Rapid Communication - Microbiology: Current Research (2023) Volume 7, Issue 3

Revolutionizing aquaculture through probiotics: Enhancing growth, health, and sustainability

Wendy Gordon ^*

Department of Microbiology, Peking University, Beijing, China

*Corresponding Author:

Wendy Gordon
Department of Microbiology,
Peking University
Beijing, China
E-mail:wrgordon@pku.edu.cn

Received:19-May-2023, Manuscript No. AAMCR-23-99387;Editor assigned: 23-May-2023, PreQC No. AAMCR-23-99387(PQ);Reviewed:06-Jun-2023, QC No. AAMCR-23-99387;Revised:12-Jun-2023, Manuscript No. AAMCR-23-99387(R); Published:19-Jun-2023, DOI: 10.35841/ aamcr-7.3.151

Citation: Revolutionizing aquaculture through probiotics: Enhancing growth, health, and sustainability. J Micro Curr Res. 2023;7(3):151

Introduction

Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic organisms, has been gaining importance in recent years due to the increasing demand for seafood products. However, with the intensification of aquaculture practices, the risk of disease outbreaks has also increased, resulting in significant economic losses to the industry. To combat these diseases, antibiotics have been used as the primary method of disease control in aquaculture. However, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which has become a significant concern in both human and animal health. Therefore, alternative disease control methods, such as the use of probiotics, are being explored. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Probiotics have been extensively used in human and animal health, with demonstrated benefits in improving gut health, enhancing immune function, and preventing disease. In aquaculture, probiotics have been used as an alternative to antibiotics in disease control, with promising results [1].

One of the primary modes of action of probiotics in disease control is through the modulation of the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining gut health and preventing the establishment of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics, when administered orally, colonize the gut and compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and adhesion sites, thereby reducing their colonization and preventing disease. Probiotics also produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and enhance the immune response of the host, thus providing a protective effect. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of probiotics in disease control in aquaculture. For example, in shrimp farming, the use of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis has been shown to reduce the mortality rate of shrimp infected with the pathogen Vibrio harveyi. Similarly, in fish farming, the use of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium has been shown to enhance the immune response of fish and reduce the incidence of bacterial infections. One of the significant advantages of probiotics over antibiotics is their safety. Probiotics are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not associated with the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Furthermore, probiotics have a lower impact on the environment, as they do not contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment [2].

In the use of probiotics as a means of disease control in aquaculture is a promising alternative to antibiotics. Probiotics can modulate the gut microbiota, produce antimicrobial compounds, and enhance the immune response of the host, thereby preventing the establishment of pathogenic bacteria and reducing the incidence of disease. With the increasing concern over antibiotic resistance and the need for sustainable aquaculture practices, the use of probiotics in disease control is likely to gain more attention in the future. Aquaculture is an industry that has undergone significant growth in the past few decades. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aquaculture is one of the fastest-growing food-producing sectors globally, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. However, this growth has come with its challenges, including the emergence of new diseases and the re-emergence of old ones, which pose a significant threat to the industry's sustainability. Diseases in aquaculture can lead to significant economic losses, reduced production, and food safety issues, among other problems. [3].

Antibiotics have been used for decades as the primary means of disease control in aquaculture. However, the overuse of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a significant threat to both human and animal health. Antibiotic resistance is a major global public health concern, with the World Health Organization (WHO) citing it as one of the top ten global public health threats facing humanity. Probiotics have emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotics in disease control in aquaculture. Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. The use of probiotics in aquaculture has several advantages over antibiotics, including their safety, efficacy, and environmental impact. [4].

Probiotics can be administered orally to fish or shrimp by adding them to their feed or directly to the water. They can also be incorporated into the culture system to colonize the gut of the host and compete with pathogenic bacteria for nutrients and adhesion sites. Probiotics can also produce antimicrobial compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and enhance the immune response of the host, thus providing a protective effect. The use of probiotics in aquaculture has been shown to improve gut health, increase disease resistance, and enhance growth performance. For example, the use of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis has been shown to improve the growth rate and survival of juvenile abalone and reduce the incidence of bacterial infections. Similarly, the use of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum has been shown to reduce the mortality rate of rainbow trout infected with the pathogen Aeromonas salmonicida. Probiotics can also enhance the nutritional value of aquaculture products. For example, the use of the probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici in the culture of tilapia has been shown to improve the amino acid profile of the fish, making it more nutritious for human consumption. [5].

Conclusion

The use of probiotics as a means of disease control in aquaculture is a promising alternative to antibiotics. Probiotics can improve gut health, enhance disease resistance, and increase growth performance, among other benefits. With the increasing concern over antibiotic resistance and the need for sustainable aquaculture practices, the use of probiotics in disease control is likely to gain more attention and become an essential tool in the industry's disease management strategies

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