Effects of binders on stability and palatability of formulated dry compounded diets for spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract

Experimental trials were conducted to formulate a palatable dry compounded diet for subadults of the spiny lobster Panulirus homarus in the size range 103-114 mm, using ingredients derived from natural sources in a desirable combination of 54.5% crude protein. Since the diet exhibited low stability, series of experiments were conducted further using different combinations of binders sourced from plant as well as synthetic origin to derive a stable and palatable pellet diet. Among 35 test diets formulated, diet with good palatability and maximum pellet stability (85.55 ± 5.94% for 8 h) were identified as the pellets made with binders in combination of sodium alginate (3%), ‘stick on’ a commercial phytochemical (1%) and agar agar (3%). This combination of binders was found suitable for artificial pelleted diet prepared for subadults of P. homarus.