Aquaculture feeding system

The functionality and therefore definition of a probiotic is largely dependent on the animal production system in which it will be used. Fuller s widely cited definition of a probiotic as a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal balance (Fuller, 1989) is too narrow for aquaculture production systems because aquatic animals are intimately associated with their ambient environment. Hence, microbial-induced improvements to the host ectobiota or host external environments may also be considered probiotic (Verschuere et al, 2000). In their review, Irianto and Austin (2002) defined an aquaculture probiont as an entire or component(s) of a microorganism that is beneficial to the health of the host . This all-encapsulating definition includes probiotic action on both internal and external environments, and introduces the prospect of microbial components, such as peptidoglycan and lipopoly-saccharides, acting as immunostimulants (Smith et aL, 2003). 

The current production of microalgae is mainly focused around a few species, such as Spirulim, Chlorella, Dunaliella or Haematococcus for nutritional purposes (for humans) and animal feed (especially aquaculture). Other sectors, such as cosmetics, effluent treatment and bioenergy, have shown interest, incorporating these or other species of microalgae and cyanobacteria into commercial products. Currently, 95% of the production of microalgae is based on open systems... 

A land-based pond system can exist exclusively for the cultivation of macroalgae or can be combined with other aquatic species such as finfish or mollusks. The combined approach, referred as integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), offers the opportunity to capitalize on the fact that wastes from the fish can act as a supply of nutrients for the algae while the algae can act as a source of feed for the fish. In this way IMTA functions as a miniature and synergistic ecosystem consisting of a variety of species that all have commercial values. ... 

Rapeseed proteins possess besides their high nutritional value a distinct functional potential enabling stabilization of emulsions and foams as well as formation of gel-like and other structured systems with high water-binding capacity. Therefore, a lot of new value-added applications in human nutrition, animal feeding (like the use of rapeseed protein concentrates in aquaculture) and for different technical purposes may be expected. 

---