Fatty Acid Profiles and Digestive Enzyme Responses of Birgus latro at Developmental Stages Fed Artificial Diets with Varying Coconut Meal Levels in Controlled Environments

This study investigated the impact of different percentages of coconut meal in pellet diets on the fatty acid composition and lipase enzyme activity of coconut crabs (Birgus latro). Five experimental diets containing 30, 35, 40%, fresh coconut meal, and shrimp pellet were fed to juvenile coconut crabs. The fatty acid profiles were analyzed, and the response to different coconut meal inclusions was evaluated. Results showed significant differences in the concentrations of caprylic, capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidonic, oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids, with the highest concentrations observed in diets with 40% coconut meal. Lipase enzyme activity recorded the highest values in the 40% coconut meal treatment, suggesting a positive correlation between dietary fat content and enzyme activity. These findings indicate that coconut meal can enhance both the fatty acid composition and digestive enzyme activity in coconut crabs, supporting their growth and molting processes. The results offer insights into optimizing coconut meal inclusion in aquaculture diets for improved crustacean health and performance.