Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Orono, Maine » National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #282225
Title: Evaluation of the prebiotic, Previda, on performance characteristics, intestinal microbial community, immune function and intestinal tract morphology of Altantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Author
item Burr, Gary
item Wolters, William
item Barrows, Frederic
item Hume, Michael

Submitted to: USDA-ARS Research Notes
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2012
Publication Date: 5/22/2012
Citation: Burr, G.S., Wolters, W.R., Barrows, F., Hume, M.E. 2012. Evaluation of the prebiotic, Previda, on performance characteristics, intestinal microbial community, immune function and intestinal tract morphology of Altantic salmon (Salmo salar). USDA-ARS Research Notes. USDA ARS Research Report submitted to Temple Inland, Inc.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Research into the use of non-nutritive feed supplements to enhance growth and disease resistance has increased due to concerns about antibiotics and their residues. The use of prebiotics, supplements that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria, is increasing in aquafeeds. This study examined the effects of a prebiotic, Previda, on the growth performance, intestinal microbial community and immune functions of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. Atlantic salmon smolts (130.7 g/fish initial weight) were stocked into 0.19 m3 aquaria at a rate of 40 fish per aquaria. Six replicate aquaria were fed one of 4 diets; a fishmeal reference diet, a diet containing 0.75% Previda, a diet containing 1.25% Previda, or a diet containing 1% inulin. The fish were fed to satiation using automated feeders for 12 weeks. The growth performance did not vary among the treatment groups. The fish fed the 1.25% Previda and 1% inulin had lower intestinal damage from the diets than the other treatments. Also the microbial communities varied among treatments, with the fish fed the inulin diet having a distinct community and the Previda fed salmon having distinct attached community. Adding 1.25% Previda or 1% inulin did not affect the performance of Atlantic salmon raised in a recirculating aquaculture system, but it did alter the microbial community. The addition of the prebiotics altered both the attached and luminal communities. The prebiotics did affect the immune system and the gastrointestinal tract. Overall the prebiotics did not affect growth performance of Atlantic salmon, but did alter the immune system, intestinal morphology and microbial community.