Aquaculture faces significant challenges due to bacterial and viral disease outbreaks, such as white spot syndrome (WSSV) and vibriosis, which cause substantial economic losses. As an alternative to conventional antimicrobials, this study evaluated the efficacy of probiotic consortia encapsulated in calcium alginate in modulating the intestinal microbiota and immune response of Penaeus vannamei . Three bacterial consortia (C1, C2, and C3), composed of strains isolated from the intestinal tract of P. vannamei shrimp, were tested under controlled conditions, with an experimental challenge against Vibrio harveyi . The results indicated that encapsulation ensured high bacterial viability, with emphasis on Consortium 3 (84.2% efficiency). The application of probiotic consortia significantly reduced the Vibrio spp. load and maintained a favorable microbial balance in the intestine of cultured animals, as evidenced by the Vibrio /THB ratio and the Shannon Index. Additionally, an increase in total hemocyte count (THC) was observed, indicating stimulation of the animals’ innate immunity. The phenomenon known as “immune–microbial decoupling” indicated that probiotics could stimulate the immune response independently of the presence or quantity of pathogens. Although no significant differences were detected in zootechnical performance, the microbiological and immunological benefits highlight the potential of these consortia as a sustainable strategy in shrimp farming. The study reinforces the importance of preventive approaches and opens perspectives for optimization of probiotic formulations in large‐scale cultivation systems.
Abreu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.