Methanotrophic Bacteria Biomass for Fish Enteritis Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carnivorous fish such as salmonids suffer from enteritis when fed plant-based protein sources like soybean meal, leading to impaired growth and feed utilization, due to inflammatory reactions in the distal intestine, which limits the widespread use of alternative protein sources in aquaculture.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a biomass derived from a culture of methanotrophic bacteria into fish diets, particularly in combination with enteritis-causing plant materials, to prevent or ameliorate plant-induced enteritis by reducing inflammatory reactions in the intestinal mucosa.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plant-based protein sources like soybean meal are used to replace fishmeal in aquaculture feeds, then feed cost is reduced and sustainability is improved, but enteritis occurs in carnivorous fish leading to impaired growth and feed utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a protective agent (probiotic bacteria, prebiotics, or phytogenic substances) that mediates between the plant-based protein source and the fish digestive system. This intermediary substance protects the fish intestinal mucosa from the harmful effects of plant proteins while allowing the fish to benefit from the nutritional value of plant-based feeds, thereby resolving the contradiction between feed cost reduction and enteritis prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical or physical properties of plant-based protein sources through processing methods such as heat treatment, enzymatic treatment, or fermentation. These parameter changes reduce the harmful components (e.g., trypsin inhibitors, lectins) in plant proteins while preserving their nutritional value, thereby enabling their use in carnivorous fish feeds without causing enteritis
2Quantity of substance
If soybean meal is included in fish diets at levels above 10% by weight, then protein nutrition is improved, but severe morphological changes occur in the distal intestine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protective agents (probiotics, prebiotics, or phytogenic substances) as intermediaries that enable the safe inclusion of higher levels of soybean meal (above 10% by weight) in fish diets. These intermediaries protect the intestinal mucosa from damage caused by plant proteins, allowing the fish to receive adequate protein nutrition without suffering from severe morphological changes in the distal intestine
3Loss of substance
If fishmeal is replaced with plant-based materials, then feed sustainability is improved, but inflammatory reactions occur in the distal intestine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing protective substances (probiotics, prebiotics, or phytogenic substances) that mediate between plant-based materials and the fish digestive system. These intermediaries prevent inflammatory reactions in the distal intestine while allowing sustained replacement of fishmeal with plant-based materials, thereby improving feed sustainability without compromising fish health
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by processing plant-based materials through heat treatment, enzymatic treatment, or fermentation to modify their chemical properties. These parameter changes reduce the inflammatory potential of plant-based materials while maintaining their nutritional value, enabling sustainable replacement of fishmeal without causing inflammatory reactions in the distal intestine
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for the prevention or amelioration of plant-induced enteritis in fish is provided which comprises feeding to said fish a biomass derived from a culture of methanotrophic bacteria. Also provided is a combination of a biomass derived from a culture of methanotrophic bacteria and an enteritis-causing plant material which can be used, for example, as a replacement for fishmeal in fish feeds or fish feed components. In particular embodiments, the enteritis-causing plant material is soybean meal.