During the annual World Aquaculture Society conference in Mérida, Mexico, ADM nutrition experts shared in vivo trial results that suggest benefits for the shrimp industry when using functional feed additives. François Jégou, Aquaculture Health & Performance for ADM Animal Nutrition, presented Pichia guilliermondii enhances shrimp immunity and growth.
Preliminary studies
Pathogens, environmental stressors and opportunistic diseases are ubiquitous in aquaculture. Achieving efficient and profitable production, especially with the increasing global threat of antimicrobial resistance, is critical for producers. Helping aquaculture species better perform with infectious and physiological pressures is of high interest and a focus of research.
Cardozo et al., 2018 compared in vitro bacterial aggregation capacity of inactivated Pichia guilliermondii (Pg) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Sc), with mannose as the positive control. Pg demonstrated twice the aggregation capacity at all commercial dosages compared to that of Sc (Fig. 1).
Figure 1. Aggregation capacity against Escherichia coli.
To assess the bacterial aggregation capacity of Pg in vivo, ADM performed a bacterial clearance study. Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp were injected with Vibrio harveyi. Three hours post-injection, V. harveyi concentration in hemolymph in the Pg fed shrimp was more than three times lower compared to control-fed shrimp (Fig. 2). It was also shown that the granular hemocyte concentration in hemolymph was 56% higher after four weeks in Pg fed shrimp compared to that in control shrimp. (Fig. 3).
Figures 2 (left) and 3 (right). Concentration in hemolymph and granular hemocyte concentration in shrimp injected with Vibrio harveyi.
Trial in shrimp culture conditions
In order to confirm the potential benefit of Pg in shrimp culture conditions, two challenge studies were performed in L. vannamei shrimp supplemented with 0.1% Pg (AquaTrax). Survival of shrimp five weeks after white spot syndrome virus challenge increased by 84% compared to unsupplemented control shrimp, whereas it was 76% higher five weeks after V. parahaemolyticus challenge. In field conditions without specific pathogenic challenge, shrimp supplemented with 0.1% Pg showed a significant 10% increase in growth compared to the control at the end of a 7-week trial.
“Inactivated whole yeast Pichia guilliermondii feed supplementation offers unique traits for use in shrimp culture and daily management, improving growth while significantly helping shrimp to better cope with physiological and disease stress,” the company said.
ADM functional feeds
AquaTrax is the novel feed additive developed for shrimp featuring inactivated Pichia guilliermondii yeast. “It is also incorporated into our Api Camarón functional feed formulation offered currently on the Mexican market and soon in other global regions. Evidence shows that Pg yeast also has the potential to support other aquatic organisms with adaptive immune systems, so we will be developing formulations for fish as well,” said Yoav Rosen, global aquaculture marketing director, ADM Animal Nutrition, in a recent interview with Aquafeed.com.
AquaTrax is one of Pancosma’s ingredients for aquafeeds and the company plans to incorporate more functional ingredients. “ADM has a comprehensive portfolio and nutritional expertise in feed additives and ingredients, as well as premix and services for the aquaculture industry, including shrimp farming. Our focus is to enhance synergies within aquafeed formulations and specific feed additives, such as the addition of an immune modulator to feeds. We are also developing formulations with original plant extracts, blends of organic acids, organic trace minerals, activated clays and other functional ingredients to address various performance challenges within aquaculture operations,” said Jégou.
But the company already has other functional feeds on the market. ADM recently launched Vanalis Pro, a functional feed for shrimp that is available in the APAC region. “Vanalis Pro features a high-quality probiotic strain and specialty additives that work together to support immune function, assist pathogen pressure, and support gut health. We are launching a tailored formulation for fish, as well. Eventually, we will launch these innovations in the Latin American market,” Rosen said.
An example is a new offering called WeaN Prime, part of the BernAqua feeds, formulated with Life Defense additive blend and high-quality ingredients that provide the essential nutrients for hatchery and juvenile stages. “Much evidence shows feed quality affects growth and performance in the larvae to juvenile phases, as well as throughout grow-out stages to harvest. Our Life Defense blend acts at the intestinal level, improving absorption of nutrients during stress events and optimizing overall gut function for improved growth performance. WeaN Prime feed for tilapia is the first available in the range, and formulations for other fish and shrimp are planned throughout 2022,” Jégou unveiled.
Tackling AMR
Functional feeds are not the only measures ADM offers to tackle AMR. “A key factor in tackling Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is responsible usage of antibiotics. Therefore, limiting the use of medications to therapeutic applications is an important tool to achieve this goal. Good shrimp health management will enable farmers to limit the use of antibiotics as much as possible,” Jégou said. “In addition to our nutrition offerings, we have a holistic solution to reduce farming risks and environmental impacts while maximizing profitability for shrimp farmers. Bio-Secure Intensive Shrimp Production system (BIOSIPEC) leverages multiple technologies, including water treatment to improve biosecurity and prevent disease outbreaks, an aeration system to reduce energy cost and optimize water aeration, and a customized feed formulated to improve shrimp growth and maintain water quality. BIOSIPEC is especially dedicated to disease-prone areas. Our demonstration farm is located in southern Vietnam, while another adapted version is in Sinaloa, Mexico.”
Further plans in LATAM
The company is bringing several innovations to Latin America. “First, as part of our investment in precise nutrition strategies, we are offering seasonal feeds for fish that are calibrated for winter and summer environmental conditions. These tailored formulations will soon be launched in Latin American countries,” Rosen unveiled. “And in Mexico, we provide Api Camarón Dinamo and Api Camarón Prime as the grow-out feed solution for shrimp. Both are designed to mitigate common challenges in Mexican shrimp farming, including production costs, growth and health performance. Api Camarón Prime is developed with extrusion technology, which has enhanced performance over pellets when using automatic feeders.”
