To strengthen and boost disease resistance amongst marine life, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO), Dona Paula, continues to transform the quality of water management in aquacultural operations. It has recently transferred its innovative microbial consortia technology to a faculty start-up located at the Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala, called MSortia LLP. The transfer took root recently during the CSIR’s One Week, One Theme inaugural event.
The well-being of marine life calls for immediate action, due to which the (CSIR-NIO) has taken up the initiative to protect the cultivated aquatic beings through its wastewater treatment innovation. This technology focuses on the specifically chosen blend of marine bacteria that provides a sustainable pathway and ensures a protective shelter for aquatic animals. It also improves the quality of water in aquaculture water bodies which is the need of the hour.
The Marine Microbial Reference Facility at CSIR-NIO’s regional centre in Kochi maintains approximately 3,000 bacterial strains. The technology utilises a combination of microorganisms from the vast majority of bacteria collected from various ecosystems.
These bacteria have the ability to degrade waste accumulated in aquaculture water bodies due to their highly effective enzyme production. It is essential that this aquatic waste is dealt with due to its capability to decrease growth rate and increase disease occurring and stocked animal mortality rate. This technology has been put to the test through highly systematic and methodical procedures especially in terms of shrimp aquaculture breeding bodies in several states including Karnataka, Kerala and Gujarat. The results of these test have proven that the technology can successfully improve the quality of water and the health and well-being of marine life. In addition, the technology focuses on sustainable methods that promise a better future and strengthen the link between scientific research and its practical application.
The aquaculture industry experiences massive demand for food and while it attempts to meet the worldwide demand, it must also indulge in technologies that will facilitate its long-term growth rather than just focusing on the short-term benefits and necessities. The microbial consortia technology will facilitate its long term growth and its sustainable approach will protect the environment.
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology, and N Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary DSIR attended the signing ceremony. Prof Sunil Kumar Singh, Director of CSIR-NIO, and Dr Vrinda S, Managing Partner of MSortia LLP signed the agreement of the transfer at the ceremony held recently.
