Giant freshwater prawns received control diets or 10% and 20% fishmeal replacement with L. plantarum TISTR1284-fermented Leucaena for two weeks. Fermented diets increased immune markers and reduced post-A. hydrophila mortality by 26.14%, with normal intestinal morphology.
Key findings
- Fermented diets increased antioxidant compounds, haemocytes, cell proliferation, phenoloxidase and several immune transcripts, while challenge mortality fell 26.14% without reported gut damage.
Why this matters globally
Fishmeal cost and marine-resource pressure make fermented plant protein relevant to tropical freshwater aquaculture and circular feed systems.
Thai researcher contribution
University of Phayao and Mahidol researchers integrated nutrition, fermentation, immunology and pathogen-challenge expertise.
Limitations to consider
The two-week study omits sample size, growth, FCR, cost and long-term residual mimosine in the abstract. Laboratory challenge is not commercial-pond performance, and transcript changes are surrogate evidence.