Soybean hull -based binders: evaluation of growth and potential health benefits in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

Authors: Aksoy, Mediha; AKSOY, BURAK - Auburn University; Eljack, Rashida; Beck, Benjamin; Webster, Carl; Paulson, Matthew

Submitted to: Aquaculture Reports
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2025
Publication Date: 12/30/2025
Citation: Aksoy, M., Aksoy, B., Eljack, R.M., Beck, B.H., Webster, C.D., Paulson, M.D. 2025. Soybean hull -based binders: evaluation of growth and potential health benefits in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Aquaculture Reports. 45(2025):103096.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2025.103096

Interpretive Summary: Inclusion of a binder is necessary to ensure shrimp pellets have prolong water stability until consumption. Pellets with poor water stability increase operational costs and contribute to poor water quality. The novel soyhull-based binders are easy to produce and provide shrimp pellets with excellent water stability. A 10-week feeding study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three soyhull-based binders and three control binders (carboxymethyl cellulose, corn starch, and wheat gluten) at 2% on growth, body composition, plasma chemistry, blood cell counts and immunological activities of juvenile Pacific white shrimp (average weight of 4.35 ± 0.10g). Growth, survival, body composition and plasma chemistry of shrimp were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. On the other hand, blood cell counts and immune activity of shrimp fed Soyhull-based binder #3 were significantly higher than shrimp fed pellets with corn starch binder. Thus, soyhull-based novel binder can be used successfully to replace wheat gluten, corn starch or CMC in shrimp diet. Additionally, use of soyhull-based binder #3 may improve health of shrimp.

Technical Abstract: The water stability of aquafeeds, especially shrimp feed, is an important component of feed quality. Recently, our laboratory developed novel feed binders derived from soyhull to further improve water stability of the compound feeds. Here, a 10-week feeding study was conducted to evaluate the effects of three soyhull-based binders and three control binders (carboxymethyl cellulose, corn starch, and wheat gluten) incorporated in diets at 2% on physiological (growth, body composition and plasma chemistry) and immunological (hemocyte count, hemocyanin, phenoloxidase activity) status of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (mean weight of 4.35 ± 0.10g). During the growth trial, the physiological status of shrimp, measured by growth, survival, body composition and plasma chemistry (alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, calcium, potassium, total protein, cholesterol), were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments. However, total hemocyte count and hemocyte lysate phenoloxidase activity were significantly higher in shrimp fed a diet with SH #3 binder than that of shrimp fed pellets with corn starch. No significant differences in immune status were observed among shrimp fed other diets. Based on weight gain, percent survival, and body composition, soyhull-based binders can be used successfully to replace wheat gluten, corn starch or carboxymethyl cellulose in shrimp diets. Additionally, the use of SH #3 binder may prove beneficial by improving the immune status of L. vannamei.