Photoprotection Effects of Red Seaweed Meal (Grateloupia cf. Turuturu) as Feed Ingredient in Prawn Artemesia Longinaris

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of adding red seaweed meal rich in ultraviolet radiation absorbing compounds (UACs) to the diet of juvenile prawn Artemesia longinaris and its possible protective effects under stress by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Three experimental diets were prepared: control diet (D) and two diets supplemented with red seaweed Grateloupia cf. turuturu meal at two inclusion levels (D1: 1 g/100 g; D2: 2 g/100 g). Three experiments were carried out: a) 45-day feeding, b) digestibility, and c) radiation exposure experiment. After the 45-day feeding experiment, no significant differences were found in growth and survival. Accumulation of UACs was detected only in animals fed D1 and D2, and concentration was significantly higher in animals fed D2, with concentrations (12.58 ± 3.50 OD g−1) and (3.17 ± 0.4 OD g−1) after 45-day feeding and after 7-day UVR exposure, respectively. After 7 days of exposure to different light treatments, significant differences were recorded inradical scavenging activities. In all UVR treatments, rapid signal decay was recorded in the first 5 min of reaction. The red seaweed Grateloupia cf. turuturumeal constitutes an interesting source of photoprotective compounds as an additive in the diet of A. longinaris.