Growth, molting, and tissue responses of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931) to garlic (Allium sativum) skin and guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extracts as dietary phytogenics

Lee Van Cleff M. Labsan; Jaynos R. Cortes; Prince John Rudolf V. Badilla; Mecah Ella Cajes; Nielwin P. Catina; Rudy Liza B. Cadiong; Richelle Jane D. Cornites; Fabio C. Ruaza, Jr

doi:10.22034/ijab.v14i1.2707

Authors

Lee Van Cleff M. Labsan Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Jaynos R. Cortes
jaynoscortes@nemsu.edu.ph
Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Prince John Rudolf V. Badilla Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Mecah Ella Cajes Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Nielwin P. Catina Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Rudy Liza B. Cadiong Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Richelle Jane D. Cornites Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.
Fabio C. Ruaza, Jr Department of Fisheries Science, College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, North Eastern Mindanao State University, Lianga Campus, Surigao del Sur, Philippines.

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2026): February

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February 22, 2026

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The use of phytogenic feed additives has gained increasing attention in shrimp aquaculture as alternatives to synthetic growth promoters. This study evaluated the zootechnical, morphometric, and histological responses of Litopenaeus vannamei fed diets supplemented with garlic skin extract (GSE) and guava leaf extract (GLE). A 60-day feeding trial was conducted with four dietary treatments: Control, GSE, GLE, and a combined complex (GSE + GLE) diet. Growth parameters did not differ significantly among treatments, but numerical improvements in final weight and condition factor were observed in GLE-fed shrimp (9.02±1.76 g; 1.30±0.56). GSE-fed shrimp exhibited the highest biomass and survival, while the complex diet resulted in lower growth and survival relative to individual additives. Feed utilization outcomes were consistent with these trends, and strong positive correlations were recorded between survival and biomass (r=0.985) and between final weight and condition factor (r=0.932). Molting frequency increased significantly in GSE-fed shrimp (11.62±1.02%). Histological examinations showed intact hepatopancreatic tubules and muscle fiber integrity in GSE and GLE groups, whereas mild epithelial thinning and fiber disruption were observed in shrimp fed the complex diet. Overall, supplementation with GSE or GLE individually improved shrimp performance and tissue condition, indicating their potential as sustainable phytogenic additives for aquaculture.

Labsan, L. V. C. M., Cortes, J. R., Badilla, P. J. R. V., Cajes, M. E., Catina, N. P., Cadiong, R. L. B., Cornites, R. J. D., & Ruaza, Jr, F. C. (2026). Growth, molting, and tissue responses of Pacific whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931) to garlic (Allium sativum) skin and guava (Psidium guajava) leaf extracts as dietary phytogenics. International Journal of Aquatic Biology, 14(1), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijab.v14i1.2707

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