by Chia-Chen Pi, Senior Manager, King’s Ground Biotech, Taiwan, and Yun-Jie Tang, Associate Researcher, King’s Ground Biotech, Taiwan
Mung bean is a widely cultivated legume in Asia, valued for both its nutritional content and its traditional medicinal uses, including recognised anti-inflammatory and heat-relieving properties in Taiwanese and Chinese herbal medicine. Following its processing for human food consumption, the hulls are generated as a major agricultural by-product. Phytochemical analyses confirm that mung beans are rich in flavonoids, polyphenols and polysaccharides – compounds known to possess significant antioxidant, antidiabetic and immunomodulation activities. These functional components position the mung bean as a valuable source for developing both human health-promoting ingredients and functional animal feed additives.
In shrimp farming, environmental stress and pathogens threaten animal health. To address these challenges, KGBio conducted and presented research on FMBH for aquatic animal use, developed in collaboration with National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, specifically validating the product of FMBH for enhanced disease resistance and immunomodulation in white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).
Protection against Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Initial investigation demonstrated that FMBH supplementation protects white shrimp against Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection in a concentration-dependent manner.
- Experimental design: Shrimp were dietarily supplied with various concentrations of FMBH for two weeks, then virulence challenged via intramuscular injection with a dose equivalent to the LD50 (Lethal Dose, 50 percent) concentration of V. parahaemolyticus.
- Results: Shrimp receiving FMBH exhibited significantly lower mortality rates, with the survival rate positively correlated with the FMBH dosage.
A subsequent 60-day study further elucidated the effects of continuous high-dose FMBH supplementation on disease resistance. Following the same LD50 virulence challenge, the results confirmed the repeatability and applicability of FMBH: the treated shrimp achieved a similar final survival rate and, notably, demonstrated a faster stabilization of the surviving population, substantiating its prophylactic role in enhancing disease resistance.
Analysis of the hemolymph immune response showed that FMBH significantly up-regulated critical innate immune parameters in the shrimp. These enhancements included:
- Increased phagocytic activity: Higher efficiency in hemocyte engulfment and destruction of foreign particles or pathogens (cellular defence).
- Elevated respiratory burst activity: Increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by hemocytes for robust pathogen destruction (cellular defence mechanism).
- Heightened phenoloxidase (PO) activity: Activation of the proPO system, which leads to melanisation, encapsulation and the generation of cytotoxic quinones for direct killing effects on microbes (humoral defence).
- Augmented lysozyme activity: Enhanced humoral defence via the enzymatic lysis of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial cell walls.
Although the precise mechanism by which the FMBH regulates specific immune parameters remains to be fully elucidated, the results confirm that FMBH functions as a comprehensive immunomodulator. It effectively primes both the cellular and humoral branches of the shrimp’s innate immune system. This multi-pronged defence activation provides enhanced pathogen protection and an accelerated immune response, thereby contributing to robust animal health and improved disease resistance in aquaculture systems.
Industrial application and scalability
The patented SSF process effectively enhances bioactive molecules such as vitexin and isovitexin, generating functional ingredients with recognised hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and immune-modulation properties. This technology is protected under patents in Taiwan (I703979), Japan (P7271818) and the United States (US 12318421 B2), affirming its scientific innovation and industrial feasibility.
The resulting FMBH, commercialised as VIVA is positioned as a natural feed additive for aquatic animals (shrimp and fish). Its serves as a powerful tool for disease prevention, supporting sustainable aquaculture by improving immune performance and reducing the need for antibiotics in intensive production systems.
Circular expansion and technical scalability
At the Taiwan Smart AgriWeek 2025, KGBio demonstrated the scalability of its SSF platform by extending the technology beyond mung bean hulls to other agri-food residues, including used coffee grounds. Through optimised microbial design, the resulting fermented coffee grounds exhibit notable antibacterial and antibiotic-synergistic properties, directly addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) – a critical global health challenge.
This work demonstrates the flexibility of the microbial fermentation system, which allows for precise qualitative and quantitative control over fermentation outcomes. By fine-tuning microbial interactions to match diverse substrates, the process can generate consistent and reproducible bioactive profiles, proving that circular biotechnology can be effectively scaled across various raw materials.
Sustainability vision
The recent study by King’s Ground Biotech (KGBio) demonstrates the potential of solid-state fermentation to convert agricultural by-products into functional feed additives for aquaculture. By enhancing shrimp immunity and reducing reliance on antibiotics, the research illustrates a practical application of preventive veterinary strategies. Valorising agricultural waste through fermentation not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also supports animal welfare and disease management. Continued research and collaboration with academic institutions highlight how circular biotechnology approaches, such as those developed by KGBio, can provide scalable, science-based solutions for sustainable feed innovation.
