<i>Pediococcus acidilactici</i> BCB1H exopolysaccharide enhances growth, antioxidant activity, and gut health in juvenile turbot

This study investigated the potential benefits for juvenile turbot of Pediococcus acidilactici (BCB1H) exopolysaccharide (EPS). Juvenile turbots were randomly divided into three groups (100 per group), and different concentrations of BCB1H-EPS were added to their feed. After 7 weeks of intervention, the number and status of fish was recorded, and their intestine was isolated. The antioxidant activities, gut enzymatic activities, immune capacity, growth performance, and intestinal flora of the juvenile turbot were measured. Compared to the control group, the growth of fish supplemented with BCB1H-EPS was significantly increased. Moreover, the antioxidant and immunological enzymatic activities in the gut were considerably enhanced in the EPS-fed groups. BCB1H-EPS also increased the secretion of cytokines, improved gut flora and the presence of probiotics, reduced the abundance of pathogenic bacteria in the gut, improved the immune system, and was predicted to attenuate some disease-related pathways. These findings indicate that adding BCB1H-EPS to the diet of juvenile turbot can stimulate development and increase immunological capacity, while actively managing intestinal microbiota. Overall, the results of this investigation show promise for the use of P. acidilactici EPS as an effective stimulant in aquatic feed to improve fish growth performance and enhance immunity.