Intestinal microbiota diversity of the flat fish Solea senegalensis (Kaup, 1858) following probiotic administration

Abstract

Pleuronectiforms are an important group of fish, and one of their species, Solea senegalensis (Kaup 1858), has been extensively studied at different levels, although information about its intestinal microbiota and the effects of different factors on it is very scarce. Modern aquaculture industry demands strategies which help to maintain a microbiologically healthy environment and an environmentally friendly aquaculture. In this context, probiotics seem to offer an attractive alternative. The intake of probiotics could modify the composition of the intestinal microbiota, which is a key component in excluding potential invaders and maintaining health. The aim of this study was to evaluate by 16S rRNA gene analysis using polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis the effect of administering fresh or lyophilized cells of Pdp11 on the intestinal microbiota of farmed Senegalese sole, using sodium alginate to facilitate the incorporation of bacterial cells to the feed. The results obtained showed that the composition of fish intestinal microbiota was affected when fish received a diet supplemented with sodium alginate and fresh or lyophilized probiotic cells. In all cases, the dominant bacterial groups belonged to γ-Proteobacteria and mainly the Vibrio species. The use of sodium alginate reduced the incidence of populations with <97% 16S rRNA gene sequence identity to uncultured microorganisms in the intestinal microbiota until non-detected limits. On the other hand, the supplementation of the diet with probiotics produced an increase of the predominant species related to Vibrio genus.