Fish Brew Metagenomic Testing Results 2022
Every bottle of Fish Brew contains a snapshot of the microorganisms that thrive in our fish waste at that time. Factors such as exposure to oxygen, storage temperature, and pump pressure can affect the species proportions in the Fish Brew bottle. To try to account for these differences, the following testing was performed at different times of the year and seasonal bias is acknowledged. Our research is ongoing to explore as much as we can about our dynamic products.
For this comprehensive analysis, results of fish wastewater testing were included in addition to Fish Brew product testing. To make Fish Brew products, we prepare fish wastewater from Blue Stream Aquaculture Cape Cod (BSA CC), Blue Stream Aquaculture New Hampshire (BSA NH), and Great Falls Aquaculture (GFA). Based on the direct involvement of fish wastewater in the current Fish Brew products, fish wastewater results are considered relevant.
Specifically, Fish Brew Bold FLO and Epic FLO are prepared with fish wastewater from BSA CC, and for the purpose of testing, additional testing of Fish Brew Epic FLO has not been added. Fish Brew Rise & Thrive is prepared with fish wastewater from BSA CC and BSA NH, making metagenomic reports regarding Fish Brew Bold FLO, BSA CC and BSA NH all relevant to understanding Fish Brew Rise & Thrive. Fish Brew Trifecta is prepared with fish wastewater from BSA CC, BSA NH, and GFA, making metagenomic reports regarding Fish Brew Bold FLO, Fish Brew Rise & Thrive, BSA CC, BSA NH, and GFA all relevant to understanding Fish Brew Trifecta.
Summary of Our Results
Samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA amplicon analysis and deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing for bacterial species identification. Those results showed 10’s to 100’s of unique bacterial species identified in all Fish Brew samples tested. Upon further research, it was determined that many of those bacterial species were fecal-processing decomposers, as well as some specialized sulfur, phosphorus, and nitrogen-converting species. Most similar in species profiles were the samples of BSA CC/Fish Brew Bold FLO and BSA NH/Fish Brew Rise & Thrive Soil Conditioner. Samples tested from GFA and Fish Brew Trifecta included higher proportions of warm water and salt-tolerant non-pathogenic bacteria.
Fungal analyses were performed using deep shotgun metagenomic sequencing and ITS2 DNA barcoding. From these results, many species of subsurface dwelling fungi were identified including decomposers that did not directly interact with plants and ectomycorrhizal species.
Additional species of microorganisms in the domain eukarya and the kingdoms of metazoa, plantae, and protista were determined using the testing methods mentioned above as well as COI barcoding. The results of these analyses identified species of rotifers, algae, diatoms, and microscopic animals across the many tests used. Samples tested of GFA/Fish Brew Trifecta showed greater values of aquatic protists compared to the results from the other samples. All samples also contained species of diatoms, however BSA CC/Fish Brew Bold FLO showed the greatest number of hits in the greatest number of different species of the samples tested.
Amplicon 16S rRNA Analysis (February 2021)
Deep Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing (Whole Genome Sequencing)
As the testing dates and methods of these microbial tests differed, the proportions of species in each category of organisms have also changed. The overview of each testing method per Fish Brew product is reported. To look closer at any set of individual testing results, contact Fish Brew directly. Please let us know if you have any additional questions about the product and we would be happy to help.