Method for reduction of pathogenic bacteria in an aqueous environment

Abstract

A composition and method for reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria in an aquatic environment. The composition includes isolated Bacillus cereus which are able to reduce a number of well known pathogenic bacterium from aquatic environments.

1 . A method for reducing levels of pathogenic bacteria in an aquatic environment comprising: 
 adding a sufficient amount of a composition or an isolated bacterium from the genus  Bacillus cereus  to the aquatic environment to cause a reduction in the pathogenic bacteria.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 determining the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the aquatic environment before and after addition of the composition; and    adding a second dose of the composition to the aquatic environment to cause a further reduction in the pathogenic bacteria.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 determining the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the aquatic environment before and after addition of the composition; and    adding a second dose of the composition to the aquatic environment to cause a further reduction in the pathogenic bacteria.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein 20 to 60 milliliters of the composition having from 4×10 8  to 6×10 8  of the  bacillus cereus  is added per 1,000 gallons of aquatic environment.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aquatic environment is a koi pond.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aquatic environment is saltwater.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the aquatic environment if freshwater.  
   
   
       8 . A method for reducing the levels of fish morbidity in an aquatic environment comprising: 
 adding a sufficient amount of a composition of an isolated bacterium from the genus  Bacillus cereus  to the aquatic environment to cause a reduction in pathogenic bacterium in the aquatic environment.    
   
   
       9 . A method for reducing the levels of fish morbidity in an aquatic environment comprising: 
 adding a sufficient amount of the composition of  claim 8  to the aquatic environment to cause a reduction in pathogenic bacterium in the aquatic environment.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 determining the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the aquatic environment before and after addition of the composition;    determining the approximate number of fish in the aquatic environment before and after the addition of the composition to the aquatic environment; and    adding a second dose of the composition to the aquatic environment to cause a further reduction in the pathogenic bacteria.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 determining the levels of pathogenic bacteria in the aquatic environment before and after addition of the composition;    determining the approximate number of fish in the aquatic environment before and after the addition of the composition to the aquatic environment; and    adding a second dose of the composition to the aquatic environment to cause a further in the pathogenic bacteria.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the fish is  Tilapia.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein 20 to 60 milliliters of the composition having from 4×10 8  to 6×10 8  of the  Bacillus cereus  is added per 1,000 gallons of aquatic environment.