The use of antibiotics as disease control agents has become contentious due to rise in drug-resistant bacteria such as Psuedomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophilla. Studies have shown antibacterial potentials of some probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophillus as promising alternative. Therefore, effects of diets fortified with Lactobacillus acidophillus on gut ecology and health status of African River prawn, Macrobranchium vollenhovenii were investigated. Prawns fed diets fortified with Lactobacillus acidophillus were challenged with Psuedomonas aeruginosa (1 × 107 cfu/mL) and Aeromonas hydrophilla (5 × 105 cfu/mL) using bath method for 14 days. Total viable and total enterobacteriaceae counts were determined on plate count agar and McConkey agar, respectively. Haemolymph (mL), total haemocyte count (cells/mL), catalase (mg/g protein), superoxide dismutase (mg/g protein, respiratory burst activity (μmoles) and survival rate (%) were evaluated using standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at p = 0.05. Results revealed that Marobranchium vollenhovenii-fed supplemented diets had reduced bacteria load, gut flora dominated by beneficial bacteria, enhanced immune system and protection against Aeromonas hydrophila at 103 cfu/mL inclusion level and could be used as immunodulation against Aeromonas infection.
Part of the book: Aquaculture