India - Unique diet developed for shrimps

The Fisheries College and Research Institute (FCRI) at Tuticorin has developed a unique single cell diet that can be used as a cost-effective substitute for micro algae cultures for shrimp larvae reared in marine hatcheries.

Named ‘Marine Single Cell Detritus,’ the product was derived from seaweeds by a team of three scientists at the institute led by S Felix, Professor of Biotechnology Centre.

Speaking to The Hindu, V. K. Venkataramani, the FCRI Dean, said that the feed was developed through enzymatic and fermentative treatment of seaweeds in two phases.

In the first stage, the seaweeds were treated with an enzyme which led to the formation of single cell units. The ‘enzymatic digest’ was then treated with bacteria and yeast in the ‘fermentative phase’ to form the product.

According to Dr Venkataramani, a series of tests conducted by the institute proved that MSCD had distinct advantages over traditional feeds like micro algae cultures and imported feeds like ‘artemia cysts,’ used widely in marine hatcheries across the country now.

The MSCD is 20 per cent less expensive than artemia cysts and its manufacturing process is simpler than that of micro algae cultures.

Besides, the new diet possesses bioremediation properties which control water quality.

The ‘probiotic’ characteristics of the feed helps the fish develop infection resistance. The MSCD has 35 per cent of crude proteins, making it nutritious and possible to be stored in room temperature for an year.

Dr. Venkataramani said that the institute planned to commercialise its production after obtaining a patent.

“We will disseminate the technology through training sessions to hatchery owners who are interested in its mass production,” he added.