ICAR-CIBA on 23rd May, 2022 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s. Naturalle Herbal Remedies Pvt. Ltd. for contract research for evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of RESURGE (herbal product) for Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in shrimp and for evaluation of bactericidal efficacy of WIPE & LEAP (two herbal formulation products) against vibrio species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At present, application of herbal products in disease management is gaining success, as herbal treatment is cost effective, eco-friendly and has no side effects in general. It opens up a new way in enhancing the immune function of aquatic animals due to their antioxidant and antimicrobiological properties. Dr. K.P. Jithendran, Director, ICAR-CIBA presided over the signing of these two MoUs, briefed that shrimp disease management is not easy and it is more complex than disease prevention. He highlighted that use of herbs act as anti-pathogenic, antibiotic and strengthens the immune system of aquatic organisms.
Dr. M. Poornima, Principal scientist and Team Leader of this program narrated that diseases are major glitches faced by the aquaculture industry. She explained about the importance of this MoU and the competence of the aquatic animal health division in carrying out such research programmes. Microorganisms cause serious losses in shrimp culture, due to devastating economic loss which significantly affected aqua farms. In view of the above, she wished that if these herbal formulations are effective as remedy for diseases like hepatic microsporidiosis and bacterial diseases, then this strategy may paves way as alternative to usage of antibiotics / chemicals inputs in aquaculture.
Mr. Dolendra Prasad highlighted that CIBA is a technology transfer pool to turn research into products. He also informed that the contract research to be developed to address the issues in hatcheries and farms and also to sustain aquaculture environment for their long term use. Application of herbal extracts act as a treatment method against viral diseases in fish and shrimp aquaculture. He also stressed that these products can be used by farmers / entrepreneurs / researchers and leaves scope to extend further for formulations based on research needs as new projects.
Dr P.K. Patil, Principal Scientist, Officer-in-Charge, ITMU, welcomed the gathering and briefed about the background of the work and their innovative alternate method to the sector. The event ended with vote of thanks by him.
