By aquaculture is meant the breeding of aquatic animals (fish and crustaceans) through various means and under conditions which include breeding within nets immersed in the open ocean, wells, or tanks, with or without the recirculation of water. It is a practice which boasts a long history, and which has experienced enormous expansion after the Second World War because of the increase in demand for animal protein to cope with population increase.
Although in the past it was used notably for a range of medicines (especially antibiotic), in the recent past restrictions imposed by legislative authorities aimed at thwarting the rise in antimicrobic resistance (AMR) has led more to a focus on animal welfare. Today, aquaculture has evolved and must respond to the multitude of demands of the present market, requiring controlled nutrition. Water quality, and, above all, animal health.
When we talk about aquaculture, nutrition plays a delicate and key role. Compared with feedstuffs for terrestrial animals, aquaculture feed is decidedly richer in proteins, lipids and much lower in carbohydrates (especially fibre). This means it is essential to use raw materials which are highly digestible and with a high protein content, generally of animal origin. Plant-based raw material, on the other hand, is of poorer quality and has a lower protein content.
It is extremely important to monitor and control water quality. It is essential to avoid a build-up of harmful substances damaging to the health of fish and crustaceans such as additives present in food or nutrients which are not digested into the faeces. For this reason, the correct quantity of food must be administered, to avoid uneaten scraps remaining in the water.
When animals present with health problems which slow growth, worsening food conversion indices, and in the worst-case scenario, this may result in the death of the animal itself. Crustaceans in particular, and more specifically, prawns, do not have an active immune system and may therefore be reinfected several times with the same pathogen: they do not develop immunity, and they cannot be vaccinated.
Today science works side by side with industry to develop feed additives which simultaneously assure nutrition, water quality and animal health. Research is focusing on short-chain fatty acids in particular, and more specifically, butyric acid in its protective (glyceride) form.
Protective Butyric Acid, through a reaction with the glyceride, make it resistant to the high temperatures to which it exposed during the manufacture of feed and its passage through the gut of animals. It thus arrives unaltered in the intestines of animals where it can exercise its functions:
The Eurofeed solution containing Butyric Acid Glyceride, together with other additives, to improve breeding parameters and intestinal health in aquaculture. The recommended dose is 1-2 grammes per Kg of feed.
Prebiotic complex designed to maintain normal intestinal functionality and to restore it to normal rapidly in the event of change. The mix is made up of a specific mix of plant based raw materials, each heat-treated to a certain temperature for a determined period of time to alter the structure of the dietary fibre starch, which makes it effective in reducing diarrhoea. This product enables the production of well-formed stools and prevents or resolves the occurrence of intestinal dysfunction. The components which round out the products are Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) which block colonisation of the digestive tract, Beta-glucans (which stimulate immunity at the intestinal and systemic levels), Nucleotides (help the proliferation of enterocytes, improving the regeneration of the intestinal wall).
These are easily absorbed and improve bodily functions, health, and performance.
Available in: Protein, Glycinate and Methionate form.
Produced in powder and liquid form.
Natural binder for pellets which improve their quality while simultaneously reducing dust. Produced in dry form.
