March 18, 2008

 

Lallemand's probiotics helps cut shrimp mortality from vibriosis

 

Press Release

                                                

A joint research programme by Lallemand has demonstrated that the administration of the company's Bactocell (Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5 M) in the feed of marine shrimps affected by summer syndrome could reduce vibriosis-associated mortality by up to 15 percent.

 

The research, conducted between Lallemand and IFREMER (French Research Institute for exploitation of the Sea) also indicated that Bactocell also benefited both digestive functions and gut-associated bacteria populations of the shrimps.

 

Mathieu Castex, who conducted the study in New Caledonia in the South Pacific, explains that when shrimps received the probiotics from Bactocell continuously with their diet, their overall gut microbial content was reduced, in particular, the number of vibrios. There were also less vibrio pathogens in the shrimps heamolymph.

 

Thus, even though they were in the same ponds, submitted to the same pathogens pressure, the shrimps which received Bactocell survived better to summer syndrome than those on the control diet, he explained.

 

Castex said the study showed that Bactocell improved the shrimps nutrient storage process in their digestive gland and enhanced the activity of their digestive enzymes. Thus, by improving the overall digestive process, Bactocell optimises feed utilisation, resulting in better feed conversion rates and growth performance.

 

The present study was able to mimic commercial farming closely thanks to an original experimental system designed by Dr Chim of IFREMER. This system uses floating cages in earthen ponds, allowing to grow "Control" and "Bactocell" -fed shrimps under identical conditions, minimising the impact of the environment on the outcome, a common issue when evaluating a feed additive effect in aquaculture commercial conditions.

 

Vibriosis are one of the main causes of dramatic losses for major shrimp producing countries.

 

In New Caledonia, Litopenaeus stylirostris shrimp species is affected by two major vibriosis depending on the season, the  summer and winter syndromes.

 

Summer syndrome, caused by Vibrio nigripulchritudo  first appeared in New Caledonia in 1997, and quickly became almost enzootic in the first shrimp farm affected. The Caledonia Aquaculture Department of IFREMER works in this direction and the on-going research partnership with Lallemand is part of a global research programme aimed at determining the causes and preventing vibriosis outbreaks in New Caledonia.

 

Lallemand, Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specialized in yeast, bacteria and yeast derivatives, for animal nutrition, baking, winemaking and pharmaceutical industries.

 

Lallemand is the only major supplier of yeast and bacteria that is a primary producer of both.

 

Ifremer is a public institute of industrial and commercial nature whose mission is to conduct and promote basic and applied research intended to identify, evaluate and enhance marine resources and enable their sustainable exploitation.