Improving Aquaculture production with bioactives from olive oil processing by-products.

Project Information

AQUOLIVE

Grant agreement ID: 830202

DOI

10.3030/830202

Project closed

EC signature date 28 February 2019

Start date 1 March 2019

End date 31 August 2021

Funded under

• INDUSTRIAL LEADERSHIP - Innovation In SMEs

Total cost

€ 2 492 182,25

EU contribution

€ 1 744 527,57

Coordinated by

NATAC BIOTECH SL
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - AQUOLIVE (Improving Aquaculture production with bioactives from olive oil processing by-products.)

Reporting period: 2021-03-01 to 2021-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

According to the United Nations, it is estimated that by 2050 aquaculture production will have to increase by 50% in order to meet the demand for fish caused by population growth. This increase represents a great challenge for the sector, which is looking for innovative solutions in the market to enable a sustainable transition and ensure the necessary growth.
Natac is a leading company in the development and commercialisation of healthy ingredients of natural origin, which has developed a sustainable business model based on the upcycling of raw materials of botanic origin. This model is based on the integral use of available resources, valorising the value chain and reducing the environmental impact.
Following this upcycling strategy, Natac has developed AQUOLIVE, a highly innovative product for salmon aquaculture, which improves the health and welfare of the fish, while making a decisive contribution to improving the sustainability of the entire value chain.
The primary objective of the AQUOLIVE project is to develop and launch this innovative additive from a natural source that the salmon aquaculture industry will use to increase fish resilience and quality in a cost-effective way.
AQUOLIVE is a unique and patented formulation of bioactive compounds present in olive trees to improve the health of farmed salmon. The product is obtained from olive biomass following the upcycling principle, using as raw material products from the olive industry that, if not used otherwise, would cause environmental and economic impact.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The project has developed very well, according to the initial schedule and with a slight delay derived from COVID-19 pandemic. AQUOLIVE industrial process has been brought to industrial scale and all process steps have been optimized and adjusted to improve yield and decrease cost.
A DEMO sea cage trial has been fully conducted in Norway (IRTA facilities). The test has been carried out with salmons from 600 g to almost 6 kg. During the DEMO trial we have observed an improvement SGR. All the analytics performed shown no negative effects on experimental group, ensuring safety of AQUOLIVE for salmons. Additionally, a set of tank trials have been conducted in IRTA facilities: A growth trial, including smoltification phase (from 50 to 250 g) and a bacterial challenge trial. A decrease in FCR has been proved after smoltification phase. Besides, according to the transcriptomic analysis conducted, the mode of action of AQUOLIVE is related with a very potent and controlled immunomodulatory effect both at systemic (head kidney) and local (gut) levels, as well as a modulation of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. AQUOLIVE presents a controlled immunomodulatory effect, meaning that fish are better prepared for any challenge compromising fish immunity -as shown the challenge experiments with A. salmonicida).
An extensive dissemination, communication and commercialization plan has been put in place. Among other actions, it has been done a promotional video and 4 peer reviewed articles are foreseen (one of them already published). To coordinate the project management and also the technical aspects it has been created the General Management Board (GMB) and the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), both teams in the framework of WP 6.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

AQUOLIVE will contribute to secure sufficient fish meat supply and also to increase the nutritional value of farmed salmon. This feed additive increases the whole value chain sustainability, contributing to the Blue Revolution goals.
AQUOLIVE brings additional socio-economic value to the entire value chain by linking olive producers in Southern Europe with Norwegian salmon farmers. It is a product based on the integrated use of available resources and improves the sustainability of aquaculture through a circular economy project.

Project logo