LUDHIANA: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS), GOI sanctioned 3-years research project “Development of phage-based strategies for biocontrol of antibiotic resistant Aeromonas species in fishery products”, with the grant of Rs. 28.11 lakhs to Department of Aquatic Environment, College of Fisheries (COF), Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU).
Dr. Anuj Tyagi, Assistant Professor (Fish Microbiology), Principal Investigator (PI) of the project revealed that various Aeromonas (bacteria) species are important fish pathogens, causing gastroenteritis (vomiting/diarrhoea/nausea) in humans. Chemical/antibiotics are often used to control bacterial pathogens in fish/fishery products, but due to increasing consumer awareness and global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), there is an urgent need to develop alternative control strategies to safeguard the environment and consumer health, he added.
In this research project, bacteria killing virues called “phages” will be used to control Aeromonas contamination in fishery products to develop phage-cocktails (mixtures) that could be applied directly by the consumer/seller/industry. Dr. Tyagi (PI) & Dr. Vijay Kumar Reddy, Scientist, Department of Fish Processing Technology (Co-PI) will be testing various phage mixtures to prevent Aeromonas contamination in fish/fishery products.
Dr. Vaneet Inder Kaur, Head, Dept. of Aquatic Environment informed that phages are harmless to humans and could be utilized as an attractive alternative in fish and livestock processing industry to enhance consumer safety. Congratualting the scientists, Dr. Meera D. Ansal, Dean, COF said that rapidly emerging antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the environment necessitates to develop eco-friendly organic solutions to curtail use of harmful chemicals in food industry. Output of the project will present a novel biocontrol product with prodigious commercial application, she added.
Dr. J.P.S. Gill, Director of Reserach, GADVASU complimented the scientists for working on an important aspect to address dual issues of AMR and food safety. Dr. Inderjeet Singh, Vice Chancellor, GADVASU also congratulated the team and eulogized the consistant efforts and contributions made by Department of Aquatic Environment, COF in winning promising research projects for addressig emerging health management issues of the fisheries sector.