September 15, 2016

Lallemand participates in Aquaculture Chennai 2016

Lallemand participated in Aquaculture Chennai 2016, held August 23-24 in Chennai, India, as Platinum sponsor and invited speaker.

The theme of the international conference was "Reflect & Restore Tempo of Vannamei Shrimp Farming in India". It was jointly organised by the World Aquaculture Society - Asia Pacific Chapter and Tamil Nadu Fisheries University.

Lallemand was represented by Goud Dhanunajaya, Technical Sales Manager - South Asia, and Stéphane Ralite, Aquaculture Product Manager.

Ralite delivered a talk on "A novel approach in securing aquaculture production with a synergetic association of yeast extracts," which highlighted challenges of shrimp farm management and the development of innovative microbial-based solutions. At a time of increasing health and pathogen challenges in shrimp farming, the presentation attracted much interest from the audience.

Today, shrimp farming is becoming increasingly complex. It is challenged by emerging pathologies (e.g. EMS, EHP, white faeces), while environmental pressure and food demand are increasing. Ralite compared pond management to a three-legged stool: "It results from a delicate balance between shrimp physiology (immunity, nutrition, oxidative status and more), water and feed management (microbial and nutrients balance) and pathogen pressure." He focused the discussion on the microbial management of the pond, possible through biocontrol or bioremediation strategies, and gut microbial management through the use of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in feed.

Ralite then described the development of a new yeast-based solution. Thanks to careful strain screening and selection - and the in-depth characterisation of yeast fractions, in particular their binding and immune modulation properties - scientists at Lallemand have developed a synergistic alliance of specific strains of inactivated yeast. Called YANG, the new solution was shown to contribute to improving binding capacities, immune modulation and mucus production in fish. The scientists had also conducted in vivo trials in Vietnam during an AHPND (EMS) challenge. Shrimp survival was significantly improved by the yeast derivative. It thus appears that the use of specific microbial solutions in feed, together with environmental management practices and microbial control of the water and pond bottom, can work together to optimise shrimp performance and health during pathogen challenge.