Why Bacteriophages?

With emergence of highly virulent pathogens in animal health and aquaculture, there is need for highly effective therapeutic product which can reduce usage of sanitisers and antimicrobials. Continuous use of sanitisers and antimicrobials lead to damage of microbiome (the normal non-pathogenic beneficial bacteria) in aquaculture pond ecosystem and shrimp gut. Recent explosion of scientific research has brought to light the importance of maintaining good and unfluctuating microbiome in shrimp and fish health and aquaculture success.

Under this condition Bacteriophages against virulent pathogens in aquaculture will be highly helpful in maintaining the natural ecosystem of the pond while killing the aquaculture pathogens. This strong argument inspired Salem Microbes to initiate Bacteriophage research as early as 2018 and has invested in infrastructure, technology, and technical competence in bacteriophages-based solution development for Aquaculture, Poultry and Food safety.

Salem Microbes possessing 23 years of probiotic tradition has always travelled with Bacteriophages hand in hand from screening to production operations. In the current day scenario, we are ‘embracing the foe as a friend’ to control pathogens of aquaculture. So, we are just jumping sides and exploiting their potential.

Today, we assure that we are in the forefront of bacteriophage research, specialising in isolation, characterisation, and formulation of Phage cocktail within a short turnaround time. Our Research & Development ensures quick screening in case of a sudden disease outbreak to make custom formulation of Bacteriophages from our expansive library of Bacteriophages maintained on-campus.

Phages and Probiotics , a Synergistic combination

Probiotics have played an undeniable role in the environmental management of the shrimp pond and are going to continue to sustain the shrimp ecosystem microbiome, the only catch here is use of quality probiotic inputs which farm owners and technical experts should be aware of.

Probiotics reduce the chances of infection by Competitive Exclusion, but once the critical levels of Vibrio species dominate the environment, it become nearly impossible for probiotic bacteria to exclude Vibrio species. Such critical condition demands quick and sure shot treatment, which is non residual in nature and non-GMO and which does not affect the (microbiome). Here comes the concept of Phage Therapy which is highly specific and quick acting in nature specifically targeting the aquaculture pathogens.

How a Bacteriophage product become relevant to a condition?

A Good Bacteriophage consortia should contains identified lytic phages, specific against pathogens selected from the target environment. Phage cocktails against Pathogens should be continuously upgraded to maintain the pathogen spectrum, specificity and infectivity.

How does a Phage works?

Bacteriophages are Viruses of bacteria which enter the bacteria, use the bacterial source of energy, hijack the bacteria, multiply inside the bacteria and kill them by lysis. When they kill the bacteria, each virus which enter the bacteria multiplies and releases 10 to 100 mature ready-to-attack bacteriophages which are capable of infecting and destroying next set of target pathogenic bacteria.

V PHAGES Consortia

V PHAGES Cocktails for Hatchery and Growout are quite different in their Formulation, Specificity and Purpose. V PHAGES HATCHERY satisfy the need for targeting pathogens specific and prevalent in Hatchery water source, live feeds and also its environment. V PHAGES GROWOUT targets the common pathogens esp Vibrios which are the main cause for bringing down the productivity of a shrimp pond by causing Vibriosis leading to White gut, White faecal disease, off feed, Running Mortality Syndrome and crop loss.

"V PHAGES " cocktails target Vibrio species as,

• Vibrio parahaemolyticus
• Vibrio alginolyticus
• Vibrio harveyi
• Vibrio campbellii and other pathogenic Vibrio sp.

When TO USE IN SHRIMP HATCHERIES?

• To reduce the load Vibrio sp. of the live/ wet/ frozen feed used in brood stocks.
• To reduce Vibrio sp. load in artemia tank.
• To reduce the Vibrio sp. associated problems in Conversion and PL tanks.
• To reduce Vibrio sp. load in intake water thereby preventing biofilm formation in the storage tanks and pipe line downstream of the intake tank.

When TO USE IN SHRIMP GROWOUT PONDS

• Drop in feed intake with increase in yellow or green colonies in TCBS plates
• White gut and White faecal matter appearance coupled with more green colonies in TCBS plates
• Early stages of Running mortality syndrome with empty gut symptom.
• During stocking to safeguard against survival loss of PL’s.
• To increase the efficacy of Probiotics by reducing their primary enemies, the pathogenic

Comparing with Other Therapies

V PHAGES are Natural isolates screened and selected for their strong and fast action against their challenged targets. They do not disturb the Probiotics and other non-pathogenic natural microbiome which are otherwise destroyed by other treatment approaches as Sanitisers, Disinfectants and any products of anti-microbial action. These Phages does not leave any residues on the shrimp or environment as they are Natural. All  bacteriophages in V PHAGES cocktail are Genotypically characterized to ensure proprietary formulation and traceability, which makes them special.

Conclusion

Though Bacteriophage research and applications are known for many years very few products have seen the light of the day. Even these products become irrelevant when they are not supported by a strong expertise in the field and research infrastructure. Salem Microbes has established these capabilities and commits to be in the forefront of giving the Best to its farmers to make their Shrimps Healthy, Productive and Profitable.