Effects of Rhodopseudomonas palustris and composite probiotics on growth performance, intestinal health, and non-specific immunity of sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius)

In recent decades, antibiotics have been widely used in sea urchin aquaculture to prevent diseases and improve water quality. However, their use leads to the emergence of resistant strains and environmental problems. Probiotics can serve as a green and pollution-free alternative. In this study, we mixed probiotics (Rhodopseudomonas palustris) (3 × 10⁸ CFU/mL) and composite probiotics (5 × 10⁸ CFU/mL) in a 1:1 ratio, establishing four supplementation levels: 0 % (FC, control group), 0.5 % (FL group), 1 % (FM group), and 2 % (FH group). At the end of the 50-day experiment, compared to the control group (FC), supplementation with R. palustris and composite probiotics (containing 60.13 % Lactobacillaceae and 20.79 % Acetobacteraceae) in the FL, FM, and FH groups significantly improved the growth performance of sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus intermedius), including final body weight (FBW), weight gain rate (WGR), specific growth rate (SGR), and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Additionally, antioxidant indicators (e.g., total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)), immune indicators (e.g., acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LZM)), and digestive enzyme activity were significantly increased in FM and FH groups. Probiotic supplementation also increased colonization of beneficial bacteria (Rhodobacteraceae) and enhanced microbiota diversity. The FM group, in particular, showed significantly upregulated expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione (GST), toll-like receptor (TLR), and lysozyme (LYZ) genes. Overall, 1 % supplementation significantly enhanced growth, antioxidant capacity, digestive ability, microbiota stability, and immune-related gene expression in S. intermedius.