Oriental Aquamarine Biotech (India) P Ltd offers a patented NITRIFYING BIOREACTOR TECHNOLOGY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RECIRCULATING AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS (RAS). Scientists at the National Centre for Aquatic Animal Health, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi (www.ncaah.org) developed the technology with funding from the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, New Delhi.

The Nitrifying Bioreactor technology facilitates management of water quality in a hatchery with maximum consistency, and least incidence of diseases and offers reef quality oligotrophic water. Recirculating larval production systems, which could be developed by incorporating this technology, totally eliminates the application of chemical disinfectants, antibiotic and other chemotherapeutic agents, facilitating organic seed production in its truest form.

The Nitrifying Bioreactor Technology for the establishment of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) was developed after 16 years of research by implementing the following projects funded by arms of Government of India. The project was initiated in April 1995. The details are given below:

Project 1

a) Title : Development of bioreactors for nitrifying water in closed system prawn hatcheries.
b) Funding agency : Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India.

Project 2

a) Title : Demonstration and validation of the nitrifying bioreactors developed for penaeid and non penaeid closed hatchery systems.
b) Funding agency : Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India.

Project 3

a) Title : Nitrifying bioreactors integrated into prawn hatchery systems: Biofilm structure, population dynamics, and kinetic modeling.
b) Funding agency :Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India.

Subsequently M/s Oriental Aquamarine Biotech India (P) Limited and National Centre for Animal Aquatic Health jointly undertook a project for technology commercialization. This was supported by Department of Biotechnology, Government of India under the Small Business Innovation Research Initiative (SBIRI) Program.

Project 4

a) Title : Design Modification and Commercialization of Nitrifying Bioreactor Technology for the Establishment of Organic Recirculation Prawn Seed Production System (Phase II).
b) Funding agency :Department of Biotechnology, Government of India under SBIRI Programme.