Title: Essential fatty acids in the diet of prawn. II. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on growth.
Abstract: The effect of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6ω3) on the growth of prawn, Penaeus japonicus, was studied by using a purified diet during a 60-day feeding period. The prawn fed diets containing oleic acid alone or medium chain triglycerides (MCT) showed poor growth. The addition of 1% levels of linoleic acid (18:2ω6) or linolenic acid (18:3ω3) to the diet containing 4% MCT improved the weight gain. The supplementary effect of 22:6ω3 was the highest among the three acids. These results indicate that 22:6ω3 is more effective as an essential fatty acid than 18:2ω6 or 18:3ω3.