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By Nayan Chouhan and Bhavesh Choudhary
The application of probiotics in aquaculture not only holds the potential to reduce disease occurrence but also offers several other benefits. Probiotics can help maintain a balanced microbial community in aquaculture ponds or tanks, promoting better water quality and nutrient recycling. Moreover, they may reduce the dependence on antibiotics, which can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and harm non-target organisms in the environment. This article explores the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of probiotics in Indian aquaculture.
Aquaculture plays a vital role in meeting the growing global demand for seafood. In India, aquaculture is a significant economic activity, contributing substantially to food security, employment, and foreign exchange earnings. However, the industry faces various challenges, including disease with intensification and expansion of aquaculture as the fish grown in densely populated environments.
Disease consequences can be devastating, leading to mass mortalities, economic losses, and environmental impacts. In recent years, the use of probiotics in aquaculture has gained attention as a potential solution to enhance fish and shrimp health, bolster disease resistance, and improve overall production. To tackle this challenge, researchers have been exploring alternative methods of disease prevention and control in aquaculture.
“One promising approach is the potential use of probiotics for immunization. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that, when administered to aquatic species can positively influence their health and boost their immune systems. By introducing specific probiotic strains into aquaculture systems, the natural defense mechanisms of the farmed organisms can be enhanced, making them more resilient to pathogens.”
The application of probiotics in aquaculture not only holds the potential to reduce disease occurrence but also offers several other benefits. Probiotics can help maintain a balanced microbial community in aquaculture ponds or tanks, promoting better water quality and nutrient recycling.
Moreover, they may reduce the dependence on antibiotics, which can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and harmnon-target organisms in the environment. While the concept of using probiotics for immunization in aquaculture is promising, further research is needed to identify the most effective probiotic strains for specific species and disease challenges.
Understanding the mechanisms through which probiotics interact with the host’s immune system is crucial for optimizing their application. Additionally, ensuring proper dosages, delivery methods, and timing of probiotic administration will be essential for maximizing their benefits. This article explores the potential benefits and challenges associated with the use of probiotics in Indian aquaculture.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. These beneficial bacteria are known to promote a healthy microbial balance within the gastrointestinal tract and the surrounding environment.
In aquaculture, probiotics are commonly used as feed additives or water supplements to foster beneficial gut bacteria and suppress harmful pathogens.
The Rationale for Probiotic Use in Indian Aquaculture
1.Disease Control:
Disease outbreaks in aquaculture can result in substantial economic losses.
Probiotics have shown encouraging results in improving fish and prawn immune responses, making them more resistant to diseases, and can competitively exclude or restrict the development of harmful bacteria in the aquatic environment (Irianto and Austin, 2002).
Probiotics can help lower the occurrence and severity of illnesses in aquaculture systems by boosting the immune system. Probiotics when supplied in sufficient quantities, provide health advantages to the host by producing an environment that is less favorable to disease development.
Probiotics have been discovered to boost the host’s immune system, enchancing disease resistance in Indian aquaculture. Probiotics prevent harmful organisms from colonizing the stomach through competitive exclusion, lowering the risk of disease.
Adoption of probiotics in Indian aquaculture not only aids disease management, but also corresponds with the rising need for environmentally friendly and sustainable practices. Nonetheless, the use of probiotics in Indian aquaculture has a lot of potential for disease management, offering a natural and ecologically benign way to preserve fish and prawn populations.
2.Growth Promotion:
In fish probiotics can aid in nutrient digestion and absorption, thereby improving feed utilization efficiency.
This can lead to enhanced growth rates, better feed conversion ratios, and ultimately increased production yields and reduced susceptibility to diseases. The use of probiotics in Indian aquaculture has emerged as a promising and innovative approach to enhance the growth and development of aquatic species (Lara-Flores, 2011).
Probiotics help maintain a healthy microbial balance in the aquatic environment, which in turn enhances nutrient absorption, digestion, and immunity in the fish resulting in better feed utilization, increased growth rates, and reduced susceptibility to diseases.
3.Water Quality Improvement:
Aquaculture ponds often face water quality issues due to excess organic matter and nutrient buildup. Probiotics can contribute to the degradation of organic waste and nutrient recycling, leading to improved water quality and a healthier environment for aquatic species (Boyd and Gross, 1998).
Probiotics contribute to the breakdown of organic matter, such as uneaten feed and fecal waste, through natural processes like fermentation and digestion.
This reduces the accumulation of pollutants and prevents the deterioration of water quality. Moreover, probiotics aid in nutrient cycling by converting ammonia, a toxic waste product excreted by fish, into less harmful forms like nitrate and nitrogen gas through nitrification and denitrification processes.
This reduces ammonia levels in the water, which is crucial for the health and survival of aquatic organisms.
4.Reduced Antibiotic Dependency:
Excessive use of antibiotics in aquaculture can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing risks to human health and the environment. Probiotics offer a more sustainable
alternative, potentially reducing the reliance on antibiotics while still promoting animal health.
In this context, probiotics offer a viable alternative to antibiotics. To effectively implement probiotics in Indian aquaculture and reduce antibiotic dependency, it is crucial to conduct rigorous research and develop specific probiotic formulations tailored to the needs of different aquatic species (Muñoz Atienza et al., 2013).
Mechanisms of Action
Probiotics work through various mechanisms to support the health of aquatic animals. These may include:
1.Competitive Exclusion:
Probiotics can outcompete pathogenic microorganisms for resources and space, lowering their number.
Probiotic bacteria colonize the gut and cling to the intestinal lining, forming a protective barrier. These helpful bacteria aggressively struggle with prospective infections for space and nutrition, preventing them from establishing and multiplying. Probiotics contribute to the maintenance of a varied and balanced gut microbiota, which is essential for healthy digestive and immune system function.
Competitive exclusion is especially important when hazardous bacteria or pathogens enter the stomach via contaminated food or water. Probiotics can effectively suppress the development and activity of these dangerous microorganisms, lowering the risk of infections and gastrointestinal illnesses.
2.Production of Antimicrobial Substances:
Some probiotics can produce compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also produce various antimicrobial substances such as bacteriocins, organic acids, and hydrogen peroxide. These compounds create an unfavorable environment for pathogenic bacteria, further enhancing the competitive exclusion process.
In addition to competitive exclusion, probiotics can also modulate the host’s immune response, promoting the production of beneficial anti-inflammatory compounds and enhancing the gut’s overall immune function.
3.Enhancement of the Immune System:
Probiotics can stimulate the immune response of the cultured fish, making them more resistant to infections. This immune modulation can further contribute to the probiotics’ ability to prevent and manage gastrointestinal infections. Overall, the mechanism of action through competitive exclusion highlights the importance of probiotics in maintaining a healthy gut environment and promoting overall well-being.
By crowding out harmful bacteria and supporting the body’s immune response, probiotics play a vital role in optimizing digestive health and reducing the risk of various gastrointestinal diseases in fish.
4.Improvement of Digestion and Nutrient Absorption:
Probiotics can help break down complex compounds in the digestive system, making nutrients more available to the aquatic animals.
Firstly, probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut flora. The gastrointestinal tract is home to avast array of bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. When this balance is disrupted due to factors like poor diet, stress, or antibiotic use, it can lead to digestive issues.
Secondly, probiotics produce enzymes that aid in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These enzymes supplement the body’s own digestive enzymes, facilitating the more efficient breakdown of food particles into smaller, absorbable nutrients.
“As a result, essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are more readily available for absorption in the small intestine. Thirdly, probiotics help strengthen the gut lining.”
The intestinal wall acts as a selective barrier, regulating the passage of nutrients and other substances into the bloodstream. A compromised gut barrier can lead to “leaky gut” syndrome, allowing harmful substances to enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation.
Probiotics have been shown to enhance the integrity of the gut lining, reducing the risk of leaky gut and promoting better nutrient absorption.
Furthermore, probiotics can influence the gut environment, making it more favorable for beneficial bacteria to thrive. By producing short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and lactic acid, probiotics create an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of harmful pathogens while promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
This shift in the gut microbiota composition can positively impact digestion and nutrient utilization. Lastly, probiotics can modulate the immune system. A well-balanced gut microbiome is essential for maintaining a healthy immune response. Probiotics interact with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and promote the production of regulatory T-cells, which help prevent inflammation and immune overreactions.
“A healthier immune system can indirectly support better digestion and nutrient absorption.”
The mechanisms of action by which probiotics improve digestion and nutrient absorption are diverse and interconnected. By restoring gut microbial balance, enhancing enzyme production, strengthening the gut lining, shaping the gut environment, and modulating the immune system, probiotics play a vital role inmaintaining gastrointestinal health and overall well-being.
Incorporating probiotic-rich foods or supplements into one’s diet can be a beneficial strategy for promoting optimal digestive function and nutrient utilization.
Probiotic Strains Used in Indian Aquaculture
Various probiotic strains have been tested in Indian aquaculture settings. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, Vibrio spp, Pseudomonas spp, and yeast-based probiotics are among the most common choices. These strains have shown promising results in terms of disease control, growth promotion, and water quality enhancement.
Conclusion
Probiotics have enormous potential in Indian aquaculture to improve fish and prawn health, disease resistance, and productivity. Aquaculture producers may improve the health and well-being of their stock by leveraging the benefits of beneficial bacteria, resulting in a more robust and efficient sector that meets the growing global demand for seafood while minimizing environmental impact.
The aquaculture industry may embrace more eco-friendly and responsible techniques. To fully exploit the promise of probiotic supplements in Indian aquaculture, further research, thorough field trials, and clear regulatory criteria are necessary.
“Finally, including probiotics into aquaculture methods can boost the industry’s development and profitability while also ensuring the production of safe and nutritious fish for consumers. However, more research, education, and collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and farmers are necessary to maximize probiotics’ applicability and benefits in Indian aquaculture.”
Furthermore, raising awareness and providing technical advice to farmers on the proper usage and dosage of probiotics is crucial for their successful implementation. By using this ecologically friendly method, the aquaculture industry may assist to protect biodiversity and secure a healthy future for both aquatic life and human consumers.
References and sources consulted by the author on the elaboration of this article are available under previous request to our editorial staff.
*Nayan Chouhan and Bhavesh Choudhary College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Lembucherra, Tripura, 799210
