Vetagro and Onda report promising results from phytogenics trial against Yersinia ruckeri.
Italian feed additive producer Vetagro and Canadian aquaculture research firm Onda have announced positive results from a joint study evaluating microencapsulated phytogenics for use against Yersinia ruckeri in rainbow trout.
The pathogen is a significant challenge for freshwater producers, causing mortality and growth losses, and complicating disease management due to chronic infections and asymptomatic carriers.
In the study, two microencapsulated phytogenic feed prototypes demonstrated statistically significant reductions in mortality of 26.3% and 29.3% compared to the control. According to the companies, the test diets were well accepted by juvenile rainbow trout, indicating potential for use in commercial systems.
“Vetagro was founded by a group of professors from the University with the strategic mission to transform scientific innovation into market-ready solutions,” said Ester Grilli, VP and Head of Marketing and Innovation at Vetagro. “Here we are now in 2025 putting science and experience in microincapsulation at the service of the aquaculture sector.”
Onda CEO Myrna Gillis said: “We’re proud to have partnered with Vetagro on this forward-thinking research. This work exemplifies how scientific collaboration drives innovation—translating cutting-edge research into practical solutions for aquaculture producers navigating growing sustainability and regulatory demands.”
The results highlight growing interest in non-antibiotic approaches to fish health management as producers face pressure to reduce antimicrobial use. Vetagro’s proprietary encapsulation technology is designed to deliver bioactive compounds directly to the site of action in the digestive tract, helping preserve efficacy and optimise dosage.
The companies say the trial is part of a broader effort to develop sustainable, scalable alternatives to traditional disease treatments in aquaculture.