Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research Site Logo
ARS Home About Us Helptop nav spacerContact Us En Espanoltop nav spacer
Printable VersionPrintable Version E-mail this pageE-mail this page
Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture
Search
  Advanced Search
Programs and Projects
Subjects of Investigation
 

Research Project: Mitigation of off-Flavors in Catfish Aquaculture

Location: Food Processing and Sensory Quality Research

Project Number: 6435-43440-041-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Dec 22, 2004
End Date: Dec 21, 2009

Objective:
1) Identify and characterize viruses that kill specific off-flavor producing cyanobacteria in aquaculture systems; 2) Identify, characterize, and develop novel bacterial strains that metabolize (biodegrade) geosmin and 2- methylisoborneol, and develop them for use in eliminating those chemicals from aquaculture systems; and 3) Identify and characterize genes and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of off-flavor metabolites in aquaculture systems. Build on an understanding of the mechanisms used in regulating gene expression and in catalysis of individual reactions, and develop methods to control the production of geosmin and MIB.

Approach:
The cyanophage community in catfish ponds will be screened and its members and their cyanobacterial host strains will be identified. Virulent cyanophage that kill specific cyanobacteria (lytic) will be identified and isolated from the environment, and the kinetics of phage replication and cyanobacterial population reduction will be determined. Bacteria will be isolated and characterized regarding ability to degrade geosmin or MIB at relevant concentrations, metabolic pathways employed and metabolites produced, mechanisms for controlling geosmin and MIB degradative enzyme biosynthesis, and taxonomy. Towards development of methods for controlling off-flavor production, the genes and enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway of MIB and geosmin will be characterized.

   

 
Project Team
Hurlburt, Barry
Eaton, Richard
Grimm, Casey
 
Project Annual Reports
  FY 2008
  FY 2007
  FY 2006
  FY 2005
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Aquaculture (106)
 
 
Last Modified: 12/02/2009
ARS Home | USDA.gov | Site Map | Policies and Links 
FOIA | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Nondiscrimination Statement | Information Quality | USA.gov | White House