Summary: | The objective of this was to evaluate the ability of bioflocs to assimilate and transfer antioxidant compounds present in açaí <i>Euterpe oleracea</i> to juvenile <i>Penaeus vannamei</i> shrimp grown in a biofloc system. Juvenile shrimp were distributed into four treatment groups (control, 5, 20, and 80 mg açaí L<sup>−1</sup>), containing 31 shrimps/tank (90 L), and cultivated for 30 days. Every 24 h throughout the experimental period, the respective açaí concentrations were added directly to the cultivation water. The bioflocs and hepatopancreas lost their antioxidant capacity with increasing concentrations of açaí; however, lipid damage was mitigated after treatment with 20 mg of açaí L<sup>−1</sup> (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The application of 20 mg açaí L<sup>−1</sup> increased the mean height and area of the middle intestinal microvilli (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Mortality and protein and lipid damage in shrimp muscle increased with daily administration of 80 mg açaí L<sup>−1</sup> (<i>p</i> < 0.05). It is concluded that the bioflocs were able to assimilate the antioxidants present in açaí and transfer them to the shrimp, and the administration of 20 mg açaí L<sup>−1</sup> presented the best performance, demonstrating the possibility of its application in the cultivation of <i>P. vannamei</i> in a biofloc system.
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