DAO prepress abstract - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/dao03848
Dietary silver nanoparticle effects on Penaeus vannamei growth, histopathology, faecal microbiome, and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease survival
Maribel Maldonado-Muñiz, MG Nieto-López, Mireya Tapia-Salazar, Bruno Gómez-Gil, A. Guerrero, Rodolfo Lozano-Olvera, Lucia Elizabeth Cruz-Suarez, Sonia A. Soto-Rodriguez*
ABSTRACT: This study examines acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) in shrimp farming, caused by specific strains of Vibrio (Vp AHPND+), and evaluates the potential of silver and silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl NP) synthesized from marine resources as an antibacterial additive in shrimp feed. Penaeus vannamei juveniles were fed diets supplemented with 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg Ag/AgCl per kg for 20 days. The highest weight gain (%WG) was observed in organisms consuming the 100 mg Ag kg−1 diet, with a 104.27 ± 4.11% increase. Histopathological analysis revealed that 10 and 100 mg Ag kg−1 improved hepatopancreas (HP) ultrastructure, whereas 1000 mg Ag kg−1 caused severe lesions, including cell necrosis. After infection with Vp AHPND+, survival rates increased from 27% in the control group to 78% in juveniles fed the 100 mg Ag kg−1 diet for 7 days. Microbiome analysis showed no significant changes in alpha diversity due to Ag/AgCl NP doses, although a notable shift was observed during the depuration phase. These findings highlight the potential of Ag/AgCl NP as a dietary supplement to improve growth, health, and disease resistance in shrimp farming, emphasizing the importance of precise dosing to maximize benefits while minimizing risks.