Probiotic
bacteria as biological control agents in aquaculture
L. Verschuere, G. Rombaut, P. Sorgeloos, W.
Verstraete-2000
Microbiology and Molecular Biology – Reviews, 64
(4) : 655-671 (from Current
Contents)
Abstract:
There is an urgent need in aquaculture to develop
microbial cona ol strategies, since disease outbreaks are recognized as
important constraints to aquaculture production and trade and since the
development of antibiotic resistance has become a matter of growing concern.
One of the alternatives to antimicrobials in disease control could be the
use of probiotic bacteria as microbial cona ol agents. This review describes
the state of the art of probiotic research in the culture of fish,
crustaceans, mollusks, and live food, with an evaluation of the results
obtained so far. A new definition of probiotics, also applicable to aquatic
environments, is proposed, and a detailed description is given of their
possible modes of action, i.e., production of compounds that are inhibitory
toward pathogens, competition with harmful microorganisms for nutrients and
energy, competition with deleterious species for adhesion sites, enhancement
of the immune response of the animal, improvement of water quality, and
interaction with phytoplankton. A rationale is proposed for the multistep
and multidisciplinary process required for the development of effective and
safe probiotics for commercial application in aquaculture. Finally,
directions for further research are discussed.
(State Univ Ghent; Dept Biochem & Microbiol
Technol; Coupure Links 653; B-9000 Ghent; Belgium, e-mail of W. Verstraete:
willy.verstraete@UGent.be)