Lactic-acid bacteria isolated from the intestinal tract of Nile tilapia utilized as probiotic

The objective of this work was to isolate lactic-acid bacteria from the intestines of Nile tilapia, and to assess their potential as probiotic. Strains of lactic-acid bacteria were isolated, and inhibition against pathogens was evaluated in vitro. Strains with best results were identified and used in tilapia intestinal tract colonization experiment through supplementation in the diet, in a completely randomized design, with three treatments and four replicates. Total number bacteria, lactic-acid bacteria, Vibrio ssp. and Pseudomonas ssp. were evaluated. The strain with best result was used for experimental infection, in a completely randomized design, in factorial arrangement 2x3: diet supplemented with strain and control diet; and fish not submitted to injection, fish submitted to injection of saline solution, and fish submitted to injection of Enterococcus durans, with three replicates. Hematological parameters were evaluated. Two strains were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus brevis, which colonized fishes' intestinal tract. However, L. plantarum had the lowest number of total bacteria and of Pseudomonas ssp. Greater number of red blood cells, thrombocytes, leukocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes were observed in fish fed with L. plantarum and submitted to injection of E. durans. L. plantarum has probiotic effect on Nile tilapias and improve their immune system.