The use of probiotics during the nursery rearing of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (Latreille, 1817) in a zero exchange system

The present work evaluated the use of probiotics during the nursery rearing of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis, in a zero exchange aerobic heterotrophic culture system during 30 days. Three replicate tanks were randomly assigned to the following treatments: (1) Bacillus spp. mixture (Sanolife Pro‐‐W^®), (2) Bacillus sp., Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus spp. mixture (Biomin Start‐grow^®), (3) Bacillus cereus var. toyoi and (4) control treatment (without probiotic addition). Bacteriological analysis monitored the abundance of presumptive Vibrio spp. in the water of experimental tanks. For the immunological analysis, shrimp haemolymph was collected to determine the granular haemocyte count and total protein concentration. Results showed that mean final weight and specific growth rate of shrimp in the probiotic treatments were significantly higher. Furthermore, shrimp reared in the probiotic treatments showed higher levels of total protein and granular haemocyte. The bacteriological analysis showed that the concentration of Vibrio spp. measured in probiotic treatment tanks was lower than that recorded in the control tanks.     

Aqualase®, a yeast‐based in‐feed probiotic,modulates intestinal microbiota,immunity and growth of rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

Yeast probiotics have great promise, yet they received little attention in fish. This study investigated the influence of Aqualase^®, a yeast‐based commercial probiotic composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces elipsoedas, on health and performance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Probiotics were incorporated in the diets at three different inclusion levels (1%, 1.5% and 2%) and administered to the fish for a period of 8 weeks. After the feeding trial, intestinal total viable aerobic bacterial count was significantly higher in fish group that received 2% in‐feed probiotics. In addition, a significant increase in at least 11% in intestinal lactic acid bacteria population was observed in all probiotic‐fed groups. Total protein level and lysozyme activity in skin mucus were significantly elevated following probiotic feeding. Inhibitory potential of skin mucus against fish pathogens was significantly enhanced by at least 50% in probiotic‐fed groups. Humoral and cellular immune parameters were influenced by probiotic feeding and the effects were dependent on inclusion level. Digestive physiology was affected by in‐feed probiotics through improvement of intestinal enzyme activities. All growth performance parameters were significantly improved following probiotic administration specifically at inclusion rate 1.5% and above. Taken together, the results revealed that Aqualase^® is a promising yeast‐based probiotic for rainbow trout with the capability of modulating the intestinal microbiota, immunity and growth.     

Probiotic bacteria effects on growth and bacterial composition of black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon)

The effects of Bacillus probiotic forms on growth performance and microbiota were examined in black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Shrimp were fed for 120 days with one of three diets; a control diet alone or supplemented with either probiotics consisting of live‐sprayed Bacillus (LS) or freeze‐dried Bacillus (FD). Culturable bacteria counts in the hepatopancreas, intestine and culture water of the three treatments were relatively constant during the experiment. Bacillus numbers in the hepatopancreas and intestines of probiotic‐treated groups increased significantly (P < 0.05) after 30 treatment days and remained relatively constant afterwards while no appreciable changes occurred in the control. Shrimp supplemented with LS and FD contained significantly lower concentrations of Vibrio (P < 0.05) in the hepatopancreas, intestine and culture water, compared to those in the control group. Shrimp treated with LS and FD probiotic bacteria showed a significant improvement (P < 0.05) in specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE), compared to those of control group. Probiotic bacteria have the potential to enhance shrimp culture by reducing Vibrio and improving growth performance.     

Dietary microorganism and plant effects on the survival and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei challenged with the white spot syndrome virus

The effect of plants and probiotics on the survival and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei challenged with the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) was evaluated. A probiotic mixture (PM), plant extract (PE) or powdered plants (PP) were added to feed with the attractant Dry Oil^®. An experiment was conducted with five treatments in triplicate. Shrimp (weighing 11.70±2.5 g) were cultured in 120 L plastic tanks and fed twice a day with commercial feed plus additives or with commercial feed plus WSSV. Animals were monitored for the occurrence of WSSV using single‐step and nested PCR. The PM and PP added to the commercial feed showed high survival, a decrease in WSSV prevalence in shrimp and an increase in the activity of lysosomal enzymes, N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase and acid phosphatase. The total haemocyte count in shrimp treated with PM was significantly higher than that in the control group (treatment I) and in shrimp fed with PE. The results of the present work indicate that PP and PM are good candidates for use as feed additives against WSSV in shrimp cultures.     

Effect of probiotics on immune competence of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

This study evaluates the effect of probiotics, Zymetin, on the immune efficiency of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juvenile against pathogenic Vibriospp. and Aeromonasspp. The experiment was conducted in glass aquaria with same level of feeding under different treatments, that is, negative control (Cn), positive control with Vibrio spp. (Cv) and Aeromonasspp. (Ca), prawn juveniles fed with probiotics (Zymetin) at 5 g/kg of feed but without pathogen (T1), probiotic fed prawn challenged with Vibrio spp. (T2) and Aeromonasspp. (T3). The results demonstrated that T1 showed higher survival rate, total haemocyte count, non‐granular haemocyte count, phagocytic activity, and clearance efficiency compared to other treatment groups. In contrast, decreased number of small and large granular haemocyte was observed in T1. Despite that, THC was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) among all the controls and lowest was in Cv, followed by Ca. Besides, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency against Vibrio spp. and Aeromonasspp. decreased significantly in Cn, Ca, and Cv fed M. rosenbergiijuvenile, while the values were found to be higher in T1 followed by T2 and T3, in that order. In addition, the challenge test showed an increasing trend of total and beneficial bacterial density as well as declining trend of some harmful bacteria in the water and gut of prawn in all the groups tested (p < 0.05).     

Assessing the use of a dietary probiotic/prebiotic as an enhancer of spinefoot rabbitfish Siganus rivulatus survival and growth

The use of prebiotics and probiotics as feed supplements that improve efficiency of intestinal bacteria is becoming de rigueur in animal husbandry in many regions worldwide. We tested the effects of a commercial probiotic (Biogen^®) containing allicin, high unit hydrolytic enzyme, Bacillus subtilis spores and ginseng extracts on survival, growth, carcass composition and feed cost/benefit in rabbitfish Siganus rivulatus. Fifteen net cages (100 × 100 × 40 cm; L × W × H) were stocked with 10 juvenile rabbitfish (10.3 g per fish) each and placed in a large rectangular tank and offered feed at 4% body weight daily. Cages were offered one of five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg⁻¹ probiotic at three replicates per treatment for 98 days. Fish in all cages were weighed at 2‐week intervals and feed regimen was adjusted accordingly. Rabbitfish offered the control diet exhibited lower growth and feed utilization than all experimental treatments. There was no effect of probiotic inclusion level on survival but growth was better at all inclusion levels than in the control. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in growth were observed among fish groups fed various levels of the probiotic. Carcass composition was not affected by dietary probiotic inclusion. Ultimately, when all variables are considered, Biogen^® inclusion to diets appears to reduce feed cost per unit growth of rabbitfish.     

Administration of probiotic Bacillus licheniformis induces growth,immune and antioxidant enzyme activities,gut microbiota assembly and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Litopenaeus vannamei

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of dietary Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 11946 (BL) on the growth, immune and antioxidant activities, intestinal morphology and microbiota, and susceptibility to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP_AHPND) in juvenile pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (LV). Juvenile LV (initial weight = 0.63 ± 0.001) were fed diets containing varying BL concentrations (0 (BL0), 10⁶ (BL1), 10⁷ (BL2) and 10⁸ (BL3) CFU/g feed) for 8 weeks. Growth performance, immune and antioxidant enzyme activities, and intestinal morphology significantly improved in the probiotic‐treated groups than the untreated. Regardless of the treatment group, the two dominant phyla were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas the two dominant genera were Ruegeria and Vibrio. Increasing inclusion of probiotics in diets led to significant increase in beneficial bacterial genera (Ruegeria, and Pseudoalteromonas) and a significant decrease in some known opportunistic pathogens (Vibrio, Tenacibaculum, Photobacterium, Kangiella and Spongiimonas) with the BL3 group witnessing the best. A 7‐day challenge study with VP_AHPND showed significantly high protection in the probiotic‐treated groups, with the BL3, BL2 and BL1 obtaining 51%, 34% and 22% relative percentage survival, respectively. In conclusion, BL at 10⁸ CFU/g feed should be used to help in shrimp production since it attained the most significant improvement.     

In vitro and in vivo selection of probiotic purple nonsulphur bacteria with an ability to inhibit shrimp pathogens: acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease‐causing Vibrio parahaemolyticus and other vibrios

Shrimp cultivation has been faced with huge losses in productivity caused by infectious shrimp pathogenic vibrios, especially Vibrio parahaemolyticus that causes acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). Hence, purple nonsulphur bacteria (PNSB) were isolated from shrimp ponds for investigating their abilities to control shrimp pathogenic Vibrio spp. and their use as probiotics for sustainable shrimp cultivation. Based on their probiotic properties, strains S3W10 and SS15 were selected because of their strong abilities to produce amylase, gelatinase and vitamin B12. However, only three PNSB strains (SS15, TKW17 and STW181) strongly inhibited V. harveyi_KSAAHRC and V. vulnificus_KSAAHRC including V. parahaemolyticusAHPND strains by secreting antivibrio compounds. Four selected PNSB also grew in the presence of pancreatic enzymes, and they were identified as Rhodobacter sphaeroides for strains S3W10, SS15 and TKW17 and Afifella marina for strain STW181. The effects of a mixed culture were also investigated as follows: T1 (S3W10 + SS15), T2 (S3W10 + TKW17) and T3 (S3W10 + STW181) on postlarval white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) for 60 days by comparison with a control. All three probiotic PNSB sets significantly improved the digestive enzyme activities and shrimp growth with their proliferation in shrimp gastrointestinal tract although the shrimp survival was not significantly different. They also significantly reduced the cumulative mortality of shrimp exposed to a virulent AHPND strain (V. parahaemolyticusSR2). This is the first to conclude that selected probiotic PNSB strains have great potential to be used for shrimp cultivation to control vibrios including AHPND strains.     

Effects of synbiotic containing Lactobacillus plantarum 7–40 and galactooligosaccharide on the growth performance of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

This study aimed to develop a synbiotic combination with probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum 7–40 and one of three prebiotics, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), galactooligosaccharide (GOS) and mannan oligosaccharide (MOS). The best in vitro growth was observed when probiotic was cultured in the medium containing either FOS or GOS as the sole of carbon source. The analysis of enzyme activity revealed that GOS induced the highest activities of protease and β‐galactosidase of probiotic. Based on the findings, probiotic + GOS were selected as synbiotic to evaluate if it could promote the growth of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. For this, four diets, including a basal diet with no GOS or probiotic (control), 0.4% GOS (PRE), 10⁸ CFU probiotic kg^?1 (PRO) and 0.4% GOS in combination with 10⁸ CFU probiotic kg^?1 (SYN), were fed to shrimp for 60 days, and then the growth performance, intestinal microbiota (including total Vibrio counts, VBCs; and lactic acid bacteria, LAB) and digestive enzyme (including protease, leu‐aminopeptidase and β‐galactosidase) were evaluated. The weight gain (WG) of shrimp fed the PRO did not significantly differ from those of control (p > .05). Shrimp fed the SYN had significantly higher WG compared with the other treatments (p < .05). In addition, the SYN‐fed shrimp had significantly higher LAB and protease, leu‐aminopeptidase and β‐galactosidase activity (p < .05). The lowest presumptive Vibrio count (VBC) was also observed in intestines of SYN‐fed shrimp. Therefore, we suggested that Lac. plantarum 7–40+ GOS can be used as a synergistic synbiotic for shrimp culture.     

Some Limiting Factors in Superintensive Production of Juvenile Pacific White Shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,in No‐water‐exchange,Biofloc‐dominated Systems

Superintensive shrimp culture in zero‐exchange, biofloc‐dominated production systems is more biosecure and sustainable than traditional shrimp farming practices. However, successful application of this technology depends upon optimizing dietary formulations, controlling Vibrio outbreaks, and managing accumulative changes in water quality and composition. A 49‐d study investigated the effect of two commercial feeds of differing protein content and an indoor limited‐exchange, biofloc‐dominated culture environment on Litopenaeus vannamei performance and tissue composition, water quality and ionic composition, and Vibrio dynamics. Juveniles (5.3 g) were stocked at 457/m³ into four 40 m³ shallow raceways containing biofloc‐dominated water and fed one of two commercial feeds with differing protein content, 35 or 40%. Shrimp performance, Vibrio populations, and changes in shrimp and culture water composition were monitored. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in shrimp performance (survival, weight, growth, specific growth rate, total biomass, yield, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio) or proximate composition between feed types. The 40% protein feed resulted in higher culture water nitrate and phosphate concentrations, alkalinity consumption and bicarbonate use, and higher phytoplankton density. The presence of Vibrio, specifically Vibrio parahaemolyticus, reduced shrimp survival. This survival decrease corresponded with increased culture water Vibrio concentrations. Culture water K⁺ and Mg²⁺ increased significantly (P < 0.05), and Sr²⁺, Br^?, and Cl^? decreased significantly (P < 0.05) over time. While Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ did increase in shrimp tissue, no heavy metals accumulated to problematic levels in culture water or shrimp tissue. These results demonstrate the importance of monitoring Vibrio populations and ionic composition in limited‐exchange shrimp culture systems.     

The Effect of Probiotics in a Litopenaeus vannamei Biofloc Culture System Infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus

We analyzed the effect of commercial bacterial probiotics on a Litopenaeus vannamei biofloc culture system infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Three replicates of two experimental treatments were conducted: a control system (without probiotic) and a system with the application of a multistrain probiotic containing Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., Thiobacillus spp., and Paracoccus spp. applied to the water and another multistrain probiotic containing Bacillus spp., Enterococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. added to the feed. Growth and survival rate were significantly higher in the probiotic treatment group (P < 0.05), and the shrimp in the probiotic group also had a lower (P < 0.05) FCR compared to the shrimp in the control group (1.4 vs. 2.7).     

Effects of Dietary Administration of Probiotic Halomonas sp. B12 on the Intestinal Microflora,Immunological Parameters,and Midgut Histological Structure of Shrimp,Fenneropenaeus chinensis

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of oral administration of probiotic Halomonas sp. B12 (previously isolated from the intestine of Fenneropenaeus chinensis) on the intestinal microflora, immunological parameters, and midgut histological structure of F. chinensis. Shrimp (initial weight: 4.00 ± 0.10 g) were fed diets containing Halomonas sp. B12 at 0 (control), 3.68 × 10⁷ (T1), and 7.18 × 10¹⁰ (T2) colony‐forming units per gram for 6 wk, respectively. The results showed that the total bacterial counts significantly increased (P < 0.05) with supplementation of dietary probiotic B12. However, Vibrio spp. counts significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the intestine of shrimp with increasing dietary probiotic B12. Hemocyte counts in the shrimp fed the diets supplemented with probiotic B12 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than the control group. Both phenoloxidase (PO) activity in plasma and hemocyte lysate supernatant were higher in the shrimp fed diets supplemented with probiotic B12 compared with the control group. No significant difference was found in PO activity in plasma between the T1 and the control (P > 0.05). PO activity in plasma was higher in T2 than that in T1. Cumulative shrimp mortality after 10‐d white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) challenge test significantly decreased with increasing dietary probiotic B12 (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found between T1 and control in cumulative shrimp mortality after challenge test (P > 0.05). The oral administration of probiotic B12 to F. chinensis was beneficial to protect the integrity of shrimp intestinal mucosal layer. In summary, even though the low dose (T1) had some effects on bacterial counts and immunological parameters, only the high dose (T2) significantly increased the resistance of the shrimp to WSSV.     

Well-defined multispecies probiotic and enzyme combination outperforms traditional fermented probiotic applications in an intensive Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), culture system

A series of treatments were designed to evaluate the efficacy of feeding commercial multispecies probiotics feeding with enzymes and fermentation process on the growth parameters and culture environment of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931), in an intensive culture system. Commercial multispecies probiotics and enzymes (PEs) were continuously applied in three different doses, namely (i) 0.2, (ii) 0.4, and (iii) 0.6 mg L⁻¹ and designated as 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 PE during the first 30 days of intensive culture of Pacific white shrimp, L. vannamei (Boone, 1931). The probiotics were continually applied every alternate day, while the enzymes were added every sixth day throughout the trial period. The PE dose for all treated tanks was increased by 0.2 ppm after 30 days of culture and another 0.2 ppm after day 60. Meanwhile, fermentation technique, which has become the common method applied in Indonesia in the control treatment, was added on the same day with the PE group with increasing dosage, following the same trend with the 0.6 PE group. Results showed that the group receiving 0.6 PE showed higher final biomass, higher mean weight, and protein retention efficiency as well as a lower feed conversion ratio compared with the control treatment. Abundance of Vibrio spp. remained below 10³ cfu mL⁻¹ throughout the trial. Water quality indicators TAN, NO₂ N and NO₃ N peaked in weeks 3–5 and then declined after that until the end of the culture period in all tanks. This decline was significantly faster in PE-treated tanks. Multispecies PEs have potential applications in controlling Vibrio spp., maintaining proper water quality condition, and enhancing the growth of shrimp in intensive culture system.     

Effect of feeding Lactobacillus-based probiotics on the gut microflora, growth and survival of postlarvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man)

The present study was conducted to study probiotics treatment in the post‐larval diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Three hundred postlarvae (average weight, 114–118 mg±0.11) were divided in five experimental groups each with four replicates. The experiment was conducted for 60 days. Experimental diets were identical in all the aspects except for variation in the probiotics strain. T1 and T2 groups were fed Lactobacillus acidophilus (140×10¹¹ CFU 100 g^?1) and L. sporogenes (24×10⁷ CFU 100 g^?1) respectively. The T3 group was fed L. sporogenes bioencapsulated in Artemia nauplii. T4 was the control group (without probiotic) whereas T5 was fed Artemia along with control diet. The bacteriological study indicated that the gut microflora of postlarvae are devoid of lactic acid bacteria. The probiotic strains were found to have inhibitory effects against the gram‐negative bacterial flora present in the gut. Growth of the probiotic fed groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the control group. Significantly higher growth (P<0.05), per cent weight gain (132.5%), specific growth rate (1.41%), feed efficiency ratio (FER) (0.45), protein efficiency ratio (1.29) and protein gain (161.6%) were recorded in T3 group fed Artemia bioencapsulated L. sporogenes over the control group (P<0.05). Although insignificant (P>0.05), growth‐promoting effects of L. sporogenes were found to be higher than L. acidophillus. Survival of the postlarvae was not affected by probiotics in the diet.     

Dietary Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation Enhances the Immunohematological Responses and Reduces Mortality by Aeromonas hydrophila in Labeo rohita Fingerlings

A study was conducted to determine the immunomodulatory effect of probiotic mixture on the nonspecific immune response and disease resistance of Labeo rohita. Fish were fed with six different test diets with or without probiotics, namely, T1 (basal feed [BF] without probiotics), T2 (BF + Bacillus subtilis [BS] + Lactococcus lactis [LL]), T3 (BF + LL + Saccharomyces cerevisiae [SC]), T4 (BF + BS + SC), T5 (BF + BS + LL + SC), and T6 (BF + heat‐killed bacteria of BS + LL + SC). During the prechallenge period, significantly higher (P < 0.01) nitroblue tetrazolium assay (NBT), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), globulin, and albumin content were recorded in the probiotic‐supplemented diet group. Feeding all the three probiotics significantly decreased (P < 0.01) the serum aspartate aminotransferases (AST), alanine aminotransferases (ALT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and increased the myeloperoxidase (MPO) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) value. Significant difference in the NBT, Hb, serum albumin, and MPO was noticed in both prechallenged and postchallenged fish. Lowest survivability was recorded in the nonprobiotic fed group, followed by the group fed with heat‐killed probiotics, whereas the highest survivability was noticed in the group fed with all the three probiotics in live form. Thus, a probiotic mixture diet constituting of three probiotics in viable form is found to be optimum to enhance the immunity and postinfection survivability in L. rohita fingerlings.     

Effects of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis (BP11 and BS11) on the growth and survival of Pacific white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei

The effect of Bacillus S11 (BS11)‐ and/or Bacillus P11 (BP11)‐supplemented feeds on the growth performance, survival, immunoenhancement and disease resistance of cultured Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, was evaluated. Four feeding treatments of (i) regular feed (control), (ii) BS11‐supplemented feed, (iii) BP11‐supplemented feed and (iv) BS11‐and BP11‐supplemented feed were prepared and used for shrimp cultivation in closed recirculating cement tanks (~400 L) in two trials, one for juvenile and PL‐30 shrimp at 60 and 90 days, respectively. The results showed that BS11 gave a higher probiotic potential than BP11 for both age groups of L. vannamei in cultivation, because the average weight and survival of shrimp fed BS11‐supplemented feed were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those of the control and the other two groups. The survival of shrimp fed either BS11‐or both BS11‐and BP11‐supplemented feed was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of the control group. In addition, the highest total haemocyte and granular haemocyte counts and phenoloxidase activity were found in shrimp fed with the BS11‐supplemented feed. After challenge with Vibrio harveyi 639 (~10⁷ CFU mL^?1) by immersion, the lowest cumulative death (%) and disease resistance were clearly found in shrimp fed with the BS11‐supplemented feed.     

Diet supplemented with probiotic for Nile tilapia in polyculture system with marine shrimp

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a probiotic (Lactobacillus plantarum) supplemented diet on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a polyculture system with marine shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) as regards culture performance, hematology, and gut bacterial microbiota. Ten 20-m2 pens were arranged in one earthen pond and stocked with 2 fish (41.9 g) m⁻² and 10 shrimp (2.3 g) m⁻², in total of 40 Nile tilapias and 200 shrimp per experimental unit. Tilapia groups in five of the experimental units were fed a commercial diet supplemented with L. plantarum and the other five with an unsupplemented commercial diet (control). After 12 weeks of culture, the tilapia groups fed the probiotic-supplemented diet presented values 13.6, 7.5, and 7.1% higher for feed efficiency, yield, and final weight, respectively. Viable culturable heterotrophic bacteria counts were reduced, and the number of lactic acid bacteria was increased in the gut of fish and shrimp fed the probiotic-supplemented diet. Hematological analyses showed higher number of thrombocytes and leukocytes in tilapia fed the supplemented diet. L. plantarum utilized in this study colonized the gut of tilapia and shrimp and resulted in reduced number of total bacteria and increased tilapia final weight and feed efficiency.     

Dietary administration of Bacillus (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis) and isomaltooligosaccharide influences the intestinal microflora,immunological parameters and resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus in shrimp,Penaeus japonicus (Decapoda: Penaeidae)

The experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of oral administration of probiotics (Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis) in combination with prebiotic isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO) on the intestinal microflora and immunological parameters of Penaeus japonicus and its resistence against Vibrio alginolyticus. A basal diet was supplemented with 0% probiotics and prebiotic (control), 10⁸ colony forming unit (CFU) g^?1B. licheniformis and 0.2% IMO (T1), 10⁸ CFU g^?1B. subtilis and 0.2% IMO (T2), 10⁸ CFU g^?1B. licheniformis in combination with 10⁸ CFU g^?1B. subtilis and 0.2% IMO (T3). The results showed that the total bacterial counts significantly increased (P<0.05) and Vibrio counts significantly decreased (P<0.05) in the intestine of shrimp with supplementation of dietary synbiotics. Shrimp fed the diet with both Bacillus probiotics and IMO (T3) produced significantly higher immune parameters (phenoloxidase activity, lysozyme activity and nitric oxide synthase activity and superoxide dismutase activity) than the control group (P<0.05). Significant lower cumulative mortality after challenge with V. alginolyticus was also observed in shrimp fed diet with both Bacillus probiotics and IMO (T3) than that in the control group (P<0.05). The results indicated that the oral administration of probiotics (B. licheniformis and B. subtilis) and prebiotic IMO has positive effects on bacterial flora in P. japonicus gut, and can activate non‐specific immunity of shrimp.     

Vibrio spp. Control at Brine Shrimp,Artemia, Hatching and Enrichment

Experiments were conducted to evaluate different prophylactic methods to control the bacterial load in brine shrimp, Artemia, hatching. The first experiment evaluated three treatments to control Vibrio spp. during the Artemia hatching: microalgae (Chaetoceros calcitrans), probiotic (Bacillus spp.), and antibiotic (Florfenicol). In the second experiment, Artemia metanauplius were enriched in distinct treatments with C. calcitrans, probiotic, and emulsion rich in docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic fatty acids. Enriched Artemia metanauplius and nauplii (control) were offered to white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, postlarvae (PL₇–PL₁₉). Presumptive Vibrio were quantified in Artemia, PL, and rearing water. Microalgae and probiotic were effective to control Vibrio spp. in Artemia nauplii. The enrichment process increased the Artemia bacterial load but did not affect Vibrio load in L. vannamei.     

Compensatory growth response of Sparus aurata following different starvation and refeeding protocols

A feeding trial evaluated the influences of different cycles of starvation and refeeding protocols for 7 weeks on growth and feed intake in 14‐g gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata. Following 7 weeks of alternated cycles, all the groups were fed to apparent satiation for a further 3 weeks. Three groups of fish were fasted for 2, 4 or 7 days (S2, S4 and S7, respectively) and then refed until their relative feed intake differed by less than 20% of fed controls until the end of the week 7, while a fourth group (S7/Rf14) experienced three cycles, each consisting of 1 week of food deprivation followed by 2 weeks of satiation feeding. Control (C) fish were fed to satiation throughout the trial. The fish were fed a sea bream diet (450 g kg^?1 crude protein) according to the protocols, twice a day for 7 weeks. Growth performance and feed intake in continuously fed control group were significantly higher than those of the deprived groups (S2, S4, S7 and S7/Rf14) (P < 0.05). Weight gain highly correlated with total feed intake (R² = 94), and feed efficiency was the highest in the control group than other deprived groups (P < 0.05). The juveniles of gilthead sea bream demonstrated only a partial compensation during the cycling period and even after being fed to satiation for another 3 weeks. The convergence of growth trajectories and subsequent hyperphagic responses of the groups fed according to protocols are discussed in terms of possible costs of compensatory growth.