use. This summary is for general information only and is not professional advice.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.