Effect of an Algo-Clay Based Biocatalyst on the Digestive and Growth Performance of Juvenile Shrimp (L. Vannamei)

Maarten Jay van Schoonhoven, Aqua BU manager, Olmix, France

Vibriosis has long been one of the important causes for diseases in aquaculture, causing damage all along the shrimp production cycle. Vibrio bacteria occur commonly in the culture environment of shrimp, yet using good management practices can help limiting the vibrio outbreaks. Still there is continuous search for natural ways to control vibrio during shrimp culture. Olmix has developed a product associating clay and algae extracts, which aims at the improvement of shrimp performance through boosting digestive enzyme activity and improving the digestive balance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of this algae-clay mix supplementation on the digestive- and growth performance of L. vannamei. A lab scale test, at a University research facility in Thailand, showed a significant improvement in FCR and a significant increase in survival for shrimp groups fed the algae-clay mix supplemented diet. Histopathology showed reduced amounts of Vibrio in the hepatopancreas of shrimp fed diets supplemented with the algae-clay mix. This study highlights the capacity of algae-clay mix to improve the overall digestive efficiency and the gut health, resulting in a better growth performance.

Maarten Jay van Schoonhoven has worked for various companies involved in aquaculture in Europe, USA and Thailand. After starting with sales and account managing he was able to successfully introduce new products in different aquaculture markets. This involved working closely between the end users and the R&D group to find the best product and the best possible application. He recently joined Olmix to introduce their product range into the aquaculture market.