Project description
Feed additives to fight microbes in aquaculture
The demand for fish is rising and aquaculture is growing faster than other major food production sectors. However, aquaculture is not immune to diseases that can render fish consumption dangerous for human health. The onset of disease can also result in huge economic losses. To tackle the presence of pathogens as microbes and parasites, traditional practices are based on synthetic medicines. This solution only targets specific pathogens and is hazardous for the environment. The EU-funded AQUAGARLIC project will produce a feasibility study for a new product developed by the Spanish company Domca that is extracted from natural ingredients. This feed additive product effectively attacks both microbes and parasites while being environmentally friendly.
Objective
Domca is a Spanish company with more than 40 years of experience offering turnkey solutions for the agri-food and animal feeding sector. One of our key points is the development and production of products for animal nutrition, extracted from natural products and manufactured under strict standards. A sample of our experience, is the line of animal nutrition products, which based on extracts of Aliaceae, nourish and improve the performance and growth of terrestrial animals. Diseases on aquacultured fish are a clear indicator of the presence of pathogens (normally microbes &/or parasites). These pathogens can cause health problems to humans when eating the infected fish. Beside this, loss of yield in aquaculture production can rise up to 50% due to this situation. The objective of this Phase I project, AQUAgarlic, is to create a feasibility study for the launching of Domca’s new product in the aquaculture market, with the first dual action (antimicrobial and immunomodulator) feed additive for aquaculture industry based on organosulfur natural active ingredients, with zero residues, effective and environmentally friendly, expanding our sales portfolio while we enter a market of € 1.05 billion (CAGR of 3.2%). This product would be a game changer, as most related products (synthetic medicines) are not environmentally friendly and are targeted to only one specific threat (microbe or parasite). To ensure a smooth take-off in the market, we have a team specialized in controlling the distribution operations in Europe, Africa and Asia, as well as subsidiary companies in Chile and Argentina, which will be in charge of market introduction in Latam. Upon completion of this project, Domca will submit a Horizon 2020 SME-Phase II proposal to the industrialization and market launching.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
18620 Alhendin Granada
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.