The effects of dietary supplement with sodium citrate and probiotic on bacterial density in gastrointestinal tract and growth performance of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effects of the addition of probiotics and sodium citrate to the diet of Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) fingerlings, on growth performance and gastrointestinal microbiota. Before the start of the experiment, the fingerlings were acclimatized for two days; 480 fingerlings were distributed equally in 12 tanks containing 50 l of fresh water. Treatments were designed as follows: (T1) control fed with commercial feed, (T2) feed coated with sodium citrate, (T3) feed coated with probiotics and (T4) feed coated with sodium citrate mixed with probiotics. The results of this study showed that both probiotics and the mixture of sodium citrate with probiotics improved growth, stimulated total bacteria, and reduced the number of Vibrio in the gastrointestinal tract of M. albus.

Keywords

• fingerlings
• probiotic bacteria
• growth rate
• prebiotic
• synbiotic