FeedKind significantly reduces Vibrio in shrimp, improves survival during an EMS Challenge

Recent scientific studies show shrimp welfare could be dramatically improved if fed Calysta’s FeedKind^® protein, with the feed ingredient significantly reducing Early Mortality Syndrome risk.

EMS is one of the biggest issues facing shrimp farming today, having cost the industry billions of dollars since it was first identified in Asia in 2009.

But a new study on the effectiveness of Calysta’s single-cell protein as a shrimp feed ingredient by Kasetsart University has shown a significant improvement in shrimp immune response to the disease – with survival rates of up to 100% after 15 days, compared to just 76.7% of those fed on a traditional fishmeal-based feed.

FeedKind protein is a family of natural, sustainable and traceable feed ingredients for fish, livestock and pets, produced by fermenting natural gas with a naturally occurring bacteria. It uses no arable land and little water in its production, supporting global food security and helping feed an increasing population in a sustainable way.

Allan LeBlanc, Vice President, Aquaculture Lead at Calysta, said: “Outbreaks of disease remain one of the biggest challenges in aquaculture today. EMS in particular has caused more than $20B in losses to the shrimp industry over the last decade, and disease management and prevention is one of the industry’s highest priorities.

“FeedKind’s ability to activate shrimps’ innate immune system could be transformative for the industry. As a key ingredient in functional feeds, it can form the backbone of a comprehensive disease prevention strategy for farmers, all while improving animal health and increasing yield.

“With a growing global population and increasing demand for protein, being able to produce more food from less is absolutely crucial to helping us maximize existing resources and improve global food security.”

The results of the new trial on the effectiveness of Calysta’s single cell protein feed in farmed shrimp also show FeedKind-based feeds are just as effective in promoting growth and survival in shrimp compared to traditional fishmeal-based feeds.

The study, carried out by Dr. Orapint at the Nutrition and Aquafeed Laboratory, Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand, is published today in the journal, Frontiers in Marine Science. The study said: “FeedKind does not inhibit growth performance, feed efficiency, or survival of shrimp. Additionally, shrimp in this study demonstrated an increased tolerance to disease when challenged with Vibrio, indicating FeedKind protein may help promote a robust immune response.”

Since its discovery in 2009, EMS has wreaked havoc in Asian aquaculture markets. In China, output was reduced by up to 80% in some regions, while Thailand reported $11.5billion in losses due to the disease between 2010-16. Vietnam had similar issues, citing losses of more than $2.5billion.

The FeedKind study saw Penaeus vannamei shrimp fed a variety of diets, from a control diet comprised of traditional fishmeal-based feed, to diets with increasing quantities of FeedKind protein to replace the fishmeal; at 33%, 66% and 100% – up to a total of 15% of total feed.

The shrimp then spent 15 days continuously exposed to the causative agent of EMS, Vibrio parahaemolyticus. All shrimp on the FeedKind-based diets showed greater survival rates compared to the fishmeal-based feed, from 76.7% in the control, to 86.7% at 5% FeedKind, 96.7% in 10% FeedKind and 100% in the 15% concentration of FeedKind.

The current study has shown that fishmeal can be entirely replaced in shrimp diets with FeedKind. Additionally, the replacement of fishmeal with methanotroph bacteria meal protein, FeedKind, followed by a natural V. parahaemolyticus challenge led to improved survival.

Calysta’s 50/50 JV with Adisseo, Calysseo, is in the process of building the world’s first FeedKind commercial production facility in Chongqing, China, with completion of the first 20,000 tonne per year plant expected next year and expansion shortly thereafter.

Investors in Calysta include bp, Adisseo, and AquaSpark. For more information about Calysta, visit www.Calysta.com. Join the newsletter at www.FeedKind.com.