Growth and Survival of Silver Therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus [Kner, 1864]) Larvae Fed with Artemia franciscana Enriched with Isolated Endogenous Probiotic Bacteria

Authors

John Carlo Unido, Aquaculture Department, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Binangonan Freshwater Station, Binangonan, Rizal, PhilippinesFollow
Precious Dee Tolentino, College of Fisheries, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños, Laguna, 4030 Philippines
Christian Paul dela Cruz, College of Fisheries, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños, Laguna, 4030 Philippines
Carmela Jhoy Dy, College of Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños Campus, Los Baños, Laguna, 4030 Philippines
Honey Grace Samonte, College of Fisheries, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Los Baños, Laguna, 4030 Philippines

Publication Date

6-1-2025

Abstract

This study aimed to isolate, characterize, and identify endogenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from the gut of silver therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus) and to evaluate their potential as probiotics by enriching live food organisms, specifically brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana), and feeding them to L. plumbeus larvae. Three unknown bacterial isolates were screened and characterized as catalase-negative, Gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria that showed tolerance to pH and bile, growth at temperatures of 30 and 40 °C, and inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria in vitro. The selected isolate was then confirmed as Lactobacillus sp. through partial sequencing of its 16S ribosomal DNA. Different enrichment times (6, 12, 18, and 24 h) of the isolated LAB on A. franciscana were also evaluated, with the 6-h enrichment time yielding the highest probiotic bacterial ingestion rate of 4.45 × 10⁵ colony-forming unit (CFU) g⁻¹, which was then used for the in vivo experiment. After the 14-d feeding trial, larvae fed with enriched A. franciscana exhibited higher growth and survival rates than the control, although the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). Water quality parameters remained homogeneous between the 2 treatment groups (p > 0.05). The results showed that a LAB concentration of 4.45 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ in A. franciscana was insufficient to significantly improve the growth and survival of L. plumbeus larvae. Nonetheless, this study demonstrates the potential of live food organisms such as A. franciscana to serve as carriers for necessary compounds such as probiotic bacteria.

Recommended Citation

Unido, John Carlo; Tolentino, Precious Dee; dela Cruz, Christian Paul; Dy, Carmela Jhoy; and Samonte, Honey Grace (2025) "Growth and Survival of Silver Therapon (Leiopotherapon plumbeus [Kner, 1864]) Larvae Fed with Artemia franciscana Enriched with Isolated Endogenous Probiotic Bacteria," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 108: No. 2, Article 9.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol108/iss2/9