The European first generation of aquaculture SERS-based Biosensor

ended

Aquaculture industry has turned essential to fulfil the growing demand of fish & shellfish seafood. With latest global production peaked at 171 M tones in 2016, aquaculture represented 47% of the total and a first sale value of $232 billion. Nonetheless, in spite of its importance, yet the early detection and monitoring of infectious disease agents during the whole process is not sensitive neither fast enough. Consequently, aquaculture industry faces up to $6 billion per year of productivity losses due to uncontrollable diseases, because they are not identified on time. In response, we have developed the first equipment for the detection of infection diseases within minutes in aquaculture. Our solution uses antibody-gold nanoparticles that specifically capture the infection disease agents present in water sample. Once combined, the agent-antibody-nanoparticles cross a microfluid chamber that after been irradiating gives an amplified light signal if the agent is present. This signal is immediately detected by surface-enhanced RAMAN spectroscopy (SERS). Thanks to the sensitivity of the SERS-technology, our equipment enables a fast treatment respond within 30 min for three of the main infections in Europe affecting salmon, abalone and flatfish. Thus, thanks to AQUASERS equipment we will reduce the productivity losses for salmon, abalone & flatfishs in Europe and Worldwide. Furthermore, after 4-year sales, our product will give net revenues of ~€66.84M, net profits of ~€46.64M and considering the investment of €2.69M, a ROI of ~17.33 euro per € invested.