Every Than Vuong product is grounded in international microbial science consensus — ISAPP and peer-reviewed shrimp research. This page summarises Postbiotic / Probiotic / Prebiotic distinction, microbe glossary, and citation library.
Farmers often lump these as “probiotics”. ISAPP — International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics — defines 3 distinct concepts:
Live beneficial microbes
Live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Common strains: Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus.
Substrate for beneficial microbes
A substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. Includes: MOS (mannan-oligosaccharide), beta-glucan, FOS, inulin.
Postbiotic — inactive cells + metabolites
Preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host. Does NOT require live microbes.
Strains in Than Vuong products and common pathogens in shrimp farming.
| Latin name | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus subtilis | Produces digestive enzymes, suppresses Vibrio, stabilizes pond bottom | Beneficial |
| Bacillus licheniformis | Decomposes proteins, reduces NH3/H2S | Beneficial |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | Gut probiotic, produces lactic acid, lowers gut pH | Beneficial |
| Pediococcus acidilactici | Adheres to gut lining, displaces pathogens | Beneficial |
| Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii | Yeast balances gut, supports recovery after antibiotics | Beneficial |
| Bifidobacterium spp. | Innate beneficial bacteria, thrive with postbiotic | Beneficial |
| Vibrio parahaemolyticus | PATHOGEN — EMS/AHPND, acute hepatopancreas necrosis | Pathogen |
| Vibrio harveyi | PATHOGEN — luminous vibriosis (glowing shrimp at night) | Pathogen |
| Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) | PATHOGEN — microsporidian, causes slow growth & white feces | Pathogen |
Peer-reviewed research underpinning Microbiome Farm Protocol and Than Vuong products.
Foundation: classifies shrimp gut microbiota — beneficial vs opportunistic vs pathogenic
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11805-w →Multi-causal: EHP + Vibrio + parasites. Not a single pathogen.
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.736035 →Official standard for Postbiotic — applies to BIOMAX
DOI: 10.1038/s41575-021-00440-6 →Standard for Probiotic — live beneficial microbes
DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66 →Standard for Prebiotic — substrates for beneficial microbes
DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.75 →TPD — new postlarvae disease threatening global shrimp industry
DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735581 →Microbiome Farm Protocol — a microbial protocol across the entire crop, grounded in the science above.
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