01/09/2014: BioMar Chile presents new strategy for the control of sea lice

A new natural tool for the control of sea lice allows for a significant reduction in
parasite burden.

Tests carried out by BioMar in Chile to control the caligidosis in salmon have discovered
that a compound derived from the soap bark tree, a Chilean endemic tree, might help to
significantly reduce the parasite burden. The compound forms part of the formulation of
FOCUS PreLice, a new functional diet launched by BioMar this week. The new diet also
contains other active ingredients in order to enhance the mucus production and the
regeneration of tissue by exerting a synergistic action.

According to Michael Adler, R&D Manager for BioMar’s Americas region, the control of the
ectoparasites Lepeophtheirus and Caligus in salmonids is a high priority area for BioMar
R&D: - For the last six years, we have been working with the ultimate goal of finding
methods to reduce and control the burden of infestation on farmed salmons, and if
possible, to reduce the use of chemotherapeutic agents. As part of this development, we
identified an extract of the Chilean soap bark tree as one of the interesting candidates,
Michael Adler explained during a launching event which took place in Puerto Varas in
Chile.

The evaluation process was initiated with in vitro test of the different compounds, which
allowed for making a selection according to their toxic effect on an inoculum of an adult
sea louse. Subsequently, the compound was tested in an in vivo trial, in which the sea lice
infestation rate was reduced by more than 40 percent. 

Finally, using the final recipe of the new FOCUS PreLice diet, results from trials in
commercial farms in Chile verified the results obtained from controlled conditions; it was
possible to document a reduction in the infestation rate by an average of 43 percent.

FOCUS PreLice was designed as a tool to reduce the rate of sea lice infestation, with the
target to decrease in the frequency of bath and oral treatments. Moreover, it stimulates the
production of mucus, thus improving the external barrier to infection and promotes the
synthesis of collagen and the skin regeneration.

Michael Adler underlined that it is important to remember that in practice, there exists an
enormous variability in the parasite burden, which means that results may differ: - But the
results, both in vitro and in vivo are clear, and we believe that it is possible to obtain even
better results with a prolonged and more widespread use of FOCUS PreLice.

For BioMar’s R&D team, it has been a plus that the solution has been discovered in the Chilean nature:

"We are launching a natural tool which is environmentally friendly, both in terms of usage and procurement, as the active ingredient is a purified extract from a certified sustainable extraction from the Chilean soap bark tree," concluded Michael Adler.

BioMar Group
Vaerkmestergade 25
6th floor - 8000 Aarhus 
C - Denmark
Phone +45 86 20 49 70
www.biomar.com



BIOMAR GROUP
Caption:
Alin Casado, Product Developer and
Michael Adler, R&D Manager
BioMar Americas

For further information  contact:
Alin Casado, acasado@biomar.com
Henrik Aarestrup, haa@biomar.com 
Tel: +45 25 50 50 71

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