THE IMPACT OF VASAKA (JUSTICIA ADHATODA) LEAF EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH AND IMMUNE RESPONSE OF SHRIMP (PENAEUS MONODON)

Justicia adhatoda, also known as "Vasaka plant," is employed in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a wide range of human diseases. This study aimed to explore the potential application of Vasaka leaf extract (VLE) as a viable option for enhancing the growth and immune response of Penaeus monodon. Three diets containing varying amounts of Vasaka leaves (0 g [Control], 0.5 g/kg feed [VLE0.5], and 1 g/kg feed [VLE1.0]) were consumed to replicate groups of shrimp in 60 L aquarium tanks for 28 days. The assessment of growth was conducted by the evaluation of many parameters, including weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and survival rate. The results of the experiment indicate that there were no statistically significant differences in the growth performance and survival rate of the shrimp across the various experimental groups. The introduction of Vasaka leaf as a dietary supplement resulted in a significant enhancement of shrimp immunity through the upregulation of total haemocyte count, prophenoloxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity, accompanied by a concurrent decrease in haemolymph clotting time. These results propose that nutritional supplementation with Vasaka leaf took no negative effect on the growth of P. monodon but did increase its non-specific immune response and can be considered as safe in shrimp culture.