Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) and Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture(CIBA) signed a memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with M/s Salem Microbes Private Limited, Salem, Tamil Nadu, India, for producing and marketing of the a “Phage based product” developed by the Aquatic Animal Health and Environment Division (AAHED) of ICAR-CIBA, Chennai.
This product formulation comprises a broad spectrum of lytic phages from aquaculture systems and coastal ecosystems in the country. Having proven its efficacy in field evaluation trials, this “cocktail of phages” can neutralise a wide range of specific pathogenic bacteria in the hatchery settings.
An aquaculture hatchery is a facility dedicated to breeding, hatching, and rearing aquatic organisms, primarily for aquaculture and fisheries. These hatcheries play a crucial role by providing a consistent supply of seed stock, which is then transferred to fish farms. In aquaculture hatcheries, bacterial diseases like vibriosis are a significant threat, leading to considerable economic loss. The Institute developed the “Phage Prophylaxis and Therapy” using the phages for the biocontrol of bacterial diseases, particularly the vibriosis in aquaculture settings.
Dr. S.V. Alavandi, Principal Scientist and Head, AAHED, ICAR-CIBA, Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, ICAR-CIBA, Chennai, and D. Ramesh Kumar, C.E.O., M/s Salem Microbes, discussed the advantages of utilizing phages in aquaculture systems and replacing the use of antibiotics, which pose a threat of antimicrobial resistance.
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