Effects of different levels of pectin as a natural prebiotic in the diet on the immune system, antioxidant defense system of leg white shrimp (Liptopenaeus vannamei).

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of pectin extracted from orange peel as a natural prebiotic on hemolymph markers, nonspecific immune markers, antioxidant defense system, and digestive function of Llitopenaeus vannamei. the group fed with 1.5% pectin level (P <0.05). However, it had no significant effect on shrimp survival and lysozyme content, total protein and glucose (P >0.05). Antioxidant enzymes in the present study showed an increase in catalase and superoxide dismutase activity in 0.5 and 1.5% pectin treatments. Statistically, the activity of this enzyme in treatment with 1% pectin and control treatment was not significantly different (P >0.05). The highest phenol oxidase activity was in the group fed with 1% pectin. However, the activity of this enzyme in the two treatments of 0.5 and 1.5% were not significantly different from the control group (P >0.05). The results showed that pectin as a natural probiotic is effective in stimulating antioxidant defense, and improving the immune system.