Chitin/Chitosan as an Immunostimulant - Case Study
Chitin is component of several crustacean and insect carapace. It is an energy source for several species which can degrade chitin through special enzymes.
Disease control, profilaxis and eradication are based on the use of vaccines and chemiotherapeutical substances. But there are a number of pathologies that have no known cure. There are for example, the case of Piscirichettsiosis in Chilean salmon industry and the disease that massively attack shrimp industries around the world, against which there is no known specific prevention or cure.
One of the prophylactic alternatives available is the use of agents that stimulate the immunological system of the animal. Among these agents there are the complex polysaccharides such as chitosan. Chitosan is a derivative of chitin, which is found in krill. Chitosan has been found to be an immunostimulant in salmon and trout when administered as orally (in the feed) or injected. Krill is a source of chitin, which is now being tested as a stimulant of the immune system for several species.
References:
Dietary intake of immunostimulant by rainbow trout affects non-specific immunity and protection against furunculosis. Siwicki, A.K., Anderson, D.P. and Rumsey, G.L. (1994) Veterinary immunology and immunopathology, 41:125-139
It reports a significant increase in the specific immunity of salmon and trout. It shows protection against furunculosis when chitosan is used in the diet.
Duration of protection against Aeromona salmonicida in brook trout immunostimulated with glucan or chitosan by injection or immersion.. Anderson, D.P. and Siwicki, A.K. (1994) Progressive Fish-culturist, 56 (4):258-261
It shows that the fish mortality due to Aeromona salmonicida can be reduced by 50% when using injected chitosan or when it is applied in a bath by immersion.
Chitin and Chitosan sources, chemistry, biochemistry, physical properties and applications. G. Skjak – Brack, Paul Sanford, and T. Anthonsen, (1988) pp 243-253, 269-279, 299-309
Other Works:
Effect of Growth Performance P. Vannamei. (1997).
"The addition of krill in experimental diets has significantly increased the growth rate of shrimp," says P. Vannamei. Krill was added in the same proportion that fish meal was subtracted from the diet.
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