Project Number: 6408-41000-005-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Dec 07, 2004
End Date: Dec 06, 2009

Objective:
Discovery and primary development of novel natural or natural product-based compounds for controlling undesirable microbes and off-flavors in aquaculture and to determine the optimal management approaches of new and current algicides and bactericides for controlling undesirable microbes and off-flavors in aquaculture.

Approach:
Conduct bacterial and cyanobacterial bioassays to identify natural or natural product-based compounds as potential leads for use in managing diseases and as selective algicides to control environmentally-derived off-flavors in catfish aquaculture. Efficacy testing of the most promising compounds will be performed using aquaria, limnocorrals, and in replicated pond studies. Perform replicated pond studies to determine the holding period required to permit off-flavor catfish to become on-flavor after applications of algicides to ponds to remove off-flavor cyanobacteria. Perform primary development of promising natural compounds identified from bacterial and cyanobacterial bioassays for use as therapeutic drugs and selective algicides to manage common catfish diseases, improve catfish health, and improve product quality.