Use of mixture design to construct a consortium of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extract and potentially probiotic Bacillus strain to confer protection against vibriosis in Artemia culture.

Background: To find a biological control treatment applicable to shrimp hatcheries, the influence of the dietary administration of a consortium of two date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruit extracts and potentially probiotic Bacillus strain on Artemia culture was studied. Challenge tests were performed with virulent Vibrio alginolyticus to assess the protective effects of Deglet Nour and Degla fruit extracts alone or in conjunction with potentially probiotic Bacillus strain.

Results: Under the conducted bioassays, where Deglet Nour and Degla fruit extracts were used singly or in association with potentially probiotic Bacillus strain, the survival and growth rates of Artemia nauplii were improved. Nauplii protection against virulent Vibrio strain was highest using a feed comprising 2.7% Deglet Nour/97.3% Deglat extract and no Bacillus bacteria.

Conclusion: The present findings provide evidence that the use of palm fruit extracts singly or in conjunction with potentially probiotic Bacillus strain has tremendous potential as a biocontrol treatment for Artemia culture, particularly with regard to improving culture conditions and the ability to inhibit bacterial pathogens under in vivo conditions.