- 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)
Dr Daniel Merrifield 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.
Biography
Biography
Qualifications
- PhD - Evaluation of selected probiotics and bovine lactoferrin as feed supplements for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum) for applications in aquaculture. University of Plymouth
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), University of Plymouth
- PgCert (distinction) -Research Methods, University of Plymouth
- General Teachers Associates training course, University of Plymouth
- BSc (Hons) - Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth
Professional membership
- Fish Nutrition and Health Research Team Leader
- Environmental and Applied Biology Research Group
- Marine Institute
- World Aquaculture Society
- Society for Applied Microbiology
- World Aquaculture Society Publication Committee
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Roles on external bodies
Associate Editor for the Journal of the World Aquaculture Society
Associate Editor for Aquaculture International
Member of the Editorial board for
- Aquaculture Research (2010-2022)
- PLoS ONE (2012-present)
- International Aquafeed (2010-present)
- Frontiers in Microbiology (2017-present)
Editor, Functional Aquafeeds special issue, Journal of the World Aquaculture Society (2018)
Chairperson for
- The Animal and Veterinary Sciences & Agro-food biotechnology evaluation Panel of the 5th (2022) Edition of the Stimulus of Scientific Employment, Individual Support Call (CEECInd 5th Edition), The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
- The Animal and Veterinary Sciences & Agro-food biotechnology evaluation Panel of the 4th (2021) Edition of the Stimulus of Scientific Employment, Individual Support Call (CEECInd 4th Edition), The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)
Panel member for
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA; USA) National Sea Grant 2022 Early State Propagation Strategies for Aquaculture Species Competition
- The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) SR&TD Project Grants call, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Panel, 2020
- FCT Stimulus of Scientific Employment, Individual Support call (CEECInd), Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences Panel of the (2017, 2018, 2019 & 2020 calls)
- Research Council of Norway (RCN) Researcher Project and Young Research Talents panel, 2019
- The National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes (ANVUR), Italy; eValuation of Quality of Research (VQR) (2004-2010 & 2011-2014 rounds)
Academic Adviser to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC).
Key publications
Teaching
Teaching
Teaching interests
Programme Leader:
MSc Sustainable Aquaculture and Fisheries
Module leader:
BIO505: Research Project
BIO504: Health and Production in Aquaculture
BIO5208: Contemporary Issues in Aquaculture
Staff serving as external examiners
| External examiner for MPhil/PhD students:
|
Research
Research
Research interests
My research activities have received funding to investigate aspects of fish health, nutrition, microbiome and aquafeed sustainability. Themes of interest include better understanding of host-microbe interactions, dysbiosis, mucosal health, enteritis and intestinal inflammation, functional feed additives and novel raw materials for use in aquafeeds. This research programme spans many commercially relevant species including rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, carp and Nile tilapia, and the model species, zebrafish.
Research groups
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
| Supervision of PhD students -12 completions as Director of Studies -8 completions as second supervisor |
Grants & contracts
My research programme has been supported by the BBSRC, NERC, The Newton Fund, Innovate UK, charitable trusts and companies from the aquafeed sector. To date, the total funding generated is >£2 million.
Publications
Publications
Key publications
Key publications are highlighted
Journals
Articles
(2021) 'A novel dietary multi-strain yeast fraction modulates intestinal toll-like-receptor signalling and mucosal responses of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)' PLoS One , DOI Open access
(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 Open access
(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 Open access
(2019) 'Autochthonous probiotic bacteria modulate intestinal microbiota of Pirarucu,
<i>Arapaima gigas</i>' 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 Open access
(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) '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 6, (0) 0-0 , 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) '<i>In vitro</i>selection of a synbiotic and<i>in vivo</i>evaluation on intestinal microbiota, performance and physiological response of rainbow trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>) 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 dietary<i>Nutrafito Plus</i>on growth, haemotological parameters and total ammonia-nitrogen excretion of juvenile striped catfish<i>Pangasianodon hypophthalmus</i>' Aquaculture Research 47, (6) 1770-1777 , DOI
(2014) 'Effects of short-chain fructooligosaccharides on growth performance and hepatic intermediary metabolism in turbot (<i>Scophthalmus maximus</i>) reared at winter and summer temperatures' Aquaculture Nutrition 21, (4) 433-443 , DOI
(2014) 'First report on the autochthonous gut microbiota of brown trout (<i>Salmo trutta</i>Linnaeus)' 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 Immunology 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) 'Microbial manipulations to improve fish health and production--a Mediterranean perspective' Fish Shellfish Immunol 30, (1) 1-16 , 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) '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® 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
Chapters
(2017) 'Probiotic Applications for Finfish Aquaculture' Probiotics and Prebiotics in Animal Health and Food Safety Springer International Publishing 197-217 , DOI
(2015) '10 The fish microbiome and its interactions with mucosal tissues' Mucosal Health in Aquaculture 273-295 , DOI
(2015) 'The fish microbiome and its interactions with mucosal tissues' Mucosal Health in Aquaculture, 1st Edition Academic Press
(2014) 'Indigenous Lactic Acid Bacteria in Fish and Crustaceans' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 128-168 , DOI
(2014) 'Methodological Approaches Used to Assess Fish Gastrointestinal Communities' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 101-127 , DOI
(2014) 'Probiotic Applications in Cold Water Fish Species' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 223-252 , DOI
(2014) 'Probiotic Applications in Temperate and Warm Water Fish Species' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 253-289 , DOI
(2014) 'Probiotic Modulation of the Gut Microbiota of Fish' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 185-222 , DOI
(2014) 'Probiotics and Prebiotics: Concepts, Definitions and History' Aquaculture Nutrition John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 169-184 , DOI
(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
Conference Papers
(2018) 'Influence of Probiotics Administration on Gut Microbiota Core' Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins 1-1 , DOI
Personal
Personal
Additional information
LinkedIn profile
Scopus Young Researchers in Biological Sciences: ranked top 5 nationally 2011
Early Career Enterprising Researcher Award, Vice-Chancellor's Enterprise Awards 2010Links
Fish Health and Nutrition Research Team
Environmental and Applied Biology Research Group
Journal of the World Aquaculture Society