AQUA 2024

August 26 - 30, 2024

Copenhagen, Denmark

NATURE'S ARSENAL UNLOCKED: NEXT-GENERATION SCREENING OF AQUACULTURE-DERIVED BACTERIA TO PREVENT OYSTER DISEASES

Romboli, Valentina1*, Kokou, Fotini2, Lionel Degremont3, Sipkema, Detmer1

 

1 Laboratory of Microbiology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands;

2Aquaculture and Fisheries Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands

3 IFREMER, Genetics and Pathology Laboratory, F-17390 La Tremblade, France

 

 Email: valentina.romboli@wur.nl

 



 Various Vibrio species are known to cause severe mortality events in oyster aquaculture and are a threat  to oyster farmers .  In France, Vibrio aestuarianus, V. coralliilyticus , V. harveyi ,  and V. crassostreae have been identified as major pathogens causing disease in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas ).  This project  focused  on addressing these challenges by identifying and characterizing next-generation probiotic bacteria  capable of mitigating  Vibrio  diseases at various oyster life stages (larvae, spat, and adult oysters) , ultimately enhancing oyster health and welfare. The methodology involved isolating bacteria from oyster tissues and microalgae cultures on a wide variety of oligotrophic media. Sequential screening of bacterial colonies for antagonistic activity against key pathogens (Vibrio aestuarianus, V. coralliilyticus , V. harveyi , V. crassostreae V. europaeus V. neptunius ,  and V. tubiashii )  was conducted using a replica plating technique. For further characterization, isolates inhibiting the growth of pathogens were tested for hemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility. In addition, they were identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and genome analysis (after dereplication) . The sequential screening results are shown in Figure  0.  A large number of colonies (9280) processed via replica plating technique, yielded  42  candidate probiotic strains exhibiting antagonistic effects against pathogenic Vibrio spp. From these 42 candidates, 16 stains exhibiting robust activity profiles and were selected for genome analysis. Ultimately, strain AESF22 emerged as a promising probiotic, demonstrating both efficacy and safety in oyster aquaculture. This research represents a significant advancement in combatting bacterial diseases in oyster aquaculture, promoting sustainable practices within the industry.