THESIS INFORMATION Thesis title: Study on nitrifying bacteria in the sediment of intensive shrimp pond (Penaeus monodon) Specialization: Marine/Brackishwater Aquaculture Specialization Code: 62 62 70 05 PhD student: Pham Thi Tuyet Ngan Supervisors Ass.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hiep, Can Tho University Ass.Prof. Dr. Trương Quốc Phú, Can Tho University Training University: Can Tho University I. THESIS SUMMARY Nitrogen accumulation affects the quality and sustainability of many aquaculture products. Using beneficial bacteria to reduce nitrogen accumulation has been widely used for many decades. Thus, study of nitrifying bacterial population in intensive shrimp pond sediments was conducted from 2008 to 2011. The research included (1) collection and identification of bacteria isolated from intensive shrimp culture ponds sediments in Vinh Chau, Soc Trang province by biochemical and molecular technique through the cycling culture. (2) Determination of the water quality, the density of bacteria in the water and the sediment during the cycling culture. (3) Assess the potential to improve water quality of the isolated bacteria and their roles in the hatchery and grow-out shrimp in the laboratory scale. Nine strains of Bacillus, 8 strains of Nitrosomonas and 8 strains of Nitrobacter were isolated. Based on physiological, biochemical tests and sequencing results 3 species of Bacillus were determined: B. cereus, B. amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis. One species of Nitrosonomas (N. nitrosa) and one species of Nitrobacter (N. winogradskyi) were determined. Most of the environmental parameters of sediment and bacteria in intensive shrimp ponds were suitable for shrimp culture. Most of the isolated bacteria were positive effect on water quality, decomposed organic mater, improved survival of shrimp and increased shrimp growth. II. NEW FINDINGS OF THE THESIS Several beneficial bacteria in shrimp ponds were isolated and selected for the improvement of water quality in shrimp ponds. The results from laboratory conditions showed that the appropriate bacterial density added in tank at larvae stage was 105 CFU/mL for Bacillus. This was the optimal density of bacteria on biodegradation of organic matter and suppression of other bacteria, especially Vibrio and survival of larvae was improved significantly. Most of the environmental parameters and sediment in intensive shrimp ponds were suitable for shrimp culture. Bacillus cereus was the dominant species in intensive shrimp ponds. This dominant species was not present in Probiotics products (B. subtilis and B. licheniformis). This finding proved that the bacteria species originated naturally in ponds rather than from Probiotics products. Therefore this finding confirmed that bacteria used in probiotics could not compete with native species, and they could only help to stabilize the density of Bacillus, but could not change the indigenous bacterial population in the pond. So, when Probiotics products were used in intensive shrimp ponds, most of the environmental criteria were at permitted levels. Bacterial population decomposing organic mater was stable during culture. Initial nitrifying bacteria was not appeared yet and after three weeks of culture period its density increased. Dominant bacteria in the pond were not included in 1 the species from biological products, but from the ponds. The predominant were the best in water treating, in term of the longest present in the tank and increased survival rates as well as the shrimp growth. So the isolated bacteria were beneficial bacteria and could be applied in Probiotics products. The species B37 (B. cereus) was effective dominant species compared to other isolated species. Finally, four species of bacteria B. subtilis (B41), B. cereus (B38, B9) and B. amyloliquefaciens (B67) could be used to produce Probiotics. III. APPLIED FINDINGS AND FURTHER RESEARCH 3.1. Applied findings of the thesis The results from the thesis provided basic scientific data which could be applied in producing safe and sustainable intensive shrimp culture in aquacultue. The new findings from the thesis could be used to update aquaculture and environmental microbiology lecture note as well. 3.2. Further research - Identification of other isolated bacteria and test of their capacity in treating water of intensive shrimp ponds. - Several field experiments should be carried out at different ecological environments to determine the good effect of isolated beneficial bacteria in intensive shrimp pond. Supervisors Ass.Prof. Dr. Nguyen Huu Hiep Student Ass.Prof. Dr. Truong Quoc Phu Pham Thi Tuyet Ngan CERTIFIED BY TRAINING INSTITUTION RECTOR 2