AquaStar®
Fast growth in improved environment
Main Benefits
Improves survival
Inhibits pathogens
Promotes disease resistance through immunomodulation
Improves gut barrier function
Improves growth performance
Improves water quality
in part by reducing toxic metabolites e.g. ammonia, nitrite, nitrate & hydrogen sulfide
Reduces organic matter in pond environments
Improves pond sediments
Increases productivity
The Science Behind AquaStar® – Mode of Action
Pathogen inhibition
The strains in AquaStar® are capable of inhibiting a wide range of aquaculture pathogens, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive (Table 1).
Pathogen | Enterococcus sp. | Pediococcus sp. | Lactobacillus sp. | Bacillus sp. |
---|---|---|---|---|
A. hydrophila | 51-75% | 51-75% | 51-75% | 26-50% |
A. salmonicida | 76-100% | 76-100% | 76-100% | 1-25% |
E. tarda | 76-100% | 51-75% | 76-100% | 26-50% |
F. indologenes | 76-100% | 76-100% | 76-100% | 26-50% |
P. fluorescens | 0% | 0% | 0% | 1-25% |
S. agalactiae | 51-75% | 51-75% | 51-75% | 26-50% |
S. iniae | 51-75% | 51-75% | 51-75% | 76-100% |
V. alginolyticus | 51-75% | 26-50% | 51-75% | 51-75% |
V. diazotrophicus | 51-75% | 26-50% | 51-75% | 1-25% |
V. harveyi | 51-75% | 51-75% | 51-75% | 26-50% |
V. parahaemolyticus | 76-100% | 76-100% | 76-100% | 26-50% |
Y. ruckeri | 76-100% | 51-75% | 76-100% | 76-100% |
Gut colonization
To successfully colonize the gut, probiotics must be able to adhere to the intestinal epithelial cells, enterocytes. Once this is achieved, they can competitively exclude invading pathogens, and interact with the host immune system. AquaStar® strains can successfully attach to fish enterocytes, demonstrating their effective colonizing ability (Figure 1).
Disease resistance
By controlling pathogens and positively modulating the immune system, AquaStar® application can improve the disease resistance of aquatic animals. Figure 2 shows the survival of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), with and without AquaStar®, after a Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge.
Enzyme production
Bacillus spp. are well known for their ability to produce enzymes. In the gut these can contribute to better feed digestibility and reduced FCR. If applied in the water they can break down organic matter in the environment, facilitating the release of highly digestible components and preventing the accumulation of toxic sediments. This effect can be further stimulated by the addition of enzyme cocktails, as in AquaStar® PondZyme.
However, the ability of Bacillus spp. to produce enzymes is highly variable, and the strain chosen for AquaStar® products demonstrated the highest combined protease, amylase and cellulase activity (Figure 3).
Nitrogen waste control
Ammonia (NH3), nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) are all toxic to aquatic animals. The bioremediation strains in AquaStar® Pond and AquaStar® PondZyme can significantly reduce these metabolites, in a range of environmental conditions (Figure 4).
Hydrogen sulfide removal
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is generated as organic matter decomposes, and is extremely toxic in very low concentrations. AquaStar® strains can reduce the abundance of H2S in water and sediments (Figure 5).
Application
The dosage and application depends on the product:
AquaStar® Hatchery
Application: Dissolve thoroughly in un-chlorinated water (minimum 1:20 ratio). Ideally leave for 20 min to 'activate' and apply in the tank water or with live feed.
Dosage: 2-5 g/ 1,000 L or 100,000 larvae at least once per day
AquaStar® Growout
Application: Dissolve thoroughly in un-chlorinated water. Apply onto the feed as a top dressing and mix.
Dosage: 2-5 kg/t feed according to developmental stage and culture conditions
AquaStar® Pond
Application: Dissolve thoroughly in un-chlorinated fresh water (1:30 ratio). Ideally leave for 20 minutes to ‘activate’ and distribute in various locations around the pond.
Dosage:
Stocking density (PL/m2) | Application 7 days before stocking | Application during growout period |
---|---|---|
< 15 | 1.5 kg/ha | 0.5-1 kg/ha every 2-4 weeks |
15-50 | 2 kg/ha | 0.5-1 kg/ha every 1-2 weeks |
51-100 | 2 kg/ha | 0.6-1.5 kg/ha every 1-2 weeks |
> 101 | 2 kg/ha | 0.6-1.5 kg/ha every 5-7 days |
AquaStar® PondZyme
Application: Dissolve thoroughly in un-chlorinated fresh water (1:30 ratio). Ideally leave for 20 minutes to ‘activate’ and distribute in various locations around the pond.
Dosage:
Stocking density (PL/m2) | Application first 4-12 weeks of production | Application during last 4 weeks of production |
---|---|---|
< 15 | - | - |
15-50 | 0.3-0.5 kg/ha every 4 weeks | 0.5-0.7 kg/ha every 2-4 weeks |
51-100 | 0.5 kg/ha every 2-3 weeks | 0.5-1 kg/ha every 2 weeks |
> 101 | 0.5 kg/ha every 2-3 weeks | 0.5-1 kg/ha every 1-2 weeks |
Certain statements may not be applicable in all geographical regions. Product associated claims may differ based on government requirements.
Product availability may vary by country, please contact BIOMIN for more information.