Both human and animals need a normal bacterial flora in the digestive tract, for protection against disease-causing bacteria and production of compounds that are necessary for a well functioning digestion. We are searching for bacteria that have a positive effect on marine fish larvae. These bacteria can be used for improved control of the bacterial flora in fish, water and feed in intensive juvenile production, thereby inducing improved growth and reduced disease outbreak.

Probiotic bacteria have high relevance in marine juvenile production, where opportunistic bacteria are the cause of disease outbreak and high larval mortality. Live feed organisms may contain high numbers of harmful bacteria when they are fed to the larvae, but this opportunistic microflora can effectively be exchanged with probiotics. In this way it is possible to remove harmful bacteria and introduce beneficial bacteria, via the live feed. Probiotics can also be introduced to the rearing water, for improved control of the water microflora.