A recent study conducted by the Aquaculture Research Institute has shown promising results for the use of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) in shrimp farming. TCCA is a widely used disinfectant and water treatment chemical, but its potential for use in aquaculture had not been thoroughly explored until now.
The study, which was funded by the National Science Foundation, aimed to investigate the effects of TCCA on the growth and health of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in a recirculating aquaculture system. The researchers tested different concentrations of TCCA in the water, ranging from 0 to 5 ppm, and monitored the shrimp for a period of six weeks.
The results showed that the shrimp in the TCCA-treated tanks had significantly higher survival rates and growth rates than those in the control group. The highest concentration of TCCA (5 ppm) produced the best results, with a survival rate of 93% and a final weight of 7.8 grams, compared to a survival rate of 73% and a final weight of 5.6 grams in the control group.
In addition to its positive effects on shrimp growth and survival, TCCA also proved effective in controlling the growth of harmful bacteria and parasites in the water. This is important in shrimp farming, as these pathogens can cause diseases that can devastate entire populations of shrimp.
The use of TCCA in aquaculture is not without controversy, however. Some environmental groups have expressed concern about the potential for TCCA to create harmful byproducts when it reacts with organic matter in the water. The researchers behind the study acknowledge these concerns, but point out that their results suggest that TCCA can be used safely and effectively in aquaculture at the right concentrations.
The next step for the researchers is to conduct further studies to investigate the long-term effects of TCCA on shrimp growth, health, and the environment. They hope that their findings will help to establish TCCA as a valuable tool for shrimp farmers around the world, particularly in regions where diseases and other environmental factors pose a significant threat to shrimp populations.
Overall, this study represents an important step forward in the use of TCCA in aquaculture. By demonstrating its potential to improve shrimp growth and survival, while also controlling harmful pathogens, the researchers have shown that TCCA has a valuable role to play in the future of sustainable shrimp farming.
Post time: Apr-28-2023