Isolation and characterization of a lipopeptide-producing Bacillus sp. strain JK08 with antagonistic activity against Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

This article focuses on the isolation and evaluation of Bacillus sp. strain JK08 as a potential biological antagonist against pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus in aquaculture. Strain JK08, isolated from a Penaeus vannamei shrimp pond, demonstrated stronger in vitro inhibitory activity against V. parahaemolyticus VP02r than several commercial antibiotics under optimized culture conditions (30°C, pH 7, salinity 20‰). Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry identified three families of antimicrobial lipopeptides—surfactin, iturin A, and fengycin A and B—in the antimicrobial substances produced by JK08, which are likely responsible for its antagonistic effects. The study suggests that Bacillus sp. JK08 holds promise as an alternative to antibiotics for controlling V. parahaemolyticus infections in aquaculture, addressing concerns about antibiotic resistance and environmental impact.