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The use of agro-industrial by-products as functional feed additives represents a promising strategy to enhance sustainability and digestive efficiency in aquaculture. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of bromelain derived from pineapple processing waste on digestive physiology, nutrient utilization, and economic performance in snakeskin gourami, Trichopodus pectoralis Regan, 1910. Fish (95-98 g) were fed diets supplemented with 0, 4, 8, or 12% bromelain for 90 days in a completely randomized design. Growth performance, survival, and feed utilization were not significantly affected by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), suggesting that exogenous protease supplementation did not enhance growth under nutritionally adequate conditions. However, bromelain inclusion elicited a pronounced, dose-dependent modulation of digestive enzyme activity. The 8% supplementation significantly enhanced pancreatic protease and amylase activities. This indicates improved digestive capacity and better nutrient assimilation. In contrast, the 12% inclusion level was associated with reduced activity of specific enzymes, suggesting feedback inhibition or enzymatic imbalance at excessive doses. Despite the absence of significant growth responses, a progressive increase in benefit-cost ratio was observed with increasing bromelain inclusion, reflecting improved production efficiency. Variations in muscle composition were primarily attributed to moisture-associated dilution effects rather than reduced protein deposition. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that bromelain derived from pineapple waste functions as a physiologically active feed additive that modulates digestive processes in a dose-dependent manner, with 8% identified as the optimal inclusion level. This study provides mechanistic evidence supporting the valorization of agro-industrial waste as a functional input in sustainable aquaculture systems.

Purpose: Crude bromelain is abundant in pineapple fruit waste and is possible to use in shrimp farming. The objectives of this present study were to investigate extraction conditions and to evaluate in vitro protein digestibility of the shrimp feed supplemented with the crude bromelain extract.Research Method: Crude bromelain was extracted from pineapple fruit waste with either distilled water or tap water and the pH was adjusted, ranging from 5 to 9. The different ripeness stages and weight ratios of waste to water were further investigated. The highest proteolytic and specific proteolytic activities of the extract were selected for suitable extraction conditions. The in vitro protein digestibility of soybean meal and shrimp feed pretreated with crude bromelain extract was evaluated to determine their feasibility to use in shrimp farming.Findings: The crude bromelain derived from the pH 7 preboiled tap water extract exhibited the highest values of both proteolytic activities. The weight ratio of fruit waste to water of 1:0.5 and a ripeness stage of more than 50% yellow peel were the conditions suitable to obtain the highest values of both activities. The in vitro protein digestibility of shrimp feed pretreated with crude bromelain was 68.68 ± 2.70 %, which indicated promotion capability for protein digestion in shrimp during shrimp farming.Research Limitations: A suitable crushing tool for pineapple peel was not available. Therefore, the fragments after crushing the peel were not consistent. Originality/Value: The crude bromelain can be extracted with tap water and used to supplement shrimp feed for the promotion of digestibility.

This study used pineapple waste crude extract (PWCE) to increase the potential of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production for food sustainability and stability. The objective was to investigate the appropriate technique to increase the yield production and quality of shrimp and decrease waste from shrimp culture. Pacific white shrimp (average body size: 0.51 g) were fed with commercial feed supplemented with PWCE at various concentrations of 0 (control), 90, 170, and 250 ppt. Shrimp were fed five times per day for 80 days. At the end of the trial, the results showed that shrimp fed with the PWCE 250 ppt supplementation provided the highest growth rate and the best feed utilisation and yield ( ). The protein content of whole shrimp in all shrimp fed with the PWCE supplementation diet was higher than that in the control group ( ). On the contrary, the variation of endogenous digestive enzymes, including protease, trypsin, and the T/C ratio, was significantly lower in shrimp fed a diet supplemented with PWCE 250 ppt ( ). While in this group, the number of microorganisms on thiosulfate-citrate-bile salt-sucrose (TCBS), blood agar, and trypticase soy agar (TSA) was lowest ( ). Furthermore, the dietary PWCE at 250 ppt increased the volume of microvilli in the hindgut of shrimp, but the supplementation at 170 ppt improved the number of F-cells in the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas. Nevertheless, the supplementation of PWCE in the diet did not affect the water quality ( ). Therefore, pineapple waste crude extract supplementation improves both quantitative and qualitative yields and tends to reduce waste.