Inclusion Methods And Storage Conditions Of Commercial Probiotics, Bacillus Sp. In Aquafeed

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the inclusion methods and storage conditions of a commercial probiotic, containing Bacillus sp., in aquafeed. The commercial probiotic was included in aquafeed at 0.3% of diet dry weight via infusion (IB), infusion and evenly coated with molasses (IBM) and direct inclusion in pellet during pellet processing (PB). The diets were then stored in three different conditions: refrigerator (7°C), incubator (37°C) and room temperature (28°C). Between the three inclusion methods, IBM yields the highest growth of Bacillus sp. within the first 3 days of inclusion followed by IB and PB. Incubator showed to be the least favorable condition to store tested pellets. The differences were often significant with tested pellets stored in room temperature at day 7 of the experiment (p<0.05). Regardless of the storing condition, IBM diets yield the highest growth percentage of Bacillus sp. Based on the results, inclusion of the commercial probiotics, Bacillus sp. in pellet and further coated with molasses should be one of the considerable methods to be applied in aquafeed industry. In addition, under this experimental condition, pellets with Bacillus sp. could be stored in room temperature only, however prolonged storage warrants further study.