Yechiam Shapira

Title : The effect of PAQ-TivateTM as a preservative agent against bacteria and fungi/molds in commercial tilapia feed

Abstract:

In this study, we investigated 5 g of PAQ-TivateTM/kg of feed as a preservative agent against bacteria and fungi in formulated tilapia feed. PAQ-Tivate is a feed additive of organic acids. The feed samples were moistened with 15% distilled water (v/w) and the appropriate amounts of the feed additive were added to the pellets. A sample with no water and no additive served as a negative control, while a sample which included 15% distilled water (v/w) but without any feed additive served as the positive control. All the samples were incubated at 28°C and the humidity level was maintained at 75-85%. Each treatment was sampled at days 1, 3, 7 and 14 from wetting. The test parameters were visual presence of fungi on the pellets, total yeast/ mold count (TYMC) and total aerobic microbial count (TAMC). The results showed that at day 3, the levels of bacteria in the positive control samples were significantly higher compared to the PAQ-TivateTM treatments. At day 14, PAQ-TivateTM treatment of 5 g/kg feed had a significantly lower levels of bacteria compared to the positive control group. With respect to fungal levels on day 14, the 5 g/kg feed treatment of PAQ-TivateTM had a significantly lower count of fungi compared the positive control groups. The 5 g/kg treatment of PAQ-TivateTM resulted in a significant reduction in the fungi/molds count from day 7 to day 14. At day 14, there was a clear growth of fungi on the feed samples of the positive control. There was no visible growth of fungi in the 5 g/kg treatment of PAQ-TivateTM on day 14.

Biography:

Yechiam Shapira has more than 30 years of experience in the aquaculture sector, as a fish farmer, biologist, fish health expert and R&D researcher. He has a master degree in fish health and fish genetics, from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot. In his master research, he was testing various aspects of the Koi Herpes Virus.
As an R&D researcher, Yechiam was in charge of execution of studies in the laboratory and in the field; Development of autogenous vaccines for tilapia and grey mullet; from the isolation of bacteria in the field, design of various vaccine formulations, efficacy trials and field application in the farms; Development of methods for complement activity, lysozyme activity and MIC studies; Today Yechiam is working in Phibro as a Professional support manager for the Israeli fish farmers – fish analysis, farms auditing, deep research of selected topics, development of vaccines and execution of field observations and laboratory trials.