The 0.1% that makes the difference: case study on the use of botanical molecules to boost survival and productivity in Litopenaeus vannamei

The production of shrimp has significantly increased in recent years in Latin America, especially in Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico, making aquaculture one of the fastest-growing industries. Shrimp aquaculture has experienced setbacks and issues, primarily related to health and economic difficulties. Due to these concerns shrimp farmers have been increasing the intensity of productions, therefore raising potential stressors and the possibility of health issues in shrimp farming. Aquafeeds are crucial for managing these circumstances to meet nutritional needs of the shrimps, as well as to modulate the health and resistance of farmed animals due to the rising use of new functional additives. In this sense especially botanicals and nature identical compounds, molecules derived from natural plants in the form of extracts, oleoresins, and essential oils, are being studied worldwide for the great variety of results they bring, including immunomodulatory properties in the host and antimicrobial efficacy against pathogens.