The effect of a probiotic bacteirum, Lactobacillus plantarum on the disease
resistance of penaeid shrimp, Panaeus indicus (H. Milne Edwards) larvae against
the antibiotic resistant luminous Vibrio harveyi was investigated. Vibrio harveyi,
isolated from the diseased shrimp larvae, induced mortality in experimentally
infected mysis larvae within 12 hours of post-challenge and caused 83% mortality
in 72 hours at 1.28 x 10'* cells/ml level. Addition of the probiont in shrimp larval
rearing medium from lO'' to 10^ cells/ml improved the growth and survival of P.
indicus larvae, with 10^ cells/ml being the most effective level. Bioencapsulation
of the probiont (>10'' cells/g Artemia sp.) greatly improved the dietary value of
Artemia sp. nauplii and increased the disease resistance of shrimp larvae. A
significant weight gain (> 70 %) was observed in probiont (lO"* cells/g Artemia sp.)
fed larvae compared to the control group. Larvae grown in the presence of the
probiont resisted V. harveyi infection when challenged.