Page 11 - New additives and ingredients in the formulation of aquafeeds
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Natural growth promoters in aquaculture practices
Waldo G. Nuez-Ortín
DVM, MSc.
Aquaculture Technical Manager at Norel S.A.
C/ Industria 1, Pol. Industrial Can Coll., Lliça de Vall.
08085- Barcelona (Spain)
Summary
The gastrointestinal tract of the aquatic animal is sensitive and responsive
to a number of stressing factors, being those common and the cause
of disease and poor performance. In order to minimize these negative
outcomes and achieve sustainable, safe, and cost-efficient aquaculture
practices, nutritionists must focus not only on nutritional specifications
but also on promoting gastrointestinal health. In such task, natural growth
promoters, as probiotics or organic acids, stand out as a tool to reach an
optimal gut flora balance and to stimulate development and integrity of
intestinal epithelium.
Natural growth promoters in aquaculture practices
9
Introduction
Aquaculture is the world’s fastest food production system. Data from
World Bank’s Global Program on Fisheries and Aquaculture reveals that
aquaculture should grow 75 to 85 percent by 2030 to supply the world’s
growing demand for seafood (Anderson, 2011). In order to achieve such
growth, risks and solutions related to disease, nutrition, pollution, genetics,
and consequently efficiency, must be immediately addressed.
Nowadays, aquaculture is facing a number of challenges. In first place
the high stocking densities and the consequent proneness to pathogen
transmission, water contamination, and sediment deterioration. In
second place, the increasing limited - or even banned - use of antibiotics
and disinfectants which can reduce pathogen transmission and water
contamination but on the contrary can lead to the natural emergence of
bacterial resistance besides impacting negatively the environment. Last but
not least, the feeding of less degradable plant-based diets which results in
diminished nutrient utilization and increases the amount of undigested feed
excreted to the environment. If not properly confronted, this situation leads
to consequences such as impaired water and pond bottom quality, reduced
survival, lower efficiencies and growth, and subsequently unprofitable
aquaculture practices. With the aim of warranting a successful present and
future development of aquaculture, measures applied at present must be
effective as well as sustainable.
