Revolution of microbes in Aquaculture.

Today in Malaysia, aquaculture is the fastest growing food-producing sector,  has grown tremendously during the last 10 years

Pond Fish species like Ikan Keli, Ikan talapia, ikan lamban has become increasingly popular and being commercialized widely by local farmers.

To meet the need of increasing consumer population, aquaculture is expanding into new directions, intensifying and diversifying. With the increasing intensification and commercialization of aquaculture production, disease problems inevitably emerged. Disease is now a primary constraint to the culture of many aquatic species, impeding both economic and social development in many countries Infectious disease may emerge within a country in a number of ways.

For decades, antibiotics routinely used for treatment of human infections were also used for aquatic animals, for therapy, prophylactic reasons or growth promotion. However, the adverse effects associated with the use of antibiotics in aquaculture are notorious. With that, People begin to realize the importance of ‘PROBIOTIC’ instead of ‘ANTIBIOTIC’

In the field of aquaculture, Verschuere et al. (2000) extended the concept of probiotic as “ a live microbial adjunct which has a beneficial effect on the host by

1) Modifying the host-associated or ambient microbial community,
2) By ensuring improved use of the feed or enhancing its nutritional value,
3) By enhancing the host response towards disease, or by improving the quality of its ambient environment”.
The broad definition of probiotics in the field of aquaculture was also concerned with “organic wastes” and “pollutants”, as a result of incorporation of “bioremediation” and “biocontrol” when dealing with environmental problems.

Revolution of aquaculture bacteria
Aquarium/aquaculture industry has been using various types of microbes for few decades. People use it for water sanctification, pathogen killer, probiotic, food supplement, and ammonia remover. However, do u know the historical time line of these microbes in our aquaculture? 

In fact, They are our best soldier in helping us to fight against the bad microbes, providing us a clean and fresh aquatic environment, and making our fish healthy.  I would like to acknowledge these tiny microbes by coming out some facts in their contribution to our aquaculture industries. Today, let us look at the history of these aquatic microbes soldier.

The first generation of nitrifying bacteria: mainly Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. ( As what we discussed previously) This autotrophic bacteria, having prolonged growth cycle, the average generation time (ie the time required for bacterial growth generation) in more than 10 hours. The bacteria generally sold in liquid form, having bad smell. Currently on the market is not that popular.

The second generation in fact is photosynthetic bacteria (Purple Non Sulfur Bacteria) which to reduce ammonia nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide which cause toxicity to fish. The product sold in Liquid form and powder form, also presents with odor smell.

The third generation is Bacillus species ( mainly Bacillus Subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis) which perform multi functions as anti-pathogenic agent, probiotic as well as water purifier.  This product sold as powder form as bacteria dormant spore. It has to be reactive with nutrient at least 4 hours before starting to use. Less smell and contaminating compare to 1^st and 2^nd generation.

The fouth generations is the combination of multi-species microbes mainly Lactobacillus, Yeast, phototropic bacteria, literately known as Effective Microbes (EM). They are cultured in a symbiotically method and being freeze-dried to a powder form of white refined products (probiotic), as well as brown colour liquid form. This product contains higher number of CFU/g bacteria, less impurities, and more consistent stability.

The fifth generation, also known as multiple species microbes, was produced using the microencapsulation technology. Each pure strain of microbes was enriched in different media in respective way, underwent freeze-dried, and mixed in an optimized proportion ratio using Response Surface Methodology. These microbes were the combination of Lactobacillus, Yeast, Aerobic denitrifying bacteria (Bacillus Subtilis), Purple Non Sulfur Bacteria, and Actinomycetes. Study showed that these products having longer shelf life, resistant to chemical pesticide, and much more effective compared to the former generations. The average multiplication time is about 25 minutes per species.