Effects of potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis T13 on growth, immunity and disease resistance against Vibrio splendidus infection in juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine influences of potential probiotic Bacillus subtilis T13 (isolated from intestine of healthy sea cucumbers) on growth, immunity and disease resistance against Vibrio splendidus infection in juvenile sea cucumbers Apostichopus japonicus. Animals were fed with diets containing B. subtilis T13 at 0, 105, 107 and 109 CFU/g for 30 days, respectively. At the end of the growth trial, fifteen sea cucumbers from each aquarium were sampled for immune indices measurement. Then twenty sea cucumbers from each replicate were challenged with V. splendidus. Results showed that administration of B. subtilis T13 had significant effect on the specific growth rates (SGR) of sea cucumbers (P < 0.05). Phagocytosis, respiratory burst activity and total nitric oxide synthase (T-NOS) activity were significantly improved in coelomocytes of sea cucumbers fed with T13 at 109 CFU/g diet (P < 0.05). The highest values of the total coelomocytes counts (TCC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were found in sea cucumbers fed diet containing T13 at 109 CFU/g. The cumulative mortality after V. splendidus challenge decreased significantly in sea cucumbers fed with T13 at dose of 109 CFU/g (P < 0.05). The present study confirmed the potential beneficial effects of B. subtilis T13 as dietary probiotic in juvenile A. japonicus.

► A probiotic Bacillus subtilis T13 was isolated from the healthy sea cucumber.
► It improved the growth, immune responses and disease resistance of sea cucumber.
► The beneficial dosage of dietary B. subtilis T13 is 109 CFU/g diet.