- A406, Portland Square, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA
- +44 1752 584888
- daniel.merrifield@plymouth.ac.uk
Profiles
Dr Daniel Merrifield
Associate Professor of Fish Health and Nutrition
School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering)
Daniel can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
- Nutrition
- Sustainable aquaculture
- Aquaculture
- Fish health
- Food production
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Protein sources
Email publicrelations@plymouth.ac.uk to enquire.
Research and teaching
Qualifications
PhD - Evaluation of selected probiotics and bovine lactoferrin asfeed supplements for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) forapplications in aquaculture. Plymouth University
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), Plymouth University
PgCert (distinction) -Research Methods, Plymouth University
General Teachers Associates training course, Plymouth University
BSc (Hons; 2:1) - Biological Sciences, Plymouth University
Professional membership
Society for Applied Microbiology
World Aquaculture Society Publication Committee
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Environment, Food and Biotechnology Research Group
Roles on external bodies
Editorial and referee commitments
- Associate Editor for the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (2015-present)
- Member of the Editorial board for
- PLoS ONE (2012-present)
- Aquaculture Research (2010-present)
- Aquaculture International (2011-present)
- International Aquafeed (2010-present)
- Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development (2010-2014)
- Chief Editor of the Fisheries andAquaculture Journal (2011-2013)
- Chief Editor for special issue onprobiotics and prebiotics in aquaculture, Journal ofAquaculture Research and Development (2011)
- Panel member for the Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences Panel of the Stimulus of Scientific Employment, Individual Support. The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT). 2017 and 2018.
- The National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR),Italy; eValuation of Quality of Research (VQR) 2004-2010 and 2011-2014
- Research Council of Norway (RCN) - Researcher Project and Young Research Talents 2019
- Referee for the following scientific research bodies:
- The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), UK
- The Royal Society
- Policy documents for the UK Government Office for Science (GO Science)
- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- The French National ResearchAgency (Agence Nationale de laRecherche; ANR)
- The Portuguese Foundation for Scienceand Technology (FCT)
- The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO)
- The Israel Science Foundation (ISF)
- Superior Council of the National Fund for Scientific & Technological Development (FONDECYT), Chile
- National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa
- The National Science Centre (NCN), Poland
- Wageningen Institute of Animal Science (WIAS),Netherlands
- IdEx Bordeaux Post-doctoral program,University of Bordeaux
- Western Regional Aquaculture Center (WRAC),USA
- Czech Science Foundation (GACR)
Key publications
2014 Aquaculture Nutrition Gut Health, Probiotics and Prebiotics. Wiley-Blackwell
Teaching interests
Topics:
Gut health and microecology
Aquatic microbiology
Aquaculture
Probiotics and prebiotics
Programme Leader:
MSc(PgDip) Sustainable Aquaculture
Module leader:
BIOL120 Cell Biology and Microbiology
BIO5208 Contemporary Issues in Aquaculture
BIO504 Health and Production in Aquaculture
Teaching on modules:
BIO504: Health and Production in Aquaculture
BIO504: Health and Production in Aquaculture
BIO505: Research Project
BIO5125: Sustainable Use of Resources in Biological Systems
BIOL119: Introduction to Biology
BIOL120: Cell Biology and Microbiology
BIOL121: Animal Physiology and Microbiology
BIOL123: Field Biology
BIOL126: Animal Behaviour Field Biology
MBIO322: Marine Microbiology - Ecology and Applications
BIOL5129: Health and Production in Aquaculture
BIO5131: Postgraduate Research Skills & Methods
Courses:
MSc(PgDip) Sustainable Aquaculture Systems
BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences
BSc(Hons) Animal Behaviour and Welfare
Research interests
Feed additives
Gut health
Alternative protein sources
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Dr Gabriella Do Vale Pereir- Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Dr Mark Rawling - Post-Doctoral Research Associate
RungtawanYomla - PhD student; Development of autochthonous probiotics for applicationsfor tilapia
Kurt Servin - PhD student; The use of yeast-derived feed additives to support in shrimp health and production (part-time, overseas)
Nicola Pontefract – PhD student; Feed additive strategies to improve mucosal defenses in fish
Lucy Sykes - MPhil student; The application of GOS in aquafeeds
Grants & contracts
Funding generated: >£1,300,000 (RCUK = £450,000, other FEC contractualprojects = >£380,000, studentships = >£475,000, other = > £13,500)
Recent examples (PI = PrincipleInvestigator; Co-I = Co-investigator; DoS = Director of Studies):
| £1,560 | Contractual work, Coppens, 2017 (PI) |
| £7,800 | Commercial contract - Lallemand, Norway (PI), 2018 |
| £17,600 | Commercial contract - Skretting, Norway (PI), 2018 |
| £3,040 | Commercial contract - Lallemand, Norway (PI), 2018 |
| Total £433,000 (PU £130,000) | Innovate UK project (application ref 84746-536289) Low Cost, High Quality, Algal Biomass for Aquaculture Feed, 2017-2019 (Academic PI) |
| £60,852 | MPhil studentship, Clasado Biosciences, 2017-2019 (Lucy Sykes) (DoS) |
| £1,500 | Contractual work, Coppens, 2017 (PI) |
| £10,531 | Commercial contract - Skretting, Norway (PI), 2017 |
| £15,705 | Commercial contract - Skretting, Norway (PI), 2017 |
| £3,173 | Contractual work, Coppens, 2017 (PI) |
| £2,837 | Contractual work, Coppens, 2017 (PI) |
| £1,700 | Contractual work, INTA, 2017 (PI) |
| £262,000 | BBSRC project (BB/N024028/1) Mucosal health and microbiota during sea lice parasitism: effect of oral delivery of immunomodulants, 2016-2018 (PI) |
| £8,997 | Commercial contract - Skretting, Norway (PI), 2016-2017 |
| £2,700 | Contractual work, INTA, 2016 (PI) |
| £12,000 | Contractual work, Lallemand SAS, 2016 (PI) |
| £1,500 | Contractual work, INTA, 2016 (PI) |
| £34,800 | 50% PhD studentship, Lallemand SAS, 2016-2019 (DoS) |
| £3,300 | Contractual work, Lallemand SAS, 2016 (PI) |
| £1,300 | Contractual work, BioMar, 2016 (PI) |
| PU: £50,000 (Total £250,000) | BBSRC-NERC project (BB/M026604/1): Gut health and immune function: the emerging role of gut microbiota in sustainable aquaculture, 2015-2017 (Co-I) |
Key publications
2014 Aquaculture Nutrition Gut Health, Probiotics and Prebiotics. Wiley-Blackwell
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
2020 'Dietary supplementation with a specific mannan-rich yeast parietal fraction enhances the gut and skin mucosal barriers of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and reduces its susceptibility to sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)' Aquaculture 529, 735701-735701 , DOI
2020 'White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) disturbs the intestinal microbiota of shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) reared in biofloc and clear seawater' Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 104, (18) 8007-8023 , DOI
2020 'Exploring intestinal microbiome composition in three Indian major carps under polyculture system: A high-throughput sequencing based approach' Aquaculture 524, 735206-735206 , DOI
2020 'Corrigendum to “Dietary synbiotic application modulates Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) intestinal microbial communities and intestinal immunity” [Fish Shellfish Immunol. 35 (2013) 1948–1956]' Fish & Shellfish Immunology 101, 313-313 , DOI
2019 'Influence of Dietary Supplementation of Probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M During the Transition From Freshwater to Seawater on Intestinal Health and Microbiota of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.)' Frontiers in Microbiologyy 10, , DOI Open access
2019 'Dietary probiotic
Pediococcus acidilactici
MA18/5M modulates the intestinal microbiota and stimulates intestinal immunity in rainbow trout (
Oncorhynchus mykiss
)' Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 50, (6) 1133-1151 , DOI
2019 'Autochthonous probiotic bacteria modulate intestinal microbiota of Pirarucu,
Arapaima gigas' Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 50, (6) 1152-1167 , DOI
2019 'Selection of carbohydrate-active probiotics from the gut of carnivorous fish fed plant-based diets' Scientific Reports 9, (1) , DOI
2019 'The effect of feeding a novel multistrain yeast fraction on European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax) intestinal health and growth performance' Journal of the World Aquaculture Society , DOI Open access
2018 'Influence of Probiotics Administration on Gut Microbiota Core' Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 52, 1-1 , DOI
2018 'Correction to: Effects of Lactogen 13, a New Probiotic Preparation, on Gut Microbiota and Endocrine Signals Controlling Growth and Appetite of Oreochromis niloticus Juveniles' Microbial Ecology 76, (4) 1075-1075 , DOI
2018 'Effects of Lactogen 13, a New Probiotic Preparation, on Gut Microbiota and Endocrine Signals Controlling Growth and Appetite of Oreochromis niloticus Juveniles' Microbial Ecology 76, (4) 1063-1074 , DOI
2017 'Characterization of microbiota in Arapaima gigas intestine and isolation of potential probiotic bacteria' Journal of Applied Microbiology , DOI
2017 'Dietary lipid content reorganizes gut microbiota and probiotic L. rhamnosus attenuates obesity and enhances catabolic hormonal milieu in zebrafish' Scientific Reports 7, (1) , DOI Open access
2016 'Alternative protein sources in the diet modulate microbiota and functionality in the distal intestine of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )' Applied and Environmental Microbiology AEM.02615-16-AEM.02615-16 , DOI Open access
2016 'Effect of fishmeal and fish oil replacement by vegetable meals and oils on gut health of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)' Aquaculture 468, 386-398 , DOI
2016 'A high-resolution map of the gut microbiota in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): A basis for comparative gut microbial research' Scientific Reports , DOI Open access
2016 'Combined effects of exogenous enzymes and probiotic on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth, intestinal morphology and microbiome' Aquaculture Open access
2016 'Supplementation of formulated diets for tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with selected exogenous enzymes: Overall performance and effects on intestinal histology and microbiota' Animal Feed Science and Technology 215, 133-143 Publisher Site , DOI Open access
2016 'Dietary administration of a commercial mixed-species probiotic improves growth performance and modulates the intestinal immunity of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus' Fish & Shellfish Immunology 49, 427-435 , DOI Open access
2016 'Hydrolysed wheat gluten as part of a diet based on animal and plant proteins supports good growth performance of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), without impairing intestinal morphology or microbiota' Aquaculture 453, 40-48 , DOI
2016 'Probiotic treatment reduces appetite and glucose level in the zebrafish model' Scientific Reports 6, (1) , DOI Open access
2015 'In vitroselection of a synbiotic andin vivoevaluation on intestinal microbiota, performance and physiological response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings' Aquaculture Nutrition 23, (1) 111-118 , DOI
2015 'Effect of dietary components on the gut microbiota ofaquatic animals. A never-ending story?' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 22, (2) 219-282 , DOI Open access
2015 'Modulation of the intestinal microbiota and morphology of tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, following the application of a multi-species probiotic' Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 99, (20) 8403-8417 , DOI Open access
2015 'Lactobacillus rhamnosus lowers zebrafish lipid content by changing gut microbiota and host transcription of genes involved in lipid metabolism' Sci Rep 5, , DOI Open access
2015 'Effects of rearing temperature and dietary short-chain fructooligosaccharides supplementation on allochthonous gut microbiota, digestive enzymes activities and intestine health of turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus L.) juveniles' Aquaculture Nutrition 22, (3) 631-642 , DOI
2015 'The autochthonous microbiota of the freshwater omnivores jundia (Rhamdia quelen) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and the effect of dietary carbohydrates' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 46, (2) 472-481 , DOI
2014 'Effects of dietaryNutrafito Pluson growth, haemotological parameters and total ammonia-nitrogen excretion of juvenile striped catfishPangasianodon hypophthalmus' Aquaculture Research 47, (6) 1770-1777 , DOI
2014 'Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on growth performance and hepatic intermediary metabolism in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) reared at winter and summer temperatures' Aquaculture Nutrition 21, (4) 433-443 , DOI
2014 'First report on the autochthonous gut microbiota of brown trout (Salmo truttaLinnaeus)' Aquaculture Research 46, (12) 2962-2971 , DOI
2014 'Effects of dietary β-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology and haemato-immunological profile of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)' J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 98, (2) 279-289 , DOI Open access
2014 'The Influence of Probiotics on Zebrafish Danio Rerio Innate Immunity and Hepatic Stress' ZEBRAFISH 11, (2) 98-106 , DOI
2014 'Dietary modulation of immune response and related gene expression profiles in mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) using selected exotic feed ingredients' AQUACULTURE 418, 177-184 , DOI
2013 'Probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic applications for the improvement of larval European lobster (Homarus gammarus) culture' AQUACULTURE 416, 396-406 , DOI
2013 'Dietary synbiotic application modulates Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) intestinal microbial communities and intestinal immunity' Fish Shellfish Immunol 35, (6) 1948-1956 , DOI
2013 'Effects of a dietary β-(1,3)(1,6)-D-glucan supplementation on intestinal microbial communities and intestinal ultrastructure of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)' J Appl Microbiol 115, (5) 1091-1106 , DOI
2013 'Probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici modulates both localised intestinal- and peripheral-immunity in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)' Fish Shellfish Immunol 35, (4) 1097-1104 , DOI Open access
2013 'Effect of autoclaved Ulva meal on growth performance, nutrient utilization and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss' AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL 21, (3) 605-615 , DOI
2013 'Evaluation of feed utilization and growth performance of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus fed diets with varying inclusion levels of corn gluten meal' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 19, (3) 258-266 , DOI
2013 'Genetic diversity of lactic acid bacteria in the intestine of Persian sturgeon fingerlings' JOURNAL OF APPLIED ICHTHYOLOGY 29, (3) 494-498 , DOI
2013 'The effect of different feeding regimes on enzyme activities of gut microbiota in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 44, (5) 841-846 , DOI
2013 'Ingestion of metal-nanoparticle contaminated food disrupts endogenous microbiota in zebrafish (Danio rerio)' Environ Pollut 174, 157-163 , DOI
2013 'Replacement of fishmeal with rice protein concentrate in practical diets for European sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax reared at winter temperatures' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 44, (3) 462-471 , DOI
2012 'Effects of fish oil and partial fish meal substitution with oilseed oils and meals on growth performance, nutrient utilization and health of the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss' AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL 20, (3) 481-497 , DOI
2012 'Haemato-immunological and growth response of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio) fed a tropical earthworm meal in experimental diets' Fish Shellfish Immunol 32, (6) 1002-1007 , DOI
2012 'Probiotics Can Induce Follicle Maturational Competence: The Danio rerio Case' BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 86, (3) , DOI
2012 'Biofuel derived yeast protein concentrate (YPC) as a novel feed ingredient in carp diets' AQUACULTURE 330, 54-62 , DOI
2012 'Dietary supplementation of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) improves the innate immune response, stress resistance, digestive enzyme activities and growth performance of Caspian roach (Rutilus rutilus) fry' FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 32, (2) 316-321 , DOI
2012 'Effect of Dietary Protein Level on Growth Performance and Nitrogen Excretion of the Yellow Tail Cichlid, Pseudotropheus acei' ISRAELI JOURNAL OF AQUACULTURE-BAMIDGEH 64,
2011 'The effects of oligofructose on growth performance, survival and autochthonous intestinal microbiota of beluga (Huso huso) juveniles' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 17, (5) 498-504 , DOI
2011 'Expression of immune-related genes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) induced by probiotic bacteria during Lactococcus garvieae infection' FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 31, (2) 196-201 , DOI
2011 'The effects of dietary inactive brewer's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus on the growth, physiological responses and gut microbiota of juvenile beluga (Huso huso)' AQUACULTURE 318, (1-2) 90-94 , DOI
2011 'Identification and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), with inhibitory activity against Lactococcus garvieae' J Fish Dis 34, (7) 499-507 , DOI
2011 'Effect of dietary Ulva and Spirulina on weight loss and body composition of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), during a starvation period' J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 95, (3) 320-327 , DOI
2011 'Effect of dietary alginic acid on juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intestinal microbial balance, intestinal histology and growth performance' Cell Tissue Res 344, (1) 135-146 , DOI
2011 'The study of some haematological and serum biochemical parameters of juvenile beluga (Huso huso) fed oligofructose' FISH PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 37, (1) 91-96 , DOI
2011 'Assessment of the effects of vegetative and lyophilized Pediococcus acidilactici on growth, feed utilization, intestinal colonization and health parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 17, (1) 73-79 , DOI
2011 'An ex vivo approach to studying the interactions of Pediococcus acidilactici
and Vibrio (Listonella) anguillarum in the anterior intestine of rainbow trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss' Aquaculture research and development , DOI
2011 'Effects of Probiotic on Zebrafish Reproduction' Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development s1, , DOI
2011 'Evaluation of Prebiotic and Probiotic Effects on the Intestinal Gut Microbiota and Histology of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)' Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development s1, , DOI
2011 'Microbial manipulations to improve fish health and production--a Mediterranean perspective' Fish Shellfish Immunol 30, (1) 1-16 , DOI
2011 'Probiotic and Prebiotic Applications in Aquaculture' Journal of Aquaculture Research & Development s1, , DOI
2010 'Probiotic applications for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) I. Effects on growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal microbiota and related health criteria' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 16, (5) 504-510 , DOI
2010 'Probiotic applications for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) II. Effects on growth performance, feed utilization, intestinal microbiota and related health criteria postantibiotic treatment' AQUACULTURE NUTRITION 16, (5) 496-503 , DOI
2010 'The effect of Pediococcus acidilactici on the gut microbiota and immune status of on-growing red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)' J Appl Microbiol 109, (3) 851-862 , DOI
2010 'The effects of inulin on growth factors and survival of the Indian white shrimp larvae and postlarvae (Fenneropenaeus indicus)' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 41, (9) e348-e352 , DOI
2010 'Possible influence of probiotic adhesion to intestinal mucosa on the activity and morphology of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) enterocytes' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 41, (8) 1268-1272 , DOI
2010 'Effect of dietary Bacillus spp. and mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on European lobster (Homarus gammarus L.) larvae growth performance, gut morphology and gut microbiota' AQUACULTURE 304, (1-4) 49-57 , DOI
2010 'The current status and future focus of probiotic and prebiotic applications for salmonids' AQUACULTURE 302, (1-2) 1-18 , DOI
2010 'Effects of mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) supplementation on growth performance, feed utilisation, intestinal histology and gut microbiota of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)' AQUACULTURE 300, (1-4) 182-188 , DOI
2010 'Assessment of Chlorogloeopsis as a novel microbial dietary supplement for red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)' AQUACULTURE 299, (1-4) 128-133 , DOI
2009 'Dietary mannan oligosaccharide supplementation modulates intestinal microbial ecology and improves gut morphology of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)' J Anim Sci 87, (10) 3226-3234 , DOI
2009 'Preliminary assessment of dietary supplementation of Sangrovit (R) on red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance and health' AQUACULTURE 294, (1-2) 118-122 , DOI
2009 'Soybean meal alters autochthonous microbial populations, microvilli morphology and compromises intestinal enterocyte integrity of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)' J Fish Dis 32, (9) 755-766 , DOI
2009 'Influence of Ulva meal on growth, feed utilization, and body composition of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) at two levels of dietary lipid' AQUACULTURE INTERNATIONAL 17, (4) 355-361 , DOI
2009 'Microbial community diversity associated with the intestinal mucosa of farmed rainbow trout (Oncoryhnchus mykiss Walbaum)' AQUACULTURE RESEARCH 40, (9) 1064-1072 , DOI
Books
2014 Aquaculture Nutrition Gut Health, Probiotics and Prebiotics. Wiley-Blackwell
Chapters
2017 'Probiotic Applications for Finfish Aquaculture' Probiotics and Prebiotics in Animal Health and Food Safety Springer International Publishing 197-217 , DOI
2015 'The fish microbiome and its interactions with mucosal tissues' Mucosal Health in Aquaculture, 1st Edition Academic Press
2011 'Dietary Effect of Soybean (Glycine max) Products on Gut Histology and Microbiota of Fish' Soybean and Nutrition Rijeka, Croatia InTech 231-250 Publisher Site
Additional information
Scopus Young Researchers in Biological Sciences: ranked top 5 nationally 2011
Early Career Enterprising Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor's Enterprise Awards 2010Links
Journal of Aquaculture Research and Development
Fisheries and Aquaculture Journal
Public Library of Science ONE (PLoS ONE)
Aquaculture Research
Aquaculture International
Journal of Aquaculture Feed Science and Nutrition
International Aquafeed