Investing in feed

Gustav-Erik Blaalid
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Kate Casey Researchers from the Araucana Institute’s School of Aquaculture in Puerto Montt will present today their project, “Obtainment of a commercial product of betaine to be used as an osmoregulator in diets for acuatic species.” The project has been in development since January of this year and recently received the joint funding necessary from private and public sectors. The project objective is to design and install a pilot biotechnological plant for the production of a high quality betaine product. Betaine, also commonly known as TMG (Trimethylglycine) is an amino acid that serves various biological functions for mammals and fish. As for the fish, it relieves osmotic pressure in cells and is commonly used in aquaculture feeds. Diets for smolts require betaine to prepare the fish for the transition from fresh water to sea-water. Betaine was originally derived from sugar beets, and unbeknownst to most Chile is one the world’s largest sugar beet producers. The intention of the Araucana Institute’s School of Aquaculture is to achieve production of high quality betaine products at a competitive price, with improved characteristics for its use in salmon and shrimp feed production plants.

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