AQUACULTURE

Shaping Aquaculture Pathogens: The Role of Polymers and Immersion

Most aquaculture equipment is made of plastic, which can host biofilms containing potential human pathogenic bacteria (PHPB) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). This project studied how material type and immersion time shape these bacterial communities by combining metabarcoding, bacterial cultures, and antibiotic susceptibility testing on plastic nets, a hemp net, and a glass control over a three-month period. Plastics did not increase overall PHPB levels or multidrug resistance but showed distinct profiles, with Vibrionaceae and Staphylococcaceae dominating (47% and 22% of PHPB reads, respectively) and higher resistance to quinolones. These findings suggest that aquaculture equipment can act as a reservoir for specific PHPB and ARB, highlighting material choice and immersion time as key levers for managing microbiological risks.

PMC

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Floating Aquaculture System with Self-Regulating Buoys

The aquaculture system features a surface buoy, a control buoy, and a buoyant backbone, all connected by pulleys and control lines. The greater buoyancy of the surface buoy causes the control buoy and the backbone to float below the water surface.  As the water level rises, the surface buoy pulls the control buoy downward, allowing the backbone to rise, thereby creating a self-adjusting, dynamic system.

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MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Living Microalgae Embedded in Microfibers: Production Process

A process is described for producing a microfiber (6) containing living microalgae (1), comprising: mixing microalgae (1) with a biomaterial (2) in a nutrient medium (4); and microfluidic spinning (5) of the mixture, followed by polymerization. The microfluidic spinning (5) is performed in a microfluidic chip (11) equipped with a spinning die (13) featuring a grooved section, resulting in a microfiber with a grooved cross-sectional profile (14).

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Method for Extracting Collagen Hydrate from Freshwater Fish Skin

The invention describes a method for producing collagen hydrate from freshwater fish skin. The skins are cleaned of scales, muscle tissue, fins, and other contaminants, washed with soap and water, and then treated with a 3% hydrogen peroxide and 3% sodium hydroxide solution at 20–25°C for 1.5–2 hours. After rinsing with cold water, the skins are soaked in 3% acetic acid for 6 days, homogenized, and enriched with potassium sorbate (0.1–0.2%), succinic acid (20–25 mg/100 g), and 10% blackcurrant juice, producing fish collagen hydrate suitable for liquids, powders, and films in food, cosmetic, and medical applications, with an extended shelf life.

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Cyanobacterial Extracellular Vesicles as Protein Delivery Systems for Fish Vaccines

Disease outbreaks cause significant losses in fish aquaculture, and vaccination remains the most effective means of prevention. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been investigated as vaccine carriers, although pathogenic EVs face challenges related to toxicity and production. Recent studies have shown that EVs from genetically engineered non-pathogenic microorganisms, such as Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 loaded with sfGFP, remain stable under different storage conditions and after freeze-drying. In European seabass, these EVs were able to elicit specific immune responses, demonstrating their potential as a robust and sustainable platform for antigen delivery in fish.

PMC

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LIVING MARINE RESOURCES

Genetic Insights into Oily Fish Consumption and Multiple Sclerosis

This Mendelian randomization study suggests a potential causal link between dietary habits and the risk of multiple sclerosis, with higher consumption of oily fish  associated with a lower risk of MS in individuals of European ancestry.

PMC

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