The effect of Lactobacillus plantarum on carcass composition, nutrient efficiency indices, growth performance and survival of Narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation as probiotic on body composition, growth performance, nutrient efficiency indices, and survival in Astacus leptodactylus. For this purpose, 96 crayfishes (27.88 ± 0.27) were randomly distributed into twelve 100-liter fiberglass tanks, (eight crayfish per tank). Crayfishes were fed with different levels of L. plantarum inclusion comprising 0 (control), 107 (T1), 108 (T2) and 109 (T3) CFU g-1 diet for97 days. Feeding was conducted at a rate 1.5 % of body weight on a daily basis at 9 am and 4 pm. At the end of the feeding trials, crayfish in the T3 showed significantly higher protein and lipid levels compared to the control (P < 0.05). Moreover, protein and lipid efficiency ratio (PPV and LPV respectively) were enhanced in the T3 compared to the control (P < 0.05). In the present study, none of the probiotic supplemented groups showed significant differences in the growth performance parameters and survival rate compared to the control (P > 0.05). These results revealed efficiency of L. plantarum as probiotic on body composition and nutrient efficiency indices in A. leptodactylus.