Journal of Aquaculture Science October 2021 Vol 6 (2): 99-109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.31093/joas.v6i2.145 Online pada http://joas.co.id JoAS 2021, 6 (2):99-109. pISSN 2550-0910; eISSN 2579-4817 | Page 99 Replacing Fishmeal With Palm Kernel Meal In Formulated Feed For The Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei) Nor Syafinaz Shamsuddin 1 , Norsila Daim 1 , Nawwar Zawani Mamat 1 * 1 Faculty of Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perlis Branch, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia. Corresponding author: nawwarmamat@gmail.com Submitted: 20 February 2021 Revised: 11 April 2021 Accepted: 12 July 2021 Publish: 30 October 2021 Abstract Utilisation of plant proteins to replace fishmeal in shrimp feeds has become an important consideration because fishmeal is becoming more expensive due to increasing demand worldwide. Palm kernel meal (PKM) is the by-product of palm kernel oil extraction and its potential use to substitute fishmeal in the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) diet was evaluated by conducting a 90-day feeding trial. Shrimp juveniles with an initial average weight of 0.5 g, protein content of 10.74±0.70% were randomly distributed into five treatments in triplicates. Four isonitrogenous (approximately 35% protein) diets were formulated to contain 0% (D0), 25% (D25), 50% (D50) and 75% (D75) of PKM replacement and a commercial feed served as control treatment (Control). Results from this study revealed that shrimp fed D25 were comparable with those fed with Control as there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR) between the groups. However, PKM inclusions above 50% showed detrimental effects on the growth performance. The highest total protein percent was observed in shrimp tissues fed with D25 (67.59±0.87%) and D75 showed the lowest protein among the treatments (57.4±0.63%) (p<0.05). Total lipid content was observed high in shrimp fed with Control (4.33±2.96%) followed by diet D25 (4.32±0.67%). The lowest lipid content was observed in shrimp fed diet D75 (2.03±0.20%). However, there was no significant difference in lipid values among all treatments (p>0.05). Shrimp fed with the control treatment contained 16.04±0.03% of carbohydrate and the lowest was found in shrimp fed with D25 (14.67±0.07%) at p>0.05. When PKM is utilised to replace FM, a limit of 25% level should be recommended. Keywords: Elaeis guineensis, fishmeal, Litopenaeus vannamei, palm kernel meal, replacement INTRODUCTION The Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, is native to the Pacific coast of central and South America (Briggs et al., 2005). L. vannamei is known for its high growth rate, adaptation to numbers of culture systems, and high market value. This white shrimp species has become one of the most important crustacean species for aquaculture production in Malaysia since its first introduction in 2002 (Kua et al., 2018). The production is increasing from time to time and these shrimps have displaced the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon) (Liao and Chien, 2011). Fishmeal is the main ingredient in formulated feeds for cultured shrimps due to its high protein content, balanced amount of amino and fatty acids, vitamins, minerals and palatability (Suárez et al., 2009). However, the price of fishmeal is rising enormously throughout the year considering the demand is more likely higher than the production of fishmeal (Olsen and Hasan, 2012). Shrimp consumption has expected to increase continuously and it is important to develop other cost-effective protein sources to reduce the feed cost and to sustain shrimp industry. Providing shrimp with satisfied levels of nutrition is the fundamental part in feed formulation because maintaining and enhancing the shrimp growth and performance leans on optimal nutrition (Cuzon, 1989; Pratoomyot et al., 2010; Molina-Poveda et al., 2013). Palm