AQUAEXCEL

The team of researchers from IMGGE established a collaboration with researchers from the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences (MATE) through Horizon2020 funded Transnational Access (TNA) projects. Projects are performed in the frame of large infrastructure projects: AquaExcel²⁰²⁰ (https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/) and AquaExcel3.0 (https://aquaexcel.eu/). Both projects are coordinated by Dr Marc Vandeputte, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), France. This great opportunity for IMGGE researchers was provided by MATE, which is a partner at AquaExcel²⁰²⁰ and AquaExcel3.0. Projects were realized thanks to the support of Dr Habil Galina Jeney (retired) and Dr Uros Ljubobratovic (https://akvakultura.uni-mate.hu/web/akvakultúra-és-környezetbiztonsági-intézet/dr.-ljubobratovic-uros), highly experienced researchers in the field of aquaculture and TNA project managers at MATE.

Up to this date, four TNA projects have been approved to IMGGE researchers:

1. LAPPAQ (2016) (see “Lactic acid bacteria improve growth and health, and reduce potentially pathogenic bacteria levels in larval pike-perch” at https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/transnational-access/tna-projects)
2. LABRAWEAN (2018) (see “Effects of lactobacilli supplemented to cultured pike-perch through live and inert diets on fish performance in the case of rapid and gradual weaning” at https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/transnational-access/tna-projects)
3. PROFEE (2019/2020) (see “Modification of live and inert feed nutritive value by probiotic lactobacilli for facilitation of weaning of first feeding pike-perch larvae” at https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/transnational-access/tna-projects)
4. PROBASSIC (2022/2023) 

First three projects have been completed successfully and have delivered expected results. Projects were based on application of probiotic bacteria from IMGGE collection in fish larviculture. Briefly, larval feeds, including Artemia live prey and inert starter feed were enriched with probiotics using different procedures (incubation, coating). The best results were seen with inert feeds coated with probiotic homogenates. Homogenates served as a source of skeleton growth supporting and appetite stimulating amino acids. Homogenates additionally increased protein digestibility and reduces the diffusion of amino acids from the feed surface in the rearing water. In first feeding pike-perch larvae fed artificial diet, this was associated with growth improvement, even in comparison to non-weaned larvae (fed only live prey).

Six publications in peer reviewed internationally recognized journals, featuring the above results, have been published:

1. Lukić, J., Stanisavljević, N., Vukotić, G., Terzić-Vidojević, A., Begović, J., Golić, N., Ljubobratović, U., 2021. Enrichment of larval fish feed with free amino acids and proteins by coating with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGHN14 homogenate. Turk. J. Fish. & Aquat. Sci. 21: 569-573. http://doi.org/10.4194/1303-2712-v21_11_05
2. Ljubobratović, U., Fazekas, G, Koljukaj, A., Ristović, T., Vass, V., Ardó, L., Stanisavljević, N., Vukotić, G., Pešić, M., Milinčić, D., Kostić, A., Lukić, J., 2021. Pike-perch larvae growth in response to administration of lactobacilli-enriched inert feed during first feeding. Aquaculture 542: 736901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.736901
3. Lukic, J., Stanisavljevic, N., Vukotic, G., Kosanovic, D., Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Begovic, J., Golic, N., Jeney, G., Ljubobratovic, U., 2020. Lactobacillus salivarius BGHO1 and Lactobacillus reuteri BGGO6-55 modify nutritive profile of Artemia franciscana nauplii in a strain ratio, dose and application timing-dependent manner. Anim. Feed Sci. Tech. 259: 114356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2019.114356
4. Ljubobratovic, U., Kosanovic, D., Demény, F.Z., Krajcsovics, A., Vukotic, G., Stanisavljevic, N., Golic, N., Jeney, G., Lukic, J., 2020. The effect of live and inert feed treatment with lactobacilli on weaning success in intensively reared pike-perch larvae. Aquaculture, 516: 734608. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2019.734608
5. Lukic, J., Vukotic, G., Stanisavljevic, N., Kosanovic, D., Molnar, Z., Begovic, J., Terzic-Vidojevic, A., Jeney, G., Ljubobratovic, U., 2019. Solid state treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei BGHN14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus BGT10 improves nutrient bioavailability in granular fish feed. PLoS ONE 14(7): e0219558. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0219558
6. Ljubobratovic, U., Kosanovic, D., Vukotic, G., Molnar, Z., Stanisavljevic, N., Ristovic, T., Peter, G., Lukic, J., Jeney, G.: Supplementation of lactobacilli improves growth, regulates microbiota composition and suppresses skeletal anomalies in juvenile pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) reared in recirculating aquaculture system (RAS): a pilot study. Res. Vet. Sci. 115 (2017): 451-462 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28777955

In addition, the projects were featured in:

1. AquaExcel²⁰²⁰ newsletters:

https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/sites/default/files/inline-files/AQUAEXCEL2020_newsletter3_web.pdf (page 2) and https://www.aquaexcel2020.eu/sites/default/files/inline-files/AQUAEXCEL2020%20Newsletter_Issue9_0.pdf (page 4);

1. AquaExcel²⁰²⁰ industry brokerage event: https://aquaexcel2020.eu/sites/default/files/inline-files/Catalogue%201%20AE01001_v1_0.pdf 

The last TNA project, PROBASSIC, is supposed to begin in September 2022 and is expected to be ended in 2023. When ready, the results of PROBASSIC will be available here.