Pediococcus acidilactici LB 137 and Pediococcus pentosaceus LB 195 strains as potential probiotics for enhancing the growth performance of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is strongly depends on fish imports, of which tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) makes up a significant amount, due to its low level of aquaculture production. Optimizing aquaculture in Ivory Coast through the use of probiotics in feed could help to improve aquaculture. The aim of this study was to assess the growth performance of the Nile tilapia fish nourished with feed enriched by Pediococcus acidilactici LB 137 and Pediococcus pentosaceus LB 195 isolated from the gut of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), strains as potential probiotics during 3 stages of rearing (Larval, Pre-growth and growth stages). The fish feed enriched with Pediococcus acidilactici LB 137 and Pediococcus pentosaceus LB 195 strains in single and mixed were used against control (whitout adding mentioned microbes). During rearing, the ponds water parameters and zootechnical parameters have been measured every week. The results indicated that, for tropical fish farming, the recorded water parameter values fell within the normal range of recommended values (pH: 6 to 9 dissolved oxygen ≥ 3 mg/L, temperature ≥ 25 °C, and salinity ˂ 30 g/L). Data on tilapia growth performance showed that the commercial by Pediococcus acidilactici LB 137 and Pediococcus pentosaceus LB 195 significantly differed in terms of daily weight increase and the protein efficiency rate (PER), feed conversion rate (FCR) metrics, namely for the larval and growth stages. Among all formulations tested, the highest weight gain values were obtained in fishes nourished with feed enriched with Pediococcus acidilactici ON141902 (LB137) strain with 5.22 ± 0.82 g, 54.93 ± 5.5 g, and 177.23 ± 5.5 g at the larval stage, pre-growth stage, and growth stage, respectively. Also, flesh macronutrient contents (fat, protein, carbohydrate) and gross energy were highest in fishes nourished with feed enriched with Pediococcus acidilactici (LB137) than others formulations. Economic analysis showed that feed enriched with Pediococcus acidilactici (LB137) exhibited lowest feed cost/kg (748.2 FCFA) and highest reduction rate of feed fish (13%). Based on protein efficiency rate (PER), feed conversion rate (FCR) metrics, macronutrients contents and, economic values the Pediococcus acidilactici (LB137) strain seemed suitable for probiotic applications in tilapia fish species.