Effect of papaya (Carica papaya L) leaves flour on the growth performance and immunity parameters of whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) challenged with Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) is an economically valuable species that can be cultivated in Indonesia. One of the main challenges in this cultivation activity is the high disease-related mortality. One approach to preventing infectious diseases is to enhance the immune response by administering immunostimulants. Papaya (Carica papaya L.) can be used as an immunostimulant, as its leaves contain the proteolytic enzyme papain, which plays a role in protein breakdown (proteolytic activity), and the alkaloid Carpaine, which has antibacterial properties. The study employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments consisted of control+, control-, and papaya leaf flour at 2, 4, and 6%. Research parameters included survival rate (SR), specific weight growth rate, specific length growth rate, feed conversion ratio, blood glucose, phagocytic activity, and water quality, including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and ammonia (NH3+). The best treatment was P5 at 6%, which showed significant improvements in survival rate, specific weight growth rate, specific length growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and phagocytic activity.