Abstract
The main issues in shrimp farming are disease and high feed prices. To overcome these issues, a safe and inexpensive substance that can improve health and growth is needed. Natural ingredients from plants such as papaya Carica papaya L. are widely available in Pekalongan. This study aimed to determine the effect of papaya seed flour as a substance addition to artificial feed on the immune response and growth performance of whiteleg shrimp. This experimental research employed a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of five treatments and three replications. The test animals were whiteleg shrimp (PL21) post-larvae, while the test feed was supplemented with papaya seed flour at different doses for each treatment: 0 g.kg−1 feed (A); 1 g.kg−1 feed (B); 3 g.kg−1 feed (C); 5 g.kg−1 feed (D); and 7 g.kg−1 feed (E). The parameters observed included PA (Phagocytic Activity), THC (Total Haemocyte Count), absolute biomass, SGR (Specific Growth Rate), and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio). Treatment D was identified as the optimal dose, resulting in PA of 65.67%, THC of 48.93 x 106 cells.mL−1, absolute biomass of 6.23 g, SGR of 6.09%.d−1, and FCR of 1.18, with a 100% survival rate. Data analysis confirmed that the treatments had a significant difference (P < 0.05) on all parameters. The results showed that the use of papaya seeds can improve both the health and growth of whiteleg shrimp.