The effects of two dietary synbiotics on growth performance, hematological parameters, and nonspecific immune responses in Japanese Eel

ObjectiveFeed additives have attracted increased attention in aquaculture due to their ability to modulate fish gut microbiota, resulting in improved fish growth and immunity. This study assessed the effects of two synbiotics in Japanese Eel Anguilla japonica: Bacillus subtilis with mannooligosaccharides (MOS) and Enterococcus faecium with fructooligosaccharides (FOS).MethodsSix diets, including a control (CON) diet, oxytetracycline (OTC) diet, and four synbiotic diets (B. subtilis at 1 x 106 or 1 x 107 colony-forming units [CFU]/g with MOS at 5 g/kg [BS6MO and BS7MO; collectively, BSMOS diets] and E. faecium at 1 x 106 or 1 x 107 CFU/g with FOS at 5 g/kg [EF6FO and EF7FO; collectively, EFFOS diets]), were fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (average weight +/- SD = 6.00 +/- 0.07 g) for 8 weeks.ResultFish fed the BSMOS diets showed significantly higher weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency compared to fish fed the CON and OTC diets, but the values were not significantly different from those of fish fed the EFFOS diets. Weight gain and SGR of fish that were given EFFOS diets were not significantly different from those of fish fed all other diets. Fish fed the OTC diet showed a higher mean aspartate aminotransferase level, although the difference was not statistically significant. The myeloperoxidase activity of fish fed the BS7MO diet was significantly higher than those of fish receiving all other diets, and the superoxide dismutase activity of fish fed the BS7MO diet was also significantly higher than that of fish fed the EF7FO diet. Overall, the BSMOS synbiotic diets were significantly more effective than the CON diet in enhancing fish survival against a Vibrio anguillarum challenge.ConclusionOur findings suggest that synbiotics can be a preferable alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture. The Japanese Eel is an economically important fish in Korea, but its aquaculture is fraught with disease challenges and slow growth. By adding synbiotics (blends of prebiotics and probiotics) to the Japanese Eel's diet, growth and immunity were improved, suggesting a potential alternative to antibiotics.Impact statement