Advances in Plant Proteins: Soybean Protein Peptides in Shrimp Feed

Strategic Insights -

Research conducted by Guangdong Ocean University has made significant breakthroughs in the use of soybean protein peptides (SPP) as a substitute for fishmeal in shrimp feed. The study, which aimed to assess the effect of SPP on growth, antioxidative capacity, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei, demonstrated that SPP can be an effective replacement for fishmeal, with the optimal level of SPP replacement for fishmeal found to be 14.82%.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that SPP can improve growth, antioxidative capacity, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance in shrimp when used as a substitute for fishmeal.
  • The optimal level of SPP replacement for fishmeal was determined to be 14.82% through regression analyses simulations.
  • The research suggests that SPP can be used to replace up to 50% of fishmeal protein in shrimp feed without compromising the nutritional needs of the shrimp.
  • The study highlights the potential for plant-based protein sources, such as soybean protein peptides, to reduce the reliance on fishmeal in aquaculture feed.
  • The research was funded by the National Key Research & Development Program of China and the National Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province.
  • The study involved six iso-nitrogen and iso-lipid diets, namely, FM, S10, S20, S30, S40, and S50, which were fed to shrimp for 56 days.

Statistics:

  • The specific growth rate (SGR) and weight gain rate (WGR) in the S10 group were significantly higher than those in the FM group (P < 0.05).
  • The protein deposition rate (PDR) in the S10 and S20 groups was also significantly higher than that in the FM group (P < 0.05).
  • The study analyzed the effect of SPP on growth, antioxidative capacity, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei.
  • The research suggests that SPP can be used to replace fishmeal in shrimp feed without compromising the nutritional needs of the shrimp.
  • The optimal level of SPP replacement for fishmeal was found to be 14.82% through regression analyses simulations.

Sources:

  • Evaluation of Soybean Protein Peptides On Growth, Antioxidative Capacity, Non-specific Immunity, and Disease Resistance for Juvenile litopenaeus Vannamei. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2025;329.
  • NewsRx. New Findings from Guangdong Ocean University Describe Advances in Plant Proteins (Evaluation of Soybean Protein Peptides On Growth, Antioxidative Capacity, Non-specific Immunity, and Disease Resistance for Juvenile litopenaeus Vannamei). Life Science Weekly. November 4, 2025; p 2788.