Factibilidad del uso de extractos crudos de microalgas para controlar la virulencia de Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Abstract

DOCUMENT IN THE PROCESS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Penaeus vannamei shrimp larviculture faces significant challenges due to infections with Vibrio pathogens, especially Vibrio parahaemolyticus species, which can cause up to 100% mortality and economic losses. This study evaluated the effect of crude microalgal extracts on two virulence factors: swarming motility and biofilm formation, in order to identify a biotechnological alternative to the use of antibiotics. Crude extracts of ten microalgal species were tested at three concentrations (0.1, 1 and 10 ppm) to evaluate their effect on swarming motility, biofilm formation and bacterial growth. The extracts of the ten species reduced the motility of V. parahaemolyticus and could therefore be useful in the future for the preventive treatment (acute infections) of V. parahaemolyticus infections. Meanwhile, five of the ten species studied showed significant inhibition of biofilms at the lowest concentration (0.1 ppm), positioning them as candidates with greater potential for pathogen control given their ability to reduce both virulence factors (swarm motility and biofilms), with one of the five species standing out for inhibiting biofilms at all concentrations evaluated. Keywords: Larviculture, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, microalgal extracts, antibiotics, antivirulence.