EM•1® for Aquaculture
Looking for guidance specific to your species or system — shrimp, tilapia, catfish, or another operation? Contact our technical team.
This page covers commercial aquaculture applications of EM•1® — shrimp farming, fish production, larval rearing, and pond management. For effluent and wastewater management from aquaculture operations, see EM•1® for Wastewater.
EM•1® Microbial Inoculant, manufactured by EMRO USA under authorization from EM Research Organization, Inc. (Japan), has been used in commercial aquaculture operations worldwide for decades. It is the only EM Technology® product manufactured in the United States. EM•1® has also been the subject of published, peer-reviewed research involving shrimp production systems conducted at the University of Arizona — see the Published Research section below. Contact EMRO USA for volume pricing and technical program support.
What EM•1® Is
EM•1® Microbial Inoculant is a liquid multi-species culture of naturally occurring microorganisms — lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and photosynthetic bacteria — co-fermented into a stable community. Read more about what EM Technology® is and how it works.
Published Research
EM•1® is one of the few commercial microbial products used in aquaculture with published, peer-reviewed research specifically evaluating its use in shrimp production systems. Both studies below were conducted at the University of Arizona and published in international scientific journals.
Pinoargote et al. (2018) — Aquaculture Research (Wiley)
This study evaluated four probiotic formulations on Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) challenged with the pathogenic strain of Vibrio parahaemolyticus associated with Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) in a controlled laboratory challenge setting. Treatments compared: single-strain Lactobacillus casei, two multi-strain combinations, and EM•1®.
Study scope and limitations
This controlled laboratory challenge study evaluated several probiotic treatments under a specific experimental design involving AHPND-associated Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Differences among treatment groups were observed under the conditions used in this study. The study was not designed to establish disease prevention, disease treatment, or commercial production outcomes, and its findings should not be interpreted as a guarantee of results in commercial aquaculture operations. Full results are available in the published paper.
Read the full study: DOI 10.1111/are.13791 →
Pinoargote & Ravishankar (2018) — Journal of Probiotics & Health
This companion study evaluated probiotic solutions, including EM•1®, against Vibrio parahaemolyticus using in-vitro laboratory methods (disk diffusion and liquid media challenge tests).
Study scope and limitations
Differences between treatment and control conditions were observed under the laboratory methods used in this study. This was an in-vitro laboratory evaluation and was not designed to assess disease prevention, disease treatment, animal health outcomes, or commercial production performance. Full methodology and results are available in the published paper.
Read the full study: DOI 10.4172/2329-8901.1000193 →
Citations: Pinoargote G, Flores G, Cooper K, Ravishankar S. Aquaculture Research. 2018. DOI: 10.1111/are.13791. Pinoargote G, Ravishankar S. Journal of Probiotics & Health. 2018. DOI: 10.4172/2329-8901.1000193. Both studies are open-access and freely available at the links above. Ask our technical team for additional context on study design and limitations.
Where Aquaculture Producers Apply EM•1®
Producers incorporate EM•1® at several points in an operation, depending on their management practices and existing program:
Water reservoir application
Applied to incoming water before it enters the production system.
Larval & postlarval rearing
Used in hatchery and nursery systems as part of routine management practices.
Pond water management
Ongoing water column applications throughout the grow-out phase.
Feed application
Applied to feed as part of feed management practices where permitted by the operation's program and applicable regulations.
Pond bottom application
Applied to pond bottom sediment as part of routine management.
EM•1® Across Aquaculture Species
Producers across the following species and systems incorporate EM•1® into their operations:
| Species / System | Common Application Points |
|---|---|
| Pacific white shrimp (L. vannamei) | Water, feed, pond bottom |
| Black tiger shrimp (P. monodon) | Water, feed, pond bottom |
| Tilapia | Water, feed |
| Catfish | Water, feed |
| Salmon & trout | Water, feed |
| Other freshwater & marine species | Consult our technical team |
Certified Organic Operations
A note on organic compliance
EM•1® is OMRI Listed® for specified uses in organic production. Organic aquaculture standards remain limited and vary by certifying body — operations should verify product use with their certifying agent before use. OMRI listing applies to the specific product and use category, and does not by itself validate disease-control or production outcomes.
"EMRO USA is the sole authorized manufacturer of EM Technology® products in the United States and Canada, and the published research on EM•1® in shrimp aquaculture was conducted specifically with EMRO USA's commercial product."
Related EM Technology® Applications
EM•1® for Wastewater
Effluent lagoon and waste system management.
EM•1® for Composting
Aquaculture sludge and organic waste composting.
EM•1® for Agriculture
An overview of EM•1® across commercial crop production.
EM•1® for Livestock
EM•1® in cattle, poultry, swine, and other livestock operations.
What Is EM Technology®?
The science behind Effective Microorganisms®.
Our Certifications
USDA Organic, OMRI Listed®, and more.
Questions About Your Operation?
Whether you operate a commercial shrimp farm, a fish hatchery, or an integrated aquaculture system, our technical team can talk through how EM•1® fits into your existing program.
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EM®, Effective Microorganisms®, EM Technology®, and EM•1® are trademarks of EM Research Organization, Inc. (Japan) and/or EMRO USA, Inc. OMRI Listed® is a registered trademark of the Organic Materials Review Institute.