Applications of nanobubbles to reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture

 

Nanobubble technology in aquaculture has gone from an idea to practice in less than five years. The larger aquaculture industries have embraced this technology for its ability to increase dissolved oxygen rapidly and efficiently in water. In fact, in the last few years, there are at least two large technology companies that make nanobubblers specifically for aquaculture use. Research suggests that nanobubbles can do more than increase dissolved oxygen on fish farms. It was found that if ozone is used to make bubbles, it can reduce bacteria in the water, increase survival of fish during disease outbreaks, and increase the immune response from immersion vaccines.

This project will evaluate these novel applications for ozone nanobubbles in commercial aquaculture settings. Specifically, it will develop a vaccination protocol with the use of nanobubbles that improves the response to immersion vaccines for large-scale vaccination of tilapia fish in commercial farms. The project will also evaluate and develop a protocol for using ozone nanobubbles in commercial ponds to reset the microbial community and enhance the efficacy of probiotics. Lastly, it will transfer this knowledge by training small farmer operators and making these machines available to them through their veterinary practice as well as conducting industry workshops for both farmers and fish health professionals.

This project is funded through InnoVet-AMR2, a four-year partnership between IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Department of Health and Social Care. The initiative is aimed at reducing the emerging risk that antimicrobial resistance in animals poses to global health and food security.