Beneficial effects of probiotics in aquaculture

Abstract

With the growing claim for environmentally pleasant aquaculture, the application of non-antibiotic eco-friendly agents such as probiotic which is being considered one most significant tool for health management in the field of aquaculture. Generally, probiotics are live micro-organisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. These microorganisms are able to colonize and multiply in the intestine of the host and therefore show numerous beneficial effects by modulating various biological systems in the host. Probiotics or their secreted products found to use in aquaculture to control disease, and replace the use of chemotherapeutic agents. A large quantity of beneficial Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria, microalgae, and yeasts have been evaluated as probiotics in aquaculture. Probiotics application in poultry and swine rearing are well documented, while little has been concentrate to include them into aquaculture. This review provides a concise current knowledge on probiotics, modes of their application, beneficial effects on aquaculture and its application in Bangladesh.