View article

Glucose metabolism was extensively studied in Crustacea during the 60's and 70's with an emphasis on decapods. In decapods juveniles can be described precisely at each step of intermolt cycle which last longer than penaeid ones (Aquacop, 1972) and qualified as diecdysis. Consequently metabolic pathways for glucose can be described accurately. This basic approach in decapods can help understand metabolism in shrimp. Comprehension of metabolic pathways lead to draw the outlines for carbohydrate utilization by shrimp: after going through main carbohydrates (CBH) sources, digestibility, glucose tolerance test, utilization by whole animal, hepatopancreas glycogen, pathways of CBH breakdown such as glycogenolysis, glucolysis, substrate cycle, minor pathways, aerobic breakdown, CBH synthesis and glucose utilisation. The diabetic like shrimp is under the pervasive influence of the molting process. Shrimp derives energy from CBH. Even though protein can easily supply energy too through gluconeogenesis. Related to the balance between protein and calories, shrimp sustain optimal growth even at high dietary protein. Maximal growth rate of juveniles can be achieved with high dietary protein level (50-60%) but CBH can play a role in sparing protein for optimal growth in practice. CBH under starch form will represent up to 20-30%. A good comprehension of CBH metabolism will lead to a greater supply of plant protein sources (soybean meal, pea meal, lupin, canola, wheat gluten, rice bran, distillers) in shrimp feed. A recycling of chitin is done with the re-ingestion of exuviae, which tend to underline the capability for chitin hydrolysis …