Bacterial profile in Jumbo Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon), Pond sediment, attached surfaces and water column

Buenaflor D. Jimenez and Angeli A. Valera

Profile of the different functional groups of bacteria in jumbo tiger prawn, Penaeus monodon, its rearing water and sediment and surfaces was conducted weekly for eight weeks. Direct microscopic counts were done using fluorescence microscopy and indirect counts using viable plate counts using conventional and non-conventional media.
A total of 158 bacteria morph types were successfully isolated: 32 from prawns, 40 from pond sediments, 48 from attached surfaces and 34 from the water column representing seven functional groups: heterotrophic bacteria, pseudomonas group, vibrio group, sulfur reducers, nitrate reducers and lactose fermentors. Bacteria attached to surfaces and sediments represented the seven functional groups while the water and the prawn comprised only four functional groups.
Highest diversity (D=0.137) between the functional groups within the attached surfaces was attained on the 8th week whereas in prawns, pond sediments and water column were attained at the 6th week.
Nitrite reducers dominated the functional groups in the pond sediments. Nitrate reducers and vibrio groups dominated the prawn. Sulfur reducers were not detected in the prawn.
Pseudomonas and sulfur reducers were notably absent in the water column throughout the sampling period. Nitrate and nitrite reducers were the most dominant functional group.
Vibrio dominated the young biofilm and taken over by the nitrate and nitrite reducers in later weeks.

37th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting. Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. Boracay regency Beach Resort and Convention center, Boracay Island (May 8-9, 2008)