Effect of probiotics on the survival, growth and challenge infection in Tilapia nilotica (Oreochromis niloticus)

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the potential bene¢t of Bacillus pumilus and a commercial product ('Organic Green' TM ) as a probiotic in the culture of the tilapia nilotica. Two doses of B. pumilus (10 6 and 10 12 g À1 diet fed) and Organic Green TM (1 and 2 g kg À1 diet fed) were used as feed additives and administered for periods of 1 (groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively) and 2 (groups 6, 7, 8 and 9 respectively) months; group 1 served as a control. Each group consisted of 4 equal replicates of 320 ¢sh. Body weight, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity, haematocrit values and total and di¡erential leucocytic counts (TLC and DLC) were recorded in each group after 1 and 2 months. At the end of the experiment (8 months), survival and individual body weights were recorded. Challenge infections were performed after 1, 2 and 8 months using 0.5 mL culture suspension of a pathogenic reference strain of Aeromonas hydrophila (10 8 bacteria mL À1 ). The NBT values were increased signi¢cantly in all treated groups, except those administered B. pumillus (groups 3 and 6). There were signi¢cant changes in haematocrit values and TLC and DLCs in the treated groups, except group 3, which showed a signi¢cant increase in TLC, lymphocytes and monocytes. There was a statistically signi¢cant increase in the individual body weight in groups 5, 6, 8 and 9. The survival rates of all treatment groups were higher than the control group, the di¡erences being statistically signi¢cant in groups 3 and 9. The challenge infection showed a variable response with the type and dose of treatment and the period of application. The highest relative levels of protection were an average increase of 62.5% after 1 month (groups 3 and 5), 55.6% after 2 months (group 7) and 15.8% after 8 months (groups 8 and 9). Overall, both types of probiotics induced a similar e¡ect. The results show the potential of using probiotics to enhance immune and health status and improve disease resistance in Oreochromis niloticus, thereby improving growth performance. However, further extensive testing, including a full commercial cost^bene¢t analysis, is necessary before recommending their application in aquaculture.Ã RLP, Relative level of protection that was measured after challenge of O. niloticus with Aeromonas hydrophila.Mean AE SE having the same letter in the same row are not signi¢cantly di¡erent at Po0.05.Aquaculture Research, 2008, 39, 647^656 E¡ect of probiotics on the survival and growth in Tilapia nilotica S M Aly et al.

Comparison of fecundity and offspring immunity in zebrafish fed Lactobacillus rhamnosus CICC 6141 and Lactobacillus casei BL23

“…It has been clearly demonstrated that probiotic dietary supplements can lead to improvements in feeding efficiency and growth rates in aquatic animals (Aly et al 2008, Abelli et al 2009, Campa-Cordova et al 2009). Probiotics can generate enhanced levels of relevant digestive enzymes (like amylase, protease, and lipase) in animal intestines, which in turn would increase the digestibility of organic matter and proteins.…”

Molecular Characterization and Dosage Application of Autochthonous Potential Probiotic Bacteria in Cirrhinus mrigala

“…The curves displayed that initially after challenge mortality was observed in all groups however thereafter probiotic treated groups showed high survival while number of fishes declined in groups fed on control diets without probiotic supplementation revealing the immunostimulating effects of dietary probiotic supplementation. Earlier studies showed that dietary supplementation of probiotic bacteria significantly increases the disease resistances in Oncorhynchus mykiss (Panigrahi et al, 2005), Catla catla (Bandyopadhyay and Das Mohapatra, 2009), Labeo rohita (Nayak et al, 2007;Kumar et al, 2008), Oreochromis niloticus (Aly et al, 2008). The ability of probiotic bacteria to out-compete other bacteria for nutrients and space as well excluding other bacteria through metabolite production might have resulted in higher survival of fish (Verschuere et al, 2000).…”

“…FAO (2002) stated that few efficacious drugs or antibiotics are available but with increasing problem of emerging drug-resistant pathogens and the resultant food and environmental contamination therefore, disease prevention appears to be a better approach rather than treatment dependence for controlling infectious diseases. Additionally, antibiotics also affect the beneficiary normal microflora of the host digestive tract (Aly et al, 2008). Such increased concern has given impetus for the employment of several alternative husbandry methods for combating or controlling diseases including use of some beneficial microorganisms as probiotic.…”

Effect of Enriched Artemia parthenogenetica with Probiotic (Bacillus spp.) on Growth, Survival, Fecal Production and Nitrogenous Excretion in Rainbow Trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) Larvae

“…The bacteria could also have improved digestive activity via synthesis of vitamins and cofactors or via enzymatic improvement [4]. Among probiotics, Bacillus strains have become more and more popular and widely used in fish aquaculture [19,20,24]. In the use of live prey, Artemia nauplii are widely recognized as the best natural storable live feed available and are extensively used in marine finfish and crustacean hatcheries throughout the world because of their nutritional and operational advantages [25,26] and have been used as a vector for the carrying of different materials, including probiotics [27].…”