Dietary Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation enhances growth performance and alleviates aluminum toxicity in tilapia

•L. plantarum CCFM639 can enhance growth performance of tilapia.•The strain decreased the mortality of tilapia.•The strain reduced the tissular Al accumulation.•The strain alleviated hepatic oxidative stress and histopathology.•The strain has potential as a novel dietary supplement for fish.

We investigated the protection offered by the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum CCFM639 against waterborne Al exposure in tilapia. Fish were allocated to control, CCFM639-only, Al-only or Al plus CCFM639 groups. The fish were exposed to 2.73 mg/L Al ions for 4 weeks. The probiotic was incorporated into the fish diet at 108 CFU/g and provided twice daily. Our results showed that L. plantarum CCFM639 significantly enhanced feed utilization, growth performance and antioxidant ability in the absence of waterborne Al exposure. When fish were exposed to Al, dietary supplementation with the strain effectively decreased the death rate and accumulation of Al in tissues, and enhanced growth performance. Moreover, Al-induced changes in hematobiochemical parameters and hepatic oxidative stress and histopathology were also alleviated. Therefore, L. plantarum CCFM639 may be a novel dietary supplement for fish to enhance growth performance and prevent aquaculture and food safety problems induced by Al pollution.

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