To respond to one of the concerns of the aquaculture industry, PHARMAQ Analytiq, part of Zoetis, is researching and developing a diagnostic service that allows determining the viability of Atlantic Salmon eggs.
With the objective of learning about the progress of the project “Diagnosis of Salmo Salar Eggs based on Embryonic Morpho-Functional Quantification (21CVID2-183915)”, representatives of Corfo visited the PHARMAQ Analytiq facilities in Puerto Montt. This innovative project, executed under the Reactívate Business R&D+i Crea y Valida Line, began in November 2021 and is close to completion in June of this year.
The purpose of this study is to investigate and develop a diagnostic methodology that allows the viability of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) eggs to be determined with great precision, using computational algorithms of our own design. It was born from a concern in the industry, that in 2021 alone – according to Sernapesca figures – of the 537 million eggs produced, between 30 to 50 percent suffered from embryonic death, corresponding to 50 million eggs lost per year and a loss close to 25 million dollars.
This approach seeks to reduce the significant productive losses of embryonic biomass that the salmon industry faces due to congenital malformations and mortality in larval stages. “It is an embryonic diagnosis service, based on the qualitative analysis of images – mediated by proprietary software codes – to discriminate between healthy or normal eggs from those with varying degrees of alterations. It also allows the detection and quantification of specific morphofunctional malformations in pre- and post-hatching embryonic stages, in Atlantic Salmon eggs produced by the aquaculture industry. Thus, this technology will make it possible to anticipate the results of batches of eggs regarding malformations or unviable conditions, allowing the application of mitigation measures, redesigning production and finally avoiding economic losses associated with the expense of cultivating non-viable or low-performing biological material,” he explains. the project leader, Business Unit Director of PHARMAQ Analytiq, Carlos Lobos.
The executors of the project highlight that this solution opens a technological window for research and improvement of egg cultivation conditions, as well as for the selection of reproducers with great productive potential. This will allow the optimization of culture conditions since certain congenital defects may correspond to disorders acquired during the incubation of the eggs, and will allow the adequate selection of the pedigree of reproducers based on the animals with the greatest potential to generate healthy embryos, in addition to help identify suboptimal environmental conditions that impact the viability and vitality of the progeny.
David Espinoza, regional director(s) of Corfo Los Lagos expressed that “we have had the opportunity to learn up close about the impressive progress of the project “Diagnosis of Salmo Salar Eggs based on Embryonic Morpho-Functional Quantification” executed under the Crea y Valida R+D+i Business Reactivate Line of Corfo and that reflects our commitment to innovation and sustainability in the aquaculture industry. The accuracy and diagnostic capabilities of the software developed by Pharmaq Analytic are remarkable. The technology presented has the potential to revolutionize the salmon industry by reducing productive losses of embryonic biomass. This advance is crucial, considering that, according to Sernapesca figures, between 30 and 50 percent of the 537 million eggs produced in 2021 suffered embryonic death, representing a significant economic loss. During our visit, we witnessed the commitment and dedication of Pharmaq Analytic’s multidisciplinary team, made up of experts in biomedicine, fertility, embryonic development, computer engineering and business. Their work exemplifies how collaboration and innovation can address complex challenges and generate high-impact solutions. We have reaffirmed our conviction that supporting projects like this is fundamental to the development of the aquaculture industry in Chile. At Corfo, we will continue to promote and support initiatives that drive innovation, improve competitiveness and contribute to the sustainability of our productive sectors,” he said.
During the visit, PHARMAQ Analytiq presented the main milestones of the project and showed the achievements achieved to date. The presentation included a demonstration of the developed software, capable of carrying out a quantitative analysis of the embryonic structure and function, achieving a precision in the viability of the eggs of between 85 and 90%. This advance represents a significant solution for the aquaculture industry, which currently faces losses of between 20 and 50% of embryos during the pre-hatch larval stage, in addition to losses close to 30% in post-hatch larval stages.
This methodology not only improves the selection of viable eggs, but also contributes to the optimization of production and the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. To carry out this work there is a multidisciplinary team in the areas of biomedicine, fertility, embryonic development, computer engineering and business.
Visit Laboratory
After the presentation, Corfo representatives took a tour of the PHARMAQ Analytiq laboratory, where they were able to observe first-hand the operation of the developed technologies and their application in the diagnosis of salmon eggs thanks to the participation of the different disciplines implemented. in the diagnostic laboratory.
This visit reaffirms Corfo’s commitment to innovation and the development of technological solutions that promote the competitiveness and sustainability of the aquaculture industry in Chile.
For more information about the project and future developments, please contact [email protected] for more details about Corfo’s initiatives and its @corfoloslagos support programs for innovation, visit www.corfo.cl or follow us on our social networks.
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