Inclusion of yeast Candida tropicalis and Debaryomyces hansenii in diets for tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) juveniles: effect on growth, digestive enzymatic activity, intestinal barrier gene expressions, and gut microbiota

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Abstract

Including probiotic yeasts, such as Debaryomyces hansenii, in fish diets improves aquaculture production and fish health. Some fish-isolated yeasts, like Candida tropicalis, produce antimicrobial metabolites. However, there have been no reports on their in vivo effects. We evaluated the effects of dietary administration of both yeasts on growth, survival, digestive enzyme activity, expression of intestinal barrier genes, and intestinal microbiota composition in Atractosteus tropicus juveniles. We administered diets with three concentrations of C. tropicalis (10⁴, 10⁶, and 10⁸ CFU g^-1), three with D. hansenii (10³, 10⁵, and 10⁷ CFU g^-1), and a control diet without yeast for 45 days. We also evaluated the antagonistic capacity of both yeasts against fish pathogens in vitro. Results showed that lower doses of C. tropicalis (10⁴ CFU g^-1) and D. hansenii (10³ CFU g^-1) improved growth, survival, and lipase activity. However, C. tropicalis compromised intestinal barrier integrity by reducing zo-1 expression and increasing il-8 expression while altering the microbiota to favor Desulfovibrionaceae. Conversely, D. hansenii enhanced intestinal barrier integrity by increasing the expression of muc-2, zo-1, and il-10 genes and decreasing il-8 expression without altering the microbiota, where Mycoplasma predominated. Both yeasts showed antagonistic activity against pathogens. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of C. tropicalis did not favor the intestinal health of the fish. Conversely, D. hansenii at a concentration of 10³ CFU g^-1 is recommended to improve the growth, digestive function, and health of A. tropicus juveniles.

Pérez Jiménez, G., de la Rosa García, S., Martínez Porchas, M., Sepúlveda-Quiroz, C., Garibay Valdez, E., Tovar Ramirez, D., Jiménez Martínez, L., Alvarez Villagomez, C., & Alvarez Gonzalez, C. (2024). Inclusion of yeast Candida tropicalis and Debaryomyces hansenii in diets for tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) juveniles: effect on growth, digestive enzymatic activity, intestinal barrier gene expressions, and gut microbiota. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 52(5), 818-836. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3856/vol52-issue5-fulltext-3205

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