ESSENTIAL OILS SLASH SEA LICE IN SALMON BY NEARLY 70%

Essential oils slash sea lice in salmon by nearly 70%.  New study shows dsm-firmenich’s Digestarom® PEP MGE reduces sea lice by 68% in aquaculture

dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health has unveiled new research that found essential oil solutions, such as Digestarom® PEP MGE, can reduce sea lice attachment in high-value aquaculture species such as Atlantic salmon

The research, which was presented at Global Aqua Days 2025, Athens, Greece, marks a significant step in reinforcing how essential oil-based solutions not only promote animal well-being but also offer environmental advantages for aquaculture producers.

Sea lice are among the most concerning parasites in salmonculture, resulting in health, welfare and financial issues. Further, their treatments often make the problem worse, causing extensive skin and mucus damage, all contributing to increased mortality.

Digestarom® PEP MGE is a matrix-encapsulated blend of essential oils. These active components are known to have many biological functions, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, as well as improving feed efficiency and growth.

The recent study confirmed the impact of the product on sea lice infestation/attachment in Atlantic salmon. Digestarom® PEP MGE achieved a 68% reduction in total lice compared to the control, demonstrating a clear and significant decrease in parasite load while maintaining strong zootechnical performance.

About dsm-firmenich Animal Nutrition & Health

In 2024, dsm-firmenich shared its plan to find a new owner for the Animal Nutrition & Health (ANH) business, including vitamins. ANH, a dsm-firmenich company, is a global leader in animal nutrition and health, as well as vitamins, carotenoids, and aroma ingredients. ANH is the world’s essential solution provider and innovation partner, offering more than 100 nutritional products, precision services, and operating 59 sites worldwide. At ANH, more than 7,800 people in over 60 countries work together to improve farm productivity and enhance animal and human health, while reducing the environmental footprint of the animal farming industry. Headquartered in Kaiseraugst, Switzerland, ANH is an innovation leader with a legacy of ground-breaking innovations, from the world’s first production of vitamins, aromas, and mycotoxin deactivators to gut health eubiotics and AI-driven farm management software.
www.dsm-firmenich.com/ANH