This study was conducted to evaluate different doses of two species of Bacillus (Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis), on growth parameters, chemical composition of fish, activity of liver, and digestive enzymes of Asian sea bass. During 8 weeks, juvenile Asian sea bass received diets supplemented with 1 × 10, 1 × 10, and 1 × 10 CFU g probiotic in addition to a control diet without added microorganisms. At the end of the trial, growth indices (total weight, total length, specific growth rate, total weight gain, food conversion ratio, and condition factor), body composition (crude protein, crude lipid, ash, and dry matter), digestive enzymes (protease, lipase, and amylase), liver enzymes [aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)], immunologic indicators (lysozyme), and hematological parameters [hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs)] were assessed. Asian sea bass receiving diets supplemented with probiotic Bacillus (Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis) showed significantly better growth than those fed the basal diet (control). Regarding body composition, total protein levels and dry matter were higher and lipid levels were lower in fish fed the diet containing 1 × 10 CFU g probiotic compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Digestive enzymes (protease, lipase, and amylase) and hematological parameters (RBC, WBC, and Hb) were all highest in fish fed diet supplemented with 1 × 10 CFU g probiotic Bacillus. Also, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) were lower in fish fed diet supplemented with 1 × 10 CFU g probiotic Bacillus. Being that supplementation of 1 × 10 CFU g of Bacillus in the diet is the dose which delivers the best results.

The present study investigates the effects of dietary commercial Bacilli probiotic (Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) on the growth performance, feed efficiency, body composition and immune parameters of Litopenaeus vannamei. The L. vannamei postlarvae were supplied and acclimated (in 500‐L tanks) to laboratory conditions for 14 days. The shrimps were fed with diets containing 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g probiotic Bacilli for 60 days. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance parameters, body composition, serum biochemical parameters and the hemocytes count were evaluated. Shrimps fed diets supplemented with 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g probiotic Bacilli showed improved weight gain, total length, specific growth rate, FCR and survival compared with the control group. The body composition studies revealed higher dry matter, crude protein and ash in shrimps fed with 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g probiotic Bacilli. Also, dietary administration of 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g probiotic Bacilli decreased serum glucose and cortisol levels. However, significantly increased total protein, lysozyme and hemocyte cell count were noticed in shrimps fed 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g probiotic Bacilli. In general, the findings of this study proved that oral administration of 1 × 104 and 1 × 108 CFU/g commercial probiotic Bacilli improved growth performance, feed utilization and immune parameters in whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

No abstract