Lactobacillus salivarius GZPH2 reshapes hepatopancreatic microbiome structure and enhances immunometabolism in Litopenaeus vannamei under farm conditions
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Introduction The hepatopancreas of Litopenaeus vannamei plays a central role in digestion, metabolism, mineral homeostasis, and immune defense; however, its strain-specific responsiveness to probiotics remains insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to elucidate the comparative effects of a single-strain probiotic (Lactobacillus salivarius GZPH2; HH) and a mixed-strain consortium (EM; TH) on hepatopancreatic function under tropical semi-intensive culture conditions. Methods An integrated multi-omics approach, combining histology, mineral profiling, 16S/18S rRNA sequencing, and 4D data-independent acquisition (4D-DIA) proteomics, was applied to evaluate probiotic-induced changes after 90 days of feeding, with a non-supplemented group (WH) as control. Results Both probiotics significantly improved growth, survival, and feed efficiency, increasing biomass by 26–27% relative to the control; however, distinct mechanistic responses were observed. HH enhanced hepatopancreatic regeneration by increasing embryonic (E) and fibrillar (F) cells while reducing blister-like (B) and resorptive (R) cells, alongside greater accumulation of Mg, Fe, Ca, and Se. It also promoted microbial evenness and enriched beneficial Alphaproteobacteria (e.g., Labrenzia, Tropicibacter ) and fungal taxa ( Candida–Lodderomyces clade ). Proteomic analysis revealed upregulation of carbohydrate metabolism, calcium regulation, immune-related proteins, and antioxidant enzymes, including hemocyanin, crustin-like proteins, chitinase, and catalase. In contrast, TH maintained a storage-oriented morphology, exhibited lower mineral deposition and microbial diversity, was dominated by Bacillus , and preferentially enriched proteolytic enzymes and redox-related pathways. Discussion These findings demonstrate that the single-strain probiotic GZPH2 induced a more regenerative, metabolically efficient, and immunologically robust hepatopancreatic state than the mixed consortium. These findings provide multi-omics evidence supporting strain-specific probiotic selection as a precision strategy to enhance shrimp health and sustainability in aquaculture.
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology
Authors: Farhana Najnine, Xinbo Guo, Junpeng Cai
Institution: South China University of Technology
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7154642597