Effects of dietary replacement of fish oil by conjugated linoleic acid on some meat quality traits of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of fish oil replacement by conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on body proximate analysis and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, fat content, shear force and fatty acid composition in musculature of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Graded levels of CLA (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%) were added to the basic diet of shrimp at the expense of fish oil. Results showed that fat content (p = 0.036) and shear force (p = 0.001) in shrimp musculature were enhanced with increasing dietary CLA inclusion. Fish oil replacement by CLA significantly promoted the incorporation of cis-9, trans-11 CLA (p = 0.0001) and trans-10, cis-12 CLA (p < 0.0001) into shrimp musculature; moreover, the polyunsaturated fatty acid was elevated (p = 0.020) and monounsaturated fatty acid was reduced by CLA inclusion (p = 0.024). It was concluded that replacement of fish oil by CLA could improve some meat quality traits of shrimp and 1% CLA was an appropriate amount.

Research highlights
► Meat quality traits of shrimp were investigated after CLA replacing fish oil in feed.
► CLA replacing fish oil enhanced musculature fat content and shear force.
► CLA replacing fish oil led to more accumulation of two CLA isomers.
► CLA replacing fish oil changed fatty acid composition of musculature.
► CLA replacing fish oil improved some meat quality traits of shrimp.