Intensive cultivation of animals reared for human consumption makes them susceptible to stresses arising from overcrowding, heat, ammonia accumulation and diseases. We have specifically identified and extracted novel biologically active compounds known as sulfated Galacto-oligosaccharides (sGOS) from red seaweeds. We administered them to commercially cultivated species of shrimp and fish to understand their effect on increasing productivity, tolerance to environmental stresses, as well as resistance to diseases in both lab and field conditions.
We find that inclusion of sGOS in the diet increases the survival of shrimp (L. vannamei and P. monodon) by at least 10%, and their resistance to diseases such as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS), Vibrio infection, and White Spot Syndrome (WSSV) by at least 15%. The increased survival arises due to the immune stimulating activity of sGOS wherein it can specifically upregulate genes associated with anti-pathogen defense mechanisms. The increased survival also correlates well with increased yields of L. vannamei for the farmer under field conditions.
In fish, we find that sGOS increases the weight gain, specific growth rate and survival of fish (Tilapia). Overall, our results indicate that red seaweed derived sustainable feed additive rich in sGOS stimulates the immune systems of commercially important aquatic animals to sustain the stresses of intensive cultivation, while also facilitating higher productivity.