Shrimp Farming: Probiotic Research Rewarded in New Caledonia

Mathieu Castex Awarded Young Researcher of the Year during New Caledonia « Doctoriales » for his work on Probiotic Application in Aquaculture.

Mathieu Castex, a final year PhD student at IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) in Nouméa, New-Caledonia, was awarded Young Researcher of the Year during New- Caledonia « Doctoriales 2008 ». The subject of his research project, conducted in partnership with Lallemand Animal Nutrition, is the evaluation of probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici MA 18/5 M (Bactocell®) in Litopenaeus Stylirostris shrimp farming. This award is the recognition of the quality of the research. It also marks the interest of the scientific community for natural approaches, such as probiotics, for shrimp farming, which plays a significant part in the local economy.

The rewarded study is the result of a three-years joint research program between IFREMER and Lallemand Animal Nutrition. This program is conducted by Mathieu Castex in Nouméa, at the Département Aquacole de Calédonie. This project has permitted to confirm the potential of Bactocell for shrimp farming, both a financial and sanitary potential*:

     - positive effects on growth performance
     - enhanced survival
     - increased resistance against vibriosis.

The probiotic modes of action in shrimps were also scrutinized. Microbiological effects at the shrimp’s gut level and effects on the digestive functions were shown. Moreover, the study highlighted a positive interaction with the animal’s own anti-oxidant defenses, an innovative and promising path for probiotic research.

The « Doctoriales » is an annual event co-hosted by Université de Nouvelle-Calédonie and Université de Polynésie Française. It is the opportunity for PhD students to share their research with a panel of recognized experts from various disciplines, as well as with the general public thanks to a significant coverage of the event by the local media. Every year, PhD students from New-Caledonia and French Polynesia are invited to present the state of their research in front of a scientific, multi-disciplinary jury. A first or second year student is awarded the Encouragement Prize, while a final year student, selected for the quality of his results as well as his presentation, receives the Young Researcher award.

(*) References

Castex, M., Chim, L., Pham, D., Lemaire, P., Wabete, N., Nicolas, J.L., Scmidely, P., Mariojouls, C., 2008. Probiotic P.acidilactici application in shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris culture subject to vibriosis in New Caledonia, Aquaculture 275, 182-193

Chim, L., Castex, M., Pham, D., Lemaire, P., Scmidely, P., Mariojouls, M., 2008. Evaluation of floating cages as an experimental tool for marine shrimp culture studies under practical earthen pond conditions. Aquaculture 279, 63-69

Castex, M., Lemaire, P., Wabete, N., Chim, L. Effect of dietary probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici on antioxidant defences and oxidative stress status in Litopenaeus stylirostris shrimp. Aquaculture (submitted).

Chim, L., Castex , M., Wabete, N., Lemaire, P., Massabuau,, J.C., Study of the ration size effect and related growth ration curve with penaeid shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris. Aquaculture Nutrition (submitted).

About Lallemand

Lallemand, Inc. is a privately owned Canadian company specialized in yeast, bacteria and yeast derivatives, for animal nutrition, baking, winemaking and pharmaceutical industries. Lallemand is the only major supplier of yeast and bacteria that is a primary producer of both.

Lallemand Animal Nutrition is dedicated to the development, production, and marketing of profitable, natural and differentiated solutions for animal nutrition and health. Our core products are live bacteria for probiotics and silage inoculants, specific yeast for probiotics, and high value yeast derivatives.

Lallemand is a major supplier of probiotics and silage inoculants in Europe, North America and Africa. We also have a growing presence in Asia and South America.

About Ifremer

Ifremer is a public institute of industrial and commercial nature. Ifremer’s missions are to conduct and promote basic and applied research, make expert assessment reports and take action for technological and industrial development intend to identify, evaluate and enhance marine resources and enable their sustainable exploitation ; improve methods of monitoring, forecasting trends, protecting and enhancing marine and coastal environments ; encourage the economic development of maritime activities.

Ifremer’s activities are coastal environment management, marine living resource management, ocean research, engineering and marine technology, ocean research vessels management.