Daranee Seguin
Product Director – AH & N
Aker QRILL Company
Thailand
Daranee is Product Director – AH & N at Aker QRILL Company in Thailand. Previously, she was the Aqua business unit director for the Southeast Asia region, based in Thailand, responsible for providing technical support and insights to Phibro’s key account customers and commercial teams throughout the region. For the past 15 years, Daranee has been heavily involved in developing nutritionally complete, functionally health benefit, environmentally sound, and cost-effective diets for the commercialization of a wide range of warm water species (e.g., shrimp, pangasius, tilapia, and marine finfish).
Daranee holds an MSc in Appropriate Technology in Resources and Environment Development from Mahidol University, Thailand, and a PhD in Aquaculture Nutrition from Auburn University, USA.
Cost Efficiency with Digestible Nutrient-based Formulations
Abstract
Risk and health management in modern shrimp farming increasingly requires proactive strategies that enhance animal resilience rather than reactive responses to disease outbreaks. Under intensive production systems, continuous stress from environmental fluctuations and pathogen exposure compromises digestive capacity, immunity, and survival, leading to variable performance and economic risk. Functional feeds play a critical role in mitigating these risks by supporting key physiological functions that stabilize production outcomes.
The hepatopancreas is central to this approach. As the primary digestive and metabolic organ, it integrates nutrient digestion, absorption, energy storage, detoxification, and immune metabolic regulation. Pathogens such as Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) directly impair hepatopancreatic structure and function, resulting in reduced feed efficiency and chronic growth suppression. Maintaining hepatopancreas integrity is therefore fundamental to effective disease risk management.
Krill‑derived functional ingredients provide a practical nutritional solution through a combination of well‑defined functional features. Phospholipid‑bound omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) support membrane integrity and lipid transport, reducing metabolic stress. Astaxanthin and choline strengthen antioxidant defense and cellular stability, while nucleotides, free amino acids, and peptides stimulate feed intake and cellular renewal under challenge. Bioavailable cholesterol further supports membrane function and molting, particularly in low‑fishmeal diets. Together, these features act through complementary modes of action to preserve hepatopancreas functionality during stress and infection.
Evidence from EHP challenge studies demonstrated that functional feeds containing krill‑derived nutrients consistently support hepatopancreas functionality, improve growth, feed efficiency, and survival. These benefits are associated with preserved hepatopancreatic R‑cell activity, indicating sustained nutrient absorption and metabolic capacity. In practical application, such functional feeds serve as a preventive risk‑management tool, particularly during high‑risk phases such as environmental changes, diet transitions, or known disease pressure. Importantly, these responses translate into more consistent production outcomes and improved economic returns, supporting user confidence and adoption.
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