The concept of probiotic administration in aquaculture seems simple: live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits to the host and its rearing environment. However, many factors need to be considered when developing the most effective administration strategy. Specific production goals require tailored probiotics solutions. Different probiotics supplements contain distinct bacterial formulations, which are often not equal in terms of mode of action and, consequently, can provide a range of benefits and different outcomes. Moreover, probiotic strains present in commercial products targeted for aquaculture can be isolated either from aquatic or terrestrial environments, which can significantly impact the optimum ability of probiotic bacteria to colonise, multiply and thrive under farming conditions. Therefore, understanding the different mechanisms by which probiotics benefit prawn production is required for reliable decision-making when implementing effective probiotic strategies.
This presentation will discuss the current global trends in probiotics use in prawn aquaculture and how this could be applied to meet some of the rising demands for enhanced animal health and system performance. For this purpose, research by the CSIRO Livestock & Aquaculture Program will be used as an example to illustrate some of the different benefits of probiotics administration, including vibrio inhibition, activation of immune response, quorum sensing regulation, secretion of antimicrobial compounds, live feed production, feed fermentation and water quality improvement.