Modulation of certain liver fatty acids in Solea senegalensis is influenced by the dietary administration of probiotic microorganisms

Abstract

Fish intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem involved in essential functions such as digestion and nutrition and it is influenced by a range of factors. Probiotics are administered to farmed fish through the diet, being able to affect the intestinal microbiota. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the dietary administration of two probiotic diets containing two Shewanella spp. strains, Pdp11 and Pdp13 (diets II and III) on the intestinal microbiota of farmed Solea senegalensis specimens, as well as on the fatty acid contents of their liver.

The results demonstrate a modulation of sole intestinal microbiota by assayed probiotic diets. Both probiotic diets increased the presence of Shewanella spp. members in the microbiota. This increase was especially important in fish treated with Pdp13, where changes also included decreased presence of Vibrio spp. members. In addition, principal component analysis of data obtained indicates correlation between species observed in fish fed Pdp13 and liver linoleic and linolenic acid levels. Moreover, species comprising the intestinal microbiota in fish fed Pdp11 were related to lower lipid droplet presence in liver and enterocytes.