Day One
Biomin research and development facilities, the BIOMIN Research Center, are integral in the research university campus at Tulln in Lower Austria, but which is some 50km north-west of Vienna on the Danube River. The first day saw the group visiting Biomin’s laboratories throughout the university, that were dedicated to plant biotechnology, mycotoxin strategies, disease challenges, phytogenics and pathogen control all centred on aquaculture and aquatic species.
It was clear from the facilities dedicated to this research into products to counter the impact of mycotoxin on fish species, in particular, that aquaculture nutrition and sustainability is at the forefront of this company’s developments when it comes to new products.
The day was rounded off with discussions and a visit to the Göttweig Abbey, a further 30km west along the Danube River, and near the town of Krems.
Day Two
The venue for a series of lectures was held at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna the following day. The half-day seminar was introduced by Professor Mansour El-Marbouti, who heads the Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health and who has published 137 papers on topics relating to this discipline and has expertise in fish diseases, fish bacteriology, fish virology and fish mycology.
Brief lectures covered topics from ‘Probiotics as modulators of the gastro intestinal tract’, delivered by invited PhD student Benedict Standen of Plymouth University in the UK: A presentation International Aquafeed will be reporting on in an upcoming edition.
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| Image: Loozrboy |
Biomin researchers explored the research behind several of its aquatic products including the ‘Effective beneficial bacteria in aquaculture’ delivered through its product AquaStar and presented by Jutta Zwielehner. The ‘Importance of phytogenic supplementation in aquafeeds’, by Otavio Castro was another well-received presentation. And Pedro Encarnacao Biomin’s aquaculture technical director based in Singapore, summarised the morning session for delegates.
We should not overlook the presentation made by Jorge Dias on the ‘Trends in feed formulation and feed technology’ and the impact this will have on meeting the growing demand of a world struggling to feed itself adequately; another presentation International Aquafeed will be reporting in more details upon.
The afternoon was taken up with delegates and staff from Biomin touring the fish trials facilities at the University of Veterinary Medicine before the group has one final meeting at the restaurant Viennese Heurigen ‘Weingut am Reisenberg’ overlooking the city of Vienna.
Overview
This was a most valuable visit with a balance of research explained, industry issues addressed and a close look at the trials and tribulations that go into product development. It also gave visitors time to network among themselves and exchange knowledge and points-of-view, but overall it brought home the message that aquaculture needs companies to commit to research and development at this level if industry is to supply a cost-effective food protein at affordable prices and in a consistent, safe and efficient manner.
Many thanks to Biomin for its ongoing initiative to engage with the aquaculture industry at this level and in this depth.
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