The effect of Pediococcus acidilactici on the gut microbiota and immune status of on-growing red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

R. M.W. Ferguson, D. L. Merrifield, G. M. Harper, M. D. Rawling, S. Mustafa, S. Picchietti, J. L. Balcázar, S. J. Davies

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

AIM: To assess Pediococcus acidilactici as a dietary supplement for on-growing red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). METHODS AND RESULTS: Tilapia were fed either a control diet or control diet supplemented with Ped. acidilactici at 10(7) CFU g(-1) for 32 days. Ped. acidilactici colonized the intestinal tract and significantly affected the intestinal microbial communities. PCR-DGGE revealed direct antagonism of gastric Ped. acidilactici with an endogenous uncultured bacterium during a period of reverting to nonsupplemented feeding. Light microscopy revealed that gut integrity and leucocyte levels were unaffected by Ped. acidilactici; however, blood leucocyte levels and serum lysozyme activity were elevated after 14-days' feeding. No significant improvements in growth performance were observed at the end of the trial (day 32), but survival was significantly higher in the probiotic group. CONCLUSIONS:   The study demonstrates that oral supplementation of Ped. acidilactici modulates intestinal bacterial communities in on-growing red tilapia and also stimulates some aspects of the nonspecific immune response. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY:   To our knowledge this is the first study assessing the effects of probiotics on the gut microbiota of tilapia using culture-independent methods. Such methods are crucial to understand the mechanisms which underpin and mediate host benefits.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)851-862
Number of pages0
JournalJ Appl Microbiol
Volume109
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2010

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Cichlids
  • Immunity
  • Innate
  • Intestines
  • Metagenome
  • Pediococcus
  • Probiotics

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