Project Number: 6435-43440-040-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Mar 28, 2001
End Date: Apr 30, 2005

Objective:
Identify biological, chemical, and physical culture conditions that 1) affect the occurrence, abundance, and persistence of benign and off-flavor producing algae in catfish aquaculture systems, and 2)promote/inhibit the biosynthesis of off-flavor metabolite production. Determine the genes regulating off-flavor metabolite biosynthesis. Configure autonomous instruments that selectively measure off-flavor producing algae and environmental variables correlated with their abundance and persistence.

Approach:
The biochemical pathways for the production of off-flavor compounds by noxious algae will be probed using selective chemical agents. Genes involved in the regulation of off-flavor metabolite biosynthesis will be determined following four established methodologies that have been successfully applied in determining regulatory genes for aflatoxin biosynthesis. Unique species-specific primer sites will be determined among distinct algal taxa using polimerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies with the goal to develop nucleotide markers specific for off-flavor producing algae. Autonomous instruments employing bio-optical methods and nucleotide markers will be configured to selectively measure off-flavor producing algae in catfish aquaculture ponds.

Project Team

Hurlburt, Barry Eaton, Richard Grimm, Casey Champagne, Elaine

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003   FY 2002   FY 2001

Related National Programs

Aquaculture (106)   Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)

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