Formulation made from essential oils improves the immune system of fish
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends consuming two portions of fish per week, equivalent to 250 g. In Brazil, the average is below ideal and there is a discrepancy in consumption depending on the region of the country. Fish is more commonly used in cuisine in the North, while in the South, red meat still prevails. The presence of fish in the human diet is recommended by nutritionists due to its nutritional profile.
Increasing captive fish production can increase fish consumption in all regions of the country. Despite the great potential of aquaculture, there are challenges to be faced to reduce the environmental impact and increase the quality of fish intended for human consumption. In this context, a technology developed at the Multidisciplinary Center for Chemical, Biological and Agricultural Research at Unicamp (CPQBA) can be an ally for larger-scale production through aquaculture.
The technology offers a natural alternative for preventing and treating bacterioses. Antibiotics are the main treatment used to control bacterioses in fish, but excessive use can lead to the development of resistant bacteria and environmental pollution. The challenge of replacing antibiotics in the fish diet was the subject of doctoral research carried out by student Renata Estaiano de Rezende. Under the guidance of researcher Marta Cristina Duarte, Rezende tested 71 volatile essential oils, until finding the exact active composition to combat the three main types of bacteria that affect the industrial production of fish and shellfish.
The result is a formulation made from the essential oils of thyme, red thyme and rosemary pepper. When applied to feed, greater fish immunity is achieved. “We noticed a significant increase in the number of leukocytes in fish that consumed the feed with the oil mixture”, explains Duarte. Researchers Rodney Rodrigues and Marili Villa Nova Rodrigues also participated in the development of the technology.
The solution was protected through patent by the Inova Unicamp Innovation Agency, which also negotiated the licensing contract for Terpenia, a company focused on developing products based on technologies originating from Unicamp. “Our team is very pleased with the partnership with Unicamp. Inova gave us great support in guidance and formalization of licenses and we are studying new technologies for our portfolio of operations”, reports Wolney Longhini, consulting partner and responsible for the area of Research and Development of Terpenia.
Next steps towards the market - In the effectiveness tests of the formulation carried out at Unicamp, Rezende made a small hole in the commercial fish feed and inserted the formulation with the oils there, achieving good results on a small scale. The next phase of development is to scale up to produce a supplement from the formulation. For this stage, Terpenia is looking for partners. “We identified the potential for generating a supplement that can reduce the use of antibiotics in fish feed to control bacterioses. We then began the search for partners for development on an industrial scale”, comments Longhini.
Inventors Award 2022
The inventors of the new formulation, Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte (principal researcher), Renata Antunes Estaiano de Rezende, Rodney Alexandre Rodrigues e Marili Villa Nova Rodrigues, were awarded in the Licensed Intellectual Property category at the Inventores 2022 Awards.
This report is part of the series produced by Inova Unicamp on licensed technologies. They can be read on the Inova website and also in e-book format in the Revista Prêmio Inventores, scheduled for release in June.
Check out all the winners on the website Unicamp Inventors Award.
