Achieving high performance from aquaculture species reared in conditions very different from their natural habitat is extremely demanding. A lot of energy is focused on growth performance while maintaining a healthy immune system is often overlooked. Farm conditions can induce a lot of stress, making it easier for opportunistic pathogens to exploit a moment of weakness. There are various approaches to supporting the immune system, one of them is through using beta-glucans.
Beta-glucans widely used
Beta-glucans are probably the most commonly used additive to help maintain an efficient immune system because they share similar molecular patterns as on the cell membranes of pathogens. Recognition by various innate immune cells, like macrophages, dendritic cells and neutrophils, can trigger a cascade release of cytokines and chemokines which can initiate an immune response. The amount, level of polymerization, molecular weight and branching influence biological activity on immune cells and their viability.
In-vivo and in-vitro trials confirm innate immunomodulation
The application of StimmunoGuard in an in-vivo tilapia trial showed that at lower inclusion rates there were improved growth rates and higher stress tolerance. While at higher inclusion rates, there was still improved stress tolerance but also higher survival rates when challenged by S. agalactiae.
Chitin delivers added benefit
StimmunoGuard has a naturally high level of beta-glucans, however it also contains a high percentage of chitin as well. Chitin acts similarly to beta-glucans and is predominantly active in the intestinal tract. In addition, when chitin is broken down in the intestinal tract of animals it produces chitosan which can damage the cell membrane of harmful microbes.