Inhibitory activity of probiotic Bacillus subtilis UTM 126 against Vibrio species confers protection against vibriosis in juvenile shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis UTM 126 produced antimicrobial activity against pathogenic Vibrio species, including V. alginolyticus, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. harveyi. The probiotic effect of B. subtilis was tested by feeding juvenile shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) food supplemented with B. subtilis (10(5) CFU/g) for 28 days before an immersion challenge with V. harveyi at 10(5) CFU/mL for 24 h. The treatment with B. subtilis UTM 126 decreased final mortality to 18.25%, compared with 51.75% in the control group. Bacillus subtilis UTM 126 has potential applications for controlling pathogenic V. harveyi in shrimp aquaculture.