Economic evaluation of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics in juvenile Nile tilapia

Rafael Vieira de Azevedo,Manuel Vazquez Vidal Júnior,Douglas da Cruz Mattos,Leonardo Demier Cardoso,Dalcio Ricardo de Andrade,João Carlos Fosse Filho

doi:10.1590/s1806-66902015000100009

Rafael Vieira de Azevedo, Manuel Vazquez Vidal Júnior + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1806-66902015000100009

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Journal: REVISTA CIÊNCIA AGRONÔMICA	Publication Date: Mar 1, 2015
Citations: 27	License type: cc-by

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate economically the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics in diets of Nile tilapia (4.07 ± 0.30 g), at two stocking densities (0.6 and 1.2 kg m-3). A total of 288 fish were distributed over 32 tanks (40 L) in a completely randomised design, in a 2 x 4 factorial (stocking density x additives), with four replications, over six weeks. The following were evaluated: total feed consumption (FC), final biomass (FB), relative gain in biomass (RGB), apparent feed conversion (AFC), survival rate (SUR), average cost of feed per kg of live weight gain (ACF), total cost of feed (TCF), total cost of production (TCP), gross income (GI), operating profit (OP) and economic efficiency index (EEI). No effect was seen the evaluated parameters from the interaction (p>0.05) between stocking density and inclusion of the feed additives. No influence was observed (p>0.05) on SUR from the stocking density, although this significantly influenced the parameters FB, FC, RGB, AFC, ACF, TCF, TCP, GI and OP. There was no significant influence from the inclusion of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics on FC, SUR and TCF, however there was an influence (p<0.05) on the parameters FB, RGB, AFC, ACF, TCP, GI and OP. The control diet at the higher density displayed the worst EEI. The best EEI was obtained by fish at the lower density which received feed with added probiotics and symbiotics. The best indices of economic and zootechnical performance obtained demonstrate the economic viability of including prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotics in the diets of Nile tilapia.

Highlights

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) occupies a prominent position in Brazilian fish farming, representing around 70% of production in 2010 (BRASIL, 2012)
Antibiotics have been used on a large-scale as strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases in fish farming, and in sub-therapeutic dosages have often been used for promoting growth
These actions are considered to be of high risk, since they result in the development of resistant bacteria, the presence of antibiotic residues in the flesh and the destruction of the microbial population in the aquatic environment (MARQUES et al, 2005; VINE; LEUKES; KAISER, 2004)

Summary

Introduction

The Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) occupies a prominent position in Brazilian fish farming, representing around 70% of production in 2010 (BRASIL, 2012). Antibiotics have been used on a large-scale as strategies for the prevention and treatment of diseases in fish farming, and in sub-therapeutic dosages have often been used for promoting growth. These actions are considered to be of high risk, since they result in the development of resistant bacteria, the presence of antibiotic residues in the flesh and the destruction of the microbial population in the aquatic environment (MARQUES et al, 2005; VINE; LEUKES; KAISER, 2004). Symbiotics are a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics that beneficially affect the host by improving the survival rate and modulating the microbial community in the gastrointestinal tract, selectively stimulating the growth, or activating the metabolism, of one or a limited number of beneficial bacteria (lactic acids), improving the welfare of the host (LI; TAN; MAI, 2009)

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