Selection of Probiotic Bacteria from Feed and Gastrointestinal Tract of Stripped Snakehead Fish , Channa Striata

1.0 Introduction

In the intensive fish farms, where fish are subjected to stressful conditions, bacterial diseases often occur and result in serious economic losses. In such cases, antibacterial drugs are usually used to treat the bacterial diseases of fish. However, pathogenic bacteria often develop drugs resistance if exposed to antibacterial drugs resistance and this makes infections more difficult.

The terms “probiotic”, as antonym to the term “antibiotic” was originally proposed in 1965 by Lilley and Stillwell. Most probiotic are supplied as live supplementations in food, which must have ability to survive passage through the intestinal tract (Fuller, 1992). Fuller also said that probiotic is a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance. Probiotic are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast, however lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the common microbes used. From agriculture, it is apparent that the majority of probiotic comprise lactic acid bacteria notably Lactobacillus sp. Bifidobacterium sp. and Streptococcus sp. (Smoragiewiez et. al., 1993). Lactic acid bacteria also form a major component of the normal microflora in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy fish (Ringo and Gatesoupe, 1998)

Snakehead fish, Channa striata is a well known tough fish in nature but not in the aquaculture. After few cycle, the fish is prone to disease since the fish change the behavior from carnivore to omnivore.

2.0 Literature Review

3.1 Probiotic Bacteria’s

Probiotic are generally defines as ‘live microbial feed supplements that can benefit the host by improving its intestinal balance. Probiotic used in animal feed are considered as alternatives to antibiotics (and therefore used as growth promoters) (Huynh A. Hong, He Hong Duc, Simon M. Cutting, 2004). Probiotic are prescribed as an adjunct to the antibiotic (Huynh A. Hong, He Hong Duc, Simon M....