Functional feed additives to reinforce skin mucus protection

Commercial aquaculture species suffer from a variety of bacterial infections and parasites which cause important economic losses. Skin mucus is the first barrier by which fish are protected from the attack of pathogens. Adhesion and growth of bacteria and parasites is a constant battle between the mucus defensiveness and renewal.

The skin mucus defensive mechanism is composed of physical (i.e. viscosity, impermeability) and biochemical (i.e. antioxidant, detoxifying, bactericidal and immune protection) barriers which can be modified through functional nutrition.

Through continuous research and innovation, Adisseo has developed unique and efficient functional feed additives to reinforce skin mucus protection. Their health promoting feed additives (SANACORE® GM, APEX® BRANCHIA) are based on combinations of synergetic natural compounds that through multiple mechanisms such as enhanced antioxidant, detoxifying, and antimicrobial capacities of skin mucus can reinforce protection against a broad spectrum of bacteria and parasites.

Recent studies evaluating these additives under infections by different opportunistic bacteria and ectoparasites relevant to Mediterranean aquaculture demonstrate high efficacy to inhibit bacterial growth in skin mucus and to reduce parasite infection rates. Supplementation is therefore a prevention strategy to compensate for the stress and increased susceptibility of infection associated to intensive farming.

The Adisseo team of aqua experts works hand-in-hand with producers around the globe to identify and resolve bottlenecks in aquaculture productivity by the application of their innovative functional feed additives.