Probiotics as Biocontrol Agents of Bacteria in Commercially Important Fishes of Manipur, India

The rapid growth of aquaculture has been accompanied by an increase in bacterial disease outbreaks, posing significant challenges to fish health, economic development, and environmental sustainability. In Manipur, India, where fish consumption is integral to the diet, the aquaculture sector has seen a rise in antibiotic use, leading to concerns about antibiotic resistance and environmental impact. Probiotics, with their eco-friendly properties, have emerged as a promising alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture, offering benefits such as enhanced growth, improved disease resistance, and better water quality management. This research aims to better understand the bacterial flora of the GI tract of the fishes along with isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria and probiotics from infected fish in Manipur, evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in controlling bacterial diseases, and establish a groundwork for their practical application in aquaculture. The expected outcomes include the development of a database on probiotics for aquaculture in Manipur, contributing to sustainable fish farming practices and reducing reliance on antibiotics. This research will pave the way for further studies on probiotics, including genomic-level investigations, to enhance fish health and environmental sustainability in the region.