Development of health promoting diets in shrimp

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Infectious diseases cause significant economic losses to the global shrimp (Penaeid) farming industry. Losses are estimated to be over a billion USD per year. Infectious diseases include viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. Both White spot syndrome (WSS) and acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) otherwise known as Early mortality syndrome can cause up to 100% mortality in shrimp within days of infection. WSS is caused by a Whispovirus, and AHPND by a bacteria, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Parasitic infections such as caused by Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) or gregarines result in slow growth rather than mortalities. Infectious diseases cause direct losses to the industry in terms of mortalities, downgrading at harvest and treatment costs. Feed intake and resultant growth rates are usually reduced. And importantly, the implications to animal welfare should not be underestimated. This project aims firstly, to develop new diets targeted against infectious agents that cause significant economic loss in shrimp, and secondly, to improve already existing commercial diets. A combination of in vitro, bench top experimental models and in vivo, live shrimp challenge trials will be developed and used to evaluate ingredients or combinations of ingredients that can be used health promoting diets.