Month: July 2017

SIRF is sponsoring developmental research to maintain the health of farmed fish without the use of antibiotics or other drugs. Researchers at Virginia Tech are treating tilapia with an antibody produced at the University of Wisconsin to determine its effectiveness in preventing infection. The antibody will be applied through feed with dosing compared against a negative control. Fish will be exposed to Aeromonas hydrophila to determine the ability of the antibody to suppress infection. Successful responses to the antibody in this study will support expanded research to other species and pathogens.

Conducted out of Hampton University, the “Assessment for viability and microbial composition of commercial probiotic regimens used in aquaculture” study seeks to establish a standard procedure for the future testing of probiotic quality related to disease resistance in farmed fish. Hampton University researchers are testing 9 probiotics in their ability to promote animal health, improve water quality and boost the immune system. The recently approved second phase of research will fund an assessment on the viability of probiotic microorganisms to live and thrive under specific conditions.