Bioencapsulated Moina macrocopa Enhances Growth Performance, Nutritional Quality, and Disease Resistance in Macrobrachium rosenbergii Cultured in Substrate-Based Systems

Sustainable aquaculture production depends on nutritionally enriched live feed, particularly during early developmental stages. This study evaluated the effects of bioencapsulated Moina macrocopa enriched in a substrate-based culture system (SbCS) on growth performance, nutritional composition, microbial profile, and disease resistance of Macrobrachium rosenbergii post-larvae. A 26-day feeding trial was conducted with six treatments under two culture systems, SbCS and clear water system (CWS), using encapsulated and non-encapsulated M. macrocopa and Artemia. The results showed that prawns reared in SbCS and fed encapsulated M. macrocopa (SbCS-E) exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) growth performance, with weight gain of 1037.9 ± 0.14%, specific growth rate (SGR) of 9.36 ± 0.03% day⁻¹, and survival of 91.65 ± 0.67% compared to other treatments. Nutritional composition was also significantly improved, with higher protein (77.14 ± 0.14%) and lipid (11.89 ± 0.04%) contents in SbCS-E compared to other treatments. Enhanced fatty acid profiles were observed in SbCS-E, including increased levels of arachidonic acid (5.16 ± 1.21%), eicosapentaenoic acid (9.06 ± 0.25%), docosahexaenoic acid (6.49 ± 0.56%), and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (72.49 ± 0.55%). Furthermore, the whole-body microbial community of treated M. rosenbergii was dominated by Bacilli, Gammaproteobacteria, and Clostridia. A significantly higher abundance (P < 0.05) of bacilli (92%) was observed in SbCS-E, indicating improved microbial balance. Histological observations likely enhanced resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila, with all treatments except SbCS-A and CWS-A exhibiting normal histological structure. In conclusion, bioencapsulation of M. macrocopa within a substrate-based culture system enhances its nutritional and functional value, improving growth, survival, microbial balance, and disease resistance of M. rosenbergii and offering a promising strategy for sustainable aquaculture intensification.