Effects of dietary heat-killedLactobacillus plantarumL-137 (HK L-137) on the growth performance, digestive enzymes and selected non-specific immune responses in sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicusSelenka

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary heat-killed Lactobacillus plantarum L-137 (HK L-137) on growth performance, digestive, non-specific immune and phagocytosis of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers (initial body weight 1.35 ± 0.04 g) were fed diets supplemented with five levels of HK L-137 (0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L-137 kg−1 diets) for 60 days. Results indicated sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L-137 kg−1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain and specific growth rate than other groups. Sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L-137 kg−1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher protease activity than control group. Higher amylase, lysozyme and phagocytic activities were found in 0.25 g HK L-137 kg−1 diet group. Higher superoxide dismutase enzyme and alkaline phosphatase activity was found in 0.05 g HK L-137 kg−1. While no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in acid phosphatase activity. These results suggested that dietary supplementation of 0.05 g HK L-137 kg−1 diets would have benefit on growth, digestive enzymes and several non-specific immune parameters of sea cucumber.