Evaluation of the effect of mono or multi-microbe probiotics on growth, serum enzymes and non-specific immune parameters in rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings

An experiment of 60 days duration was conducted to evaluate the effect of mono or multi-microbe probiotics on growth, enzymatic profile and immune response in rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822) fingerlings. Two hundred-forty numbers of uniformly sized rohu fingerlings were randomly distributed in four treatment groups viz, C (control feed without probiotics); T1 (control feed + Bacillus subtilis AN11); T2 (control feed + Clostridium bifermentans CPSS2) and T3 (control feed + B. subtilis AN11 and C. bifermentans CPSS2), following a completely randomised design. Probiotic bacterial strains were incorporated in feed separately as well as in combination, at a rate of 107 CFU g-1 of feed. Results showed that fish fed diet containing a combination of two probiotic bacteria showed significant (p<0.05) increase in percent weight gain, specific growth rate, feed utilisation, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, total serum protein, albumin, globulin and non-specific immune parameters as compared to other treatment groups and control. Furthermore, a significant reduction (p<0.05) in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were observed in the probiotic fed group as compared to the control fish. Results of the study would be of use in delineating the potential of mono or multi-microbe probiotics for better health management of farmed fish and to boost the overall production in aquaculture systems.