Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Extensive use of antibiotics and chemicals in aquaculture for infectious bacterial and viral diseases leads to development of resistant lethal strains of microbes and the accumulation of antibiotics and chemicals in the shrimp, thereby hampering production and export. Use of beneficial bacteria like gut probiotics and immunostimulants showed promising positive results. The present study was carried out on the application of gut probiotics in the feeds of the shrimp, Penaeus monodon, with and without the addition of immunostimulants (1, 3 ? ß glucan). The experiments were carried out in one control and two experimental ponds at Amplam in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh during summer and winter months for two years. The immunological indices in the present study were graphically represented with line diagrams to evaluate the statistical significance. Total haemocytic and phagocytic counts were measured by collecting random samples from the shrimp haemolymph to evaluate the phagocytic activity with and without immunostimulants administered along with gut probiotics in the feeds. A significant growth, survival, increased haemocytic count and a phagocytic activity with resistance to diseases were observed. Immunostimulants administered along with gut probiotics are beneficial, economical, ecofriendly, produce no adverse effects and are more effective than administering chemicals and antibiotics for healthy and organic shrimp farming.

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