APB-BIO
Leading the Phage Transformation in Aquaculture

Applied Blue BioTechnology (APBBIO), a biotech company, promotes innovation and sustainability through Aquaculture research and development (R&D). The firm specializes in bacteriophage therapy and bioremediation for shrimp pond management. Its technology improves health, and enhances growth of aquatic organisms, leading to higher yields and better financial outcomes for farmers. APB-BIO is committed to creating an impact that extends beyond Ecuador’s borders, transforming aquaculture globally.

Ecuador is the world’s leading shrimp producer, yet its farmers grapple with significant challenges. Bacterial pathogens like Vibrio spp. impose substantial economic strains on producers, affecting 20 to 40 percent of shrimp farms around the world, with annual losses estimated to be more than $10 billion.

“Leveraging groundbreaking technology, we have successfully introduced several bacteriophage-based products that offer prophylactic and therapeutic means for shrimp infected with various pathogenic Vibrio species,” says Daniel Aguilera, president of APB-BIO, where he emphasizes the capabilities of bacteriophages that eliminate specific bacteria at the strain level. These viruses are engineered to target specific pathogenic bacteria and serve as therapeutic remedies for bacterial diseases in shrimp production.

Bacteriophages exhibit a remarkable specificity, sparing the native gut microbiota, probiotics, and other beneficial bacteria. APB-BIO’s application of bacteriophages has proven effective in combating diseases, healing infections, and generating significant benefits in microbiological efficacy, shrimp development, and feed conversion ratio, thereby enhancing overall profitability. The tangible results speak volumes, as clients experience a significant recovery in production that might exceed 50 percent when Vibrio sp. disease severely hinders their production despite having well-equipped farms. This remarkable improvement is evident in commercial farms settings, where productions have shown recoveries from 5000 to 8000 pounds per hectare as a response to APB-BIO Technologies. These results are reflected in outstanding health conditions, even in agressive environments.

However, integrating phages into daily shrimp farming practices require continuous monitoring and diagnostic protocols, which are hindered by many farm’s remote locations. In this regard, APB-BIO’s technological training gives clear information about its products, environmental conditions, and suitable testing and monitoring practices, which is supplemented by social media educational channel. This includes assessing crop responses to treatments and making investments in their long-term sustainability.

APB-BIO has further created methodologies tailored for efficient pathogen and environmental surveillance, explicitly addressing the realities shrimp producers face, which is effectively put into service for customers.

In other research field, APB-BIO is developing nitrifying bacteria that convert oxidizing ammonia to nitrite and then further oxidizing nitrite to nitrate, which will aid in decontamination. The firm is in trial phases for sulfur-oxidizing and phosphate-precipitating bacteria, both of which are promising solutions.

“We handle every aspect of product development internally, from initial in vitro assays to field trials, as well as manufacturing and commercialization,” adds Aguilera. “Our cutting edge laboratory enables us to provide our clients with comprehensive diagnostic services, including rt-PCR-based methodologies for pathogen detection and environmental studies that assess water and soil quality.” This holistic approach focuses on product sales and helps shrimp farmers adopt beneficial methods and practices, providing them with the knowledge required to make informed decisions in their daily operations.

APB-BIO is a pioneer in the entire American continent to successfully research, develop and introduce at commercial level, Phage Technology into the Aquaculture market. The company’s success stems from its extensive infrastructure and experience. Leveraging the expertise of its highly skilled specialists, the company possesses the necessary resources to develop and deploy innovative bioproducts.

The company has enhanced productivity and sustainability in aquaculture operations. Its application of bacteriophages has enhanced Ecuadorian aquaculture by addressing vibriosis and AHPND disease events related to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in nursery and grow-out ponds. The benefits of Vibrio control were reflected in significant improvements in productivity during nursery, transfer and in grow-out ponds across all evaluated geographic areas. Subsequently, there was a significant reduction in the shrimp’s mortality rate from the fourth day of treatment. For therapeutic treatments, APB-BIO’s bacteriophages were used periodically from 7 to 14 days, resulting in a reduction of up to 1,000 times in the concentration of specific bacterial groups targeted for combat. The phages emerge as an effective alternative to combat bacterial diseases caused by Vibrio sp in shrimp farming.

The experience developed in the past few years by facing challenges in the aquaculture industry has solidified the company’s position as a leader in the field. Treading ahead, APB-BIO intends to develop new technologies, on bacteriophage therapy, to combat new bacterial threats involved in various pathologies in aquaculture, and diseases affecting land animals.

To promote sustainable aquaculture practices, APB-BIO continues its pursuit of transformative solutions that benefit the industry and environment.