Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP) in Brazil have developed a groundbreaking biomaterial with the potential to address two critical issues in fish health and aquaculture sustainability. This bioparticle, featured in the journal Biomaterials Advances, serves as an efficient drug carrier for delivering medication directly to the gastrointestinal tract of fish, overcoming antibiotic resistance. Moreover, administered orally in powder form, it proves highly palatable to fish, maximizing treatment effectiveness while minimizing waste and pollution associated with traditional medication methods.
The key ingredient in this innovative bioparticle is a combination of chitosan and alginate, naturally derived polysaccharides from crustacean shells and seaweed, respectively. The formulation also includes arginine, an amino acid commonly found in protein-rich foods, and an antimicrobial peptide sourced from a Brazilian arachnid.
Co-author Patrick D. Mathews emphasizes the potential of this bioparticle to enhance drug efficacy in the face of bacterial resistance. Unlike conventional methods that mix medication into fish feed, the bioparticle can be administered directly in water, ensuring precise consumption by the fish and reducing environmental pollution. The research primarily focused on Schwartz’s catfish, an ornamental species native to the Amazon, with promising results in terms of the bioparticle’s penetration into the intestine without causing cytotoxic effects.
The researchers had previously demonstrated the bioparticle’s efficacy against parasites infecting ornamental fish. By delivering the anthelmintic drug praziquantel, the bioparticle successfully targeted parasites, offering potential applications in treating other fish species. An applied patent reflects the promising nature of these formulations.
With plans to extend the research to commercially farmed fish, such as Nile tilapia and Tambaqui, the team aims to address the substantial economic losses in Brazil’s freshwater fish farming industry due to diseases, estimated at USD 84 million annually. The non-toxic nature of the bioparticle to fish and its positive implications for human consumption highlight its potential for widespread application in aquaculture.