Aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting the global demand for protein. However, the sustainability and productivity of this sector are constantly threatened by parasitic infections. Among them, Argulus, commonly known as fish lice, is one of the most problematic ectoparasites affecting freshwater and ornamental fish worldwide. Argulus is a genus of crustacean parasites that attach to the skin, fins, and gills of fish, feeding on their blood and tissue fluids, causing Argulosis. In countries with intensive aquaculture practices, such as India, Bangladesh, and China, outbreaks of Argulus have been reported as one of the top reasons for reduced fish yields, particularly in carp culture.

Current Control Strategies:

Chemical Control

A series of chemicals with a problematic toxicity profile are well known in aquaculture, as they suffer from ectoparasitic infections. Organophosphates (e.g., trichlorfon, malathion, dichlorvos), lufenuron, emamectin benzoate, deltamethrin, sodium permanganate, formalin, diflubenzuron, etc., are commonly used chemicals for the control of Argulus infestation in fishes.

Mechanical Control

In addition to chemicals, physical methods such as shaking infested fish in nets to mechanically detach lice, along with egg removal through drying or substrate manipulation (e.g., bamboo-egg boards), help to reduce infestation pressure.

Biological Control

Biological control strategies utilize natural predator–prey relationships to manage ectoparasites like Argulus. In tropical aquaculture, fish such as Gambusia have been noted to feed on free-swimming Argulus larvae, while other small fish actively remove parasites from the skin of larger hosts.

Limitations of Current Control Strategies:

1. Synthetic chemicals have been used to control this ectoparasite. However, they will have an impact on physiological changes, fish growth, and the balance of aquatic ecosystems because they can leave residues that can enter environmental components. The active ingredients are very difficult to decompose in nature, and resistance can occur in target parasites. In addition, it can cause residue accumulation in the body of the fish.
2. Mechanical approaches are labor-intensive and not always sustainable.
3. Though biological control methods are eco-friendly and reduce the reliance on chemicals, they come with several limitations. One major challenge is the seasonal effectiveness of cleaner species—fish like wrasse are less active during colder months, reducing their efficiency in parasite removal.

These limitations highlight the growing interest in exploring eco-friendly, sustainable, and effective natural alternatives to control this parasite.

Plant-Based Alternative to Control Argulosis:

Alternatives for controlling argulosis in fish farming can use medicinal ingredients derived from herbal plants. Pharmacologically, these herbs have therapeutic effects as antibacterials, antiparasitics, and immunostimulants. Numerous applications of medicinal plants as alternative medicine for treating Argulosis in fish have been carried out. The ability of plants to control this disease is due to the presence of natural products in the form of chemical compounds in organic form, so they are safe to use and do not pose a risk that is harmful to fish, to humans who consume them or to the environment and do not cause resistance to parasites.

Dehook is a natural solution for relieving Argulus infestation in aquatic animals, offering a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical treatments. Know more about Dehook at Vinayak Ingredients (India) Private Limited.

*References on request*

In modern animal nutrition, the focus has shifted from meeting basic dietary requirements to enhancing overall health, performance, and sustainability. Minerals play a crucial role in various biological processes, including growth, immunity, reproduction, and metabolic function. However, the form in which these minerals are incorporated into feed significantly affects their absorption and utilization.

Traditional inorganic minerals like sulfates and oxides are often poorly absorbed due to interactions with other dietary components, which leads to low bioavailability, increased excretion, and environmental waste. To overcome these challenges, the use of chelated minerals, where minerals are bound to organic carriers like amino acids, has gained widespread attention in livestock and poultry nutrition. Chelated minerals offer effective absorption, enhanced animal performance, and greater cost efficiency over time. They not only reduce the environmental impact of mineral supplementation but also support better feed conversion and improved product quality.

What is chelation?

Chelation is a chemical process in which a mineral (such as zinc, copper, iron, or manganese) is bound to an organic molecule, which is called a chelating agent. A chelating agent can bind tightly to metal at two or more points, forming a stable ring-like structure. The resulting compound is called a chelated mineral or mineral chelate. This bond protects the mineral from unwanted interactions in the digestive tract that can reduce its absorption.

Why Chelated Minerals Are Preferred:

• Enhanced Bioavailability– Chelated minerals have higher bioavailability compared to their inorganic counterparts. The chelation process protects minerals from interactions with other compounds in the digestive system, allowing for better absorption.

• Improved Absorption– Chelated minerals are more easily absorbed in the digestive tract. The organic molecules surrounding the mineral help facilitate transport across the intestinal membrane, leading to increased absorption into the bloodstream.

• Reduced Antagonistic Interactions– Inorganic minerals may compete with each other for absorption in the digestive system, which leads to reduced overall bioavailability. Chelated minerals are less likely to interact negatively with each other, allowing for a more efficient absorption of individual minerals.

• Targeted Nutrient Delivery– Chelated minerals can be designed for specific functions within the animal’s body. For example, zinc and copper chelates are commonly used to support skin and hoof health in livestock. This targeted delivery allows for a more precise and effective supplementation strategy.

• Improved Animal Performance– The animals may experience better growth rates, reproductive performance, and overall health due to the increased bioavailability and improved absorption of chelated minerals. It leads to improved efficiency in production systems.

Benefits of Chelated Minerals:

• Enhances absorption across the intestinal membrane.
• Improves metabolic utilization.
• Stabilizes more in the gut
• Reduces antagonism, interference, and competition among the minerals.
• Improves animal health and immunity.
• Reduces mineral excretion and environmental pollution.
• Enhances the growth, production, and reproduction of an animal.

Oganovin and other mineral premixes are available on the Vinayak Ingredients India Pvt. Ltd. visit there to learn more about the significance of chelation.

*References on request*

A primary objective of pig farming is to market the maximum weight of pork in the shortest possible time. Achieving this requires high pre- and post-weaning growth rates and minimal mortality, which depends on the nutrients provided to the piglets.

Piglets are born with low body fat reserves and immature immune systems, which makes them completely dependent on milk for survival and growth. Sow milk is a main source of energy and nutrients for piglets, which, along with macronutrients, contains bioactive substances such as immune compounds, enzymes, hormones, and growth factors. Sow milk has been shown to enhance piglet performance and stimulate visceral organ and skeletal muscle protein synthesis in neonatal piglets. It helps in the growth and fattening, eventually improving economic productivity.

Factors Impacting Milk Production in Sows

Different Biological and environmental factors affect milk yield and composition, such as

• Weaning weight
• Parity (number of previous litters)
• Body condition
• Mammary glands
• Litter size
• Piglet size
• Nursing frequency
• Environment

The Challenge of Genetic Selection and Hyperprolific Sows

In past decades, genetic selection in pig production has focused on improving lean meat and increasing litter size. Hyperprolific sows can produce 18–20 or more piglets per cycle, but the number of functional teats remains the same. This might lead to competition among piglets for milk, resulting in low birth weights, higher piglet mortality, and increased stress on sows.

The increased need for milk due to higher litter production impacts the health of the sow. They use body reserves to complete the high milk demand for feeding a large litter. This may negatively affect performance in the next farrowing and cause weight loss in the sow. Lactating sows need energy and nutrients to maintain health and support milk production. Increased negative nutrient balance during lactation can be reduced by improving feed intake or nutrient concentrations of the sows’ diet.

Nutritional Strategies to Support Lactation

Targeted nutritional strategies are essential to improve lactation in sows. Increasing the sow’s energy intake through a high-energy diet with amino acids such as lysine, threonine, and methionine, and micronutrients like vitamins and selenium, is important for milk protein synthesis. Plant-based compounds in the diet of sows positively affect milk production.

              PROLIFISOW is a swine feed additive containing bioactive compounds that help to improve and maintain milk production in hyperprolific sows. It contains bioactive compounds with galactagogue properties, helping to improve the milk production in sows. PROLIFISOW also contains gluconeogenic compounds that help to stabilize the metabolic state of sows, prevent negative energy balance, and support productivity.

PROLIFISOW supports better sow health, enhances piglet growth, and increases production efficiency.

  Benefits of Prolifisow

Improve the litter productivity and subsequent profitability with PROLIFISOW!

*References on request*

Feed represents 60-70% of the total cost of livestock and poultry production and is critical to a producer’s bottom line. It can be a balancing act to find ways to maximize efficiency or reduce input costs while still meeting the nutritional requirements for optimal animal performance. Hence, from an economic perspective, enhancing the energy efficiency of these raw materials is of great importance. Fats and oils serve as significant energy sources in poultry diets due to their high energy value and energy density. The amount of energy that animals can obtain from dietary fat primarily depends on the digestibility of the fat. Fat digestibility is considerably reduced when emulsifying molecules, such as bile salts, are absent or produced in very small quantities in poultry.

One way to maximize the fat utilization in poultry is to include an emulsifier in their diet.

What is Emulsification?

Emulsification is the process that involves the breakdown of large fat globules into smaller globules that are soluble in water. It is important to emulsify fat so it can be easily broken down by enzymes into fatty acids. It takes place in the small intestine by the action of bile salts.

Role of Emulsifier in Lipid Digestion

Fats are insoluble in water, do not solubilize in the aqueous phase of the gastrointestinal tract, and need to be emulsified before they can be hydrolysed by lipase. As a polar amphipatic molecule, consisting of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, an emulsifier (more accurately termed surfactant) can form a bridge between water- and fat-soluble materials, and improve fat utilisation, especially of animal fats. Emulsifiers may also play a particular role in overcoming the inadequacies of naturally low bile production and recirculation in young birds. Emulsifiers, which are normally used in the feed industry, can be categorised into two groups, namely natural (such as bile and bile salts) and nutritional (such as lecithin and lysolecithin) emulsifiers.

Hydrophilic–Lipophilic Balance (HLB) Value:

HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) is a numerical scale (typically from 0 to 20) that indicates the balance between the water-loving (hydrophilic) and oil-loving (lipophilic) portions of an emulsifier. Low HLB values (3–6) indicate lipophilic (oil-soluble) emulsifiers — suitable for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. High HLB values (8–18) indicate hydrophilic (water-soluble) emulsifiers — suitable for oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. 

Without emulsification, lipid digestion would be inefficient, and absorption of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble nutrients would be greatly reduced. An emulsifier added to the feed will help to break down fats and oils easily in poultry birds.

VINEMULSI is a unique and carefully controlled combination of Lysophospholipids, phospholipids, and glycolipids, which makes it a natural emulsifier. It optimizes lipid digestion, emulsification, hydrolysis with micelle formation, and nutrient absorption. It increases the available surface for bile salts and lipases to interact. VINEMULSI provides a more consistent fat utilization response and improves poultry’s performance. The HLB value of lysophospholipids contained in VINEMULSI (8-12) not only determines its emulsification properties but also contributes to the stability of the emulsion.

Benefits:

• Supports fat emulsification and utilization
• Enhances nutrient absorption
• Improves feed conversion ratio and overall performance.
• Reduces feed costs
• Aids in minimizing oxidative stress.

“Turn fats into fuel, naturally”

*References on request*