The Use of Synbiotics (Prebiotic and Probiotic) in Aquaculture Development

Synbiotic is a dietary supplement that combine probiotic and prebiotic, which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal balance, health and growth. Probiotics are live microbial feed supplement, while prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by stimulating growth and activity of the intestinal bacteria. Researches have shown that gastrointestinal bacteria play important role in affecting the nutrient and health of the host organism. Several methods of altering the intestinal microflora to achieve positive effects such as better resistance to pathogen, enhancing growth and stimulation of the host immune system have been studied in fish and shrimps. Synbiotics is been used as a replacement for antibiotics used to enhance growth and feed efficiency in aquatic organism and is associated with incalculable risks for human health. Studies on the use of prebiotic singly or in combination with probiotic (synbiotic) in farm animals and aquaculture have shown to improve the energy expenditure derive from other sources of food, increase the incorporation of protein for growth, increase the immunity and disease resistance of the host organism. Probiotic approaches have been extensively used but viability after ingestion is yet to be accertain. Prebiotic are chosen to stimulate some intestinal flora (Bifidobacteria spp and Lactobacilli) but may reduce the population of some beneficial bacteria (Aeromonas spp and Carnobacterium spp) in the colon. The concept of synbiotic is quite new and is introduced to solve the problems encounter by single application of probiotic and prebiotic.despite the beneficial effect on the use of probiotic and prebiotic on aquaculture species research on the benefits on the use of symbiotic is still inadequate. This paper therefore gives reviews of researches on the effects, mode of action of synbiotics and their potential for further application in aquaculture production.