Probiotic yeast enhances growth performance of rohu (Labeo rohita) through upgrading hematology, and intestinal microbiota and morphology

Abstract

Probiotics play an important role as bio-friendly substances in ensuring the sustainability and profitability of aquaculture. In the present study, we examined the effects of probiotic brewer's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth, feed utilization, hemato-biochemical indices, intestinal microbiota and intestinal morphometry of rohu, Labeo rohita. A trial of 90 days was conducted in which rohu fingerlings were fed under four different treatment groups in aquaria, receiving S. cerevisiae at 0, 1, 2 and 4 g/kg diet, respectively. Growth parameters (weight gain and specific growth rate), feed utilization (feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio), hematobiochemical indices (hemoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell and glucose), intestinal microbiota (total viable, lactic acid bacteria and yeast count) and intestinal morphology (villi length, villi width, crypt depth, thickness of villi wall etc.) were analyzed at the end of feeding trial. The results demonstrated substantial development in the growth performance, feed utilization and hematobiochemical indices in rohu fed probiotic incorporated diet compared to control diet. There were noticeable variations in intestinal microbiota and intestinal morphology between the treated and control diet fed groups. These results revealed that S. cerevisiae has a potential influence as an essential probiotic to improve the digestion, absorption, assimilation of nutrients through the improvement of gut microbiota and morphometry of L. rohita. Thus, S. cerevisiae can be effectively recommended as an important growth promoter for rohu.