Page 15 - New additives and ingredients in the formulation of aquafeeds

practices, our major efforts have focused on the use of B. amyloliquefaciens.
By collaborating with research institutions and feed companies, our present
R&D program is oriented towards the more efficient utilization of this
species at both feed mill and farm level.
Ecobiol Aqua B. amyloliquefaciens is marketed by Norel as Ecobiol Aqua. In comparison to
other probionts, the sporulated Bacillus spp. offers advantages in use due
to its heat-stability, allowing the product to be stored at room temperature
in a desiccated form without any harmful effect on viability and resistance
to acidic pH, allowing probionts to pass the gastric barrier (Cutting, 2011).
In addition to the abovementioned criteria described by Merrifield et al.
(2010) and Cutting (2011) two other properties make Ecobiol Aqua a highly
functional NGP. First of all a high survival rate through pelleting (Table 2) and
secondly a faster activation and high multiplication rate of the vegetative
form when compared to other Bacillus spp. (Figure 1).
Depending on processing conditions, farm management or purpose of
application Ecobiol Aqua can be added directly to the mash mixed with oil
and coated after heat treatment or even administered via the rearing water.
Either via feed or via water the host benefit will result from both improved
nutrient utilization and improved water environment.
Different ways of action have been investigated for Ecobiol Aqua; it is the
combination of all of them what leads to host benefit. B. amyloliquefaciens
is capable to secrete 0.9 g of lactic acid per g of sugar present in the culture
medium. Within the gastrointestinal tract of the animal, this lactic acid
will reduce pathogenic bacteria while is used by beneficial bacteria such
as Lactobacillus as substrate to grow. Additionally the vegetative form of
B. amyloliquefaciens produces barnase which is a bacteriocine. As a result,
the antimicrobial properties of Ecobiol Aqua have been demonstrated
Figure 1. Multiplica-
tion rate of Ecobiol
Aqua as opposed
to other strains of
Bacillus (measured by
optical density)
Natural growth promoters in aquaculture practices 13