ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF FOOD SAFETY IN AQUAPONICS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: TERMINATED
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0229968
• Project No.: HAW05021-H
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2012
• Project End Date: Dec 3, 2015

Project Director
Ako, HA.

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822

Performing Department
Molecular Biosciences & Bioengineering

Non Technical Summary
Recently, an increasing number of commercial produce buyers are requiring their supplying farms to undergo annual, third party audits to reduce the chance of food-borne outbreaks from the food they sell. Many dozens of audit questions cover worker hygiene, pesticide use, post-harvest handling, and the use of various soil amendments, such as manures. The audit questions are known beforehand and there are a number of automatic failures to protect against high-risk growing and handling conditions. Growing produce in direct contact with uncomposted animal feces is one of the automatic failures. Since the audits do not differentiate the types of feces, for example warm-blooded animal feces from cows or pigs versus cold-blooded animal feces from fish, aquaponic systems trigger an automatic failure; regardless of all other conditions on the farm. The audits assume that all feces are potentially harmful, regardless of their source. This long-term study will address the subject of indicator microbes in aquaponic water as this emerging production system faces unique challenges with regard to food safety. Though concern about food safety related to aquaponic vegetable production is understandable, aquaponic produce and fish have been shown to be consistently safe (Rakocy, 2003; Chalmers, 2004). Increasing stakeholder awareness of the state of the scientific issues regarding indicator organisms in an aquaponic setting allows all participants to make informed decisions, and learning and employing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) is the desired outcome of this proposed project.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

30%

Applied

50%

Developmental

20%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
712	3714	1060	25%
712	4010	1060	25%
712	5010	1060	50%

Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
4010 - Bacteria; 3714 - Tilapia; 5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);

Keywords

aquaponics

e. coli

indicator species

bacteria

salmonella

manure

fish

effluent

epa water quality standards

good agricultural practices

Goals / Objectives
Goal: To increase stakeholder awareness of the state of the scientific issues regarding indicator organisms in an aquaponic setting which would allow all participants to make informed decisions, and learning and employing Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) OBJECTIVES: 1. Develop testing methods and regimens for aquaponic production systems focusing on microbial endpoints in vegetable tissue and system water with the eventual goal of an on-farm Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which can be used by third party auditors to achieve ranch audit food safety certification. 2. Characterize the long-term spatial and temporal variations in food safety-related microbial populations in harvestable vegetable produce and aquaponic system water and components. 3. Transfer developed aquaponic technology to appropriate end users via production of technical handouts (n=3) conducting demonstration workshops (n=3) and on farm field demonstrations. Outputs: 1) The information obtained during each year is to be summarized in at least one peer reviewed manuscript to be submitted to peer review journals for publication. 2)Another output is the production of at least one technical handout each year that summarizes the research results in a user-friendly format. 3) These technical handouts will form the basis for conducting at least one informational workshop each year. 4) A hands-on training workshop is also a targeted outcome and planned for each year of the proposed project. DESIRED OUTCOME: Criteria for success will be the successful incorporation of the developed technology on farm site and an improvement in the ability of aquaponic producers to achieve third party food safety ranch audits.

Project Methods
Objective 1: Develop testing methods and regimens for aquaponic production systems focusing on microbial endpoints in vegetable tissue and system water with the eventual goal of an on-farm SOP which can be used by third party auditors to achieve ranch audit food safety certification. All samples (water and plant produce) are to be obtained in a fashion that would allow establishment of protocol(s) for future water and tissue sampling on aquaponic operations. The collected samples will be submitted to an on-island accredited testing laboratory for analyses to mimic what would be done by a farm seeking food safety certification. The second method, which is currently under investigation and will be utilized in the proposed study involves taking composite samples of various aquaponic systems, thus allowing for sampling of the entire farm at a substantially reduced cost. Objective 2: Characterize the long-term spatial and temporal variations in food safety-related microbial populations in harvestable vegetable produce and aquaponic system water and components. Duration: Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3. The current study will result in the characterization of the microbial populations of aquaponic systems (i.e., the system components including but not limited to rafts, solid support media, net pots, seedling media, ubiquitous biofilm, circulating fecal matter, water, etc.) and monitor these populations over time to increase the knowledge base with respect to this emerging integrated agricultural production technology. Additionally, aquaponic produce will be regularly tested for food safety microbes to ensure previously low detected levels of microbes are not artifactual, and clean, safe produce can be reproducibly produced in these systems. Additionally, as the technology matures, hand-held PCR machines will be incorporated into the testing protocols to determine if newer, faster technology for monitoring microbial endpoints can be used on-farm effectively to reduce time and costs for food safety certification. Currently three commercial aquaponic farms (Maris Garden cooperator Fred Lau, Oahu, Kunia Country Farms, cooperator Jason Brand, Oahu and Living Aquaponics INC. cooperator Zac Hosler, Hawaii) have agreed to be the private sector collaborators. Objective 3: Transfer developed aquaponic technology to appropriate end users via production of technical handouts (n=2) conducting demonstration workshops (n=3) and on farm field demonstrations. Duration Year 1, 2 and 3. Project work group members are to collaborate with State agencies, particularly HDOA and HDOH, along with private sector farmers to fulfill this objective. The information obtained during each year is to be summarized in at least one peer reviewed manuscript to be submitted to peer review journals for publication. Another output is the production of at least one technical handout each year that summarizes the research results in a user-friendly format. These technical handouts will form the basis for conducting at least one informational workshop each year. A hands-on training workshop is also a targeted outcome and planned for the second year of the proposed project.

Progress 10/01/12 to 12/03/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Aquaponic producers in Hawaii and other islands in the Pacific, the public. Changes/Problems:This project ended (early) in December 2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?A variety of workshops, training sessions and conferences were held the covers various aspects of aquaponic operations (e.g. water quality assessment, pest management, and tilapia culture). 4H Military Workshop on Aquaponics, October 3, 2012. 20 people attended. Aquaponics in the Classroom, October 13, 2012. Windward Community College. 150 people attended. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. Feb 16, 2013. 23 certificates of professional development provided. Aquaculture of Tilapia in Hawaii, Mar 16, 2013, Windward Community College. 108 paid participants. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. March 23, 2013. 24 certificates of professional development provided. Sugano, J.S.K., J. Uyeda, S. Fukuda, C. Tamaru, K. Wang, B. Fox and T. Radovich. Integrated Pest Management in Non Soil Systems. Windward Community College. Kaneohe, Oahu. April 10, 2013. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. April 29, 2013. Palolo and Anuenue Elementary School Teachers and administrators. Hale Tuahine. 20 participants. James Hollyer, a project member, was often asked to speak about food safety. He talked about aquaponics but mostly dealt with on farm food safety such as food safe ways of growing produce, sanitary ways of harvesting produce, prevention of cross contamination in handling fish, and on farm sanitation. The talks were well received in Hawaii and in American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, and Guam. They were considered valuable enough that local governments found it to be in their interest to purchase additional time from Mr. Hollyer. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A total of five public displays were provided. Tamaru, C.S. and HoLastimosa, I. 2013. Aquaculture and Aquaponics Research and Extension at CTAHR. 500 participants. Taste of St. Patrick School. Feb. 9, 2013. Tamaru. C.S. Aquaculture and Aquaponics Research and Extension at CTAHR. Family Night Waipahu Middle School. 200 participants. Feb. 13, 2013. Tamaru. C.S. and Lum, V. March 8, 2013. Ag Awareness Day/ Urban Garden Center Pearl City. 600 5th graders. Tamaru, C.S. and HoLastimosa, I. Aquaponics display. March 26, 2013. Na Hoohanohano Ana o Kuhio Kalanianaole 75th anniversary of Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association. 200 participants. Radovich, T.J.K, Sugano, J., Uyeda, J., and Fox, B.K. 2013. Aquaponics, Hydroponics, and Organic Farming Display. 4th Annual Kamehameha Schools Sustainability Fair, April 29th 2013, Kapalama Campus. 400 participants 9th-12th grades. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? First, this project is a national leader in collecting aquaponic water quality data as it relates to potential foodborne pathogens. Data was published in CTAHR FST51. No other state has data like this and the study has provided a pathway for other states to follow should they want to investigate what is in their aquaponic farms and water. Discussions with the National Aquaponics Association have led to the formation of an even larger working group of scientists who may work together on aquaponic food safety issues as funding becomes available. These individuals include Dr. Trevor Suslow and Dr. Michele JayRussell (University of California Davis) and Dr. Sarah Tabor (University of Florida). This project has also opened the opportunity for CTAHR food safety team (Jim Hollyer and Luisa Castro) to make presentations at a variety of aquaponic workshops. Finally, this project has provided enough data to allow the Aquaponics Association, Dr. Sarah Tabor, and Jim Hollyer from CTAHR to submit testimony to the FDA on their draft FSMA Produce Rule as it relates to aquaponic water quality issues. Another major accomplishment was fish diseases. These diseases are caused by organisms that could also be pathogenic to humans. One such piece of work was tapeworm work in Kampachi seriola species. This followed work on a tilapia disease which turned out to be caused by Francisella noatunesis orietalis (Fno) a rickettsia-like organism. Fno affected both wild and farmed tilapia and the causative organism, once identified turned out not to cause problems with humans. The dynamics of piscine francisellosis amongst Tilapia species (Oreochromis spp.) in a controlled challenge with Francisella noatunensis subsp. Orientalis was investigated. A 25-week immersion challenge was conducted exposing O. mossambicus, O. aureus, and O. honorum to Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis (Fno). Two populations were compared for each fish species, "resident fish" were defined as fish maintained in tanks since week 0 of challenge; whereas "naïve fish" were defined as fish added to tanks once temperature in water reached <28ºC at 21 weeks post-challenge. Fno genome equivalents (GEs) in water were similar in all treatments 1 h post-challenge; however, significantly lower Fno GEs were detected 2 weeks post-challenge in all tanks, and the only treatment with detectable Fno GE after 4 weeks of challenge were the O. mossambicus tanks. Twenty-one weeks post-challenge, naïve fish were stocked with "resident" cohorts. Over a four week period, mortalities occurred consistently only in O. mossambicus naïve cohorts. Overall presence of granulomas in spleen of survivors were similar (>55%) in all resident populations; however, in naïve populations only O. mossambicus presented granulomas. Similarly, only O. mossambicus presented viable Fno in the spleen of survivors, and Fno GE were only detected in O. mossambicus, and in resident O. aureus. In conclusions the results of this study indicate different susceptibility of tilapia species to piscine francisellosis. Finally the project showed that the indigenous bacteria in aquaponics systems were beneficial to aquaponics and also served as biological control agents against pathogenic bacteria. Standards are being set for aquaponics. Hawaii has to most advanced standards and farm water is routinely tested for E. coli, a pathogenic form of which is dangerous. Thus far, E. coli levels seemed to be very low and below recommended thresholds. The only problems arisen were when warm blooded animals such as birds contaminated fish water. This had led to extra care during fish feeding as birds used to gather if they could feed on feed scattered on land.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Klinger-Bowen, R., Tamaru, C., McGovern-Hopkins, K., Li, Y., Francis, S., and Soto, E. 2016. Dynamics of piscine francisellosis differs amongst Tilapia species (Oreochromis spp.) in a controlled challenged with Francisella noatunensis subsp. Orientalis. Journal of Fish Diseases. In press.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Tamaru, C.S., KlingerBowen, R.C., Ogawa, K., Iwaki, T., Kurashima, A., and Ito, N. 2016. Prevalence and Species Identity of Trypanorhyncha in Cultured and Wild Amberjack, Seriola spp. in Hawai'i - Implications for Aquaculture. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society. Volume 47, Issue 1, pages 4250, February 2016.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Soto, E., McGovernHopkins, K., KlingerBowen, R., Fox, B.K., Brock, J., Antonio, N., van der Waal, Z., Rushton, S., Mill, A., and Tamaru, C.S. 2013. Prevalence of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in cultured tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. Vol: 25(2):104-109. DOI: 10.1080/08997659.2013.781554
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Fox, B.K., Tamaru, C.S., Hollyer, J., Castro, L.F., Fonseca, J.M., JayRussell, M., and Low, T. 2012. A Preliminary Study of Microbial Water Quality Related to Food Safety in Recirculating Aquaponic Fish and Vegetable Production Systems. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Food Safety and Technology, no 51. 11 pages.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Radovich, T.J.K., Pant, A., Gurr, I., Hue, N.V., Sugano, J., Sipes, B., Arancon, N., Tamaru, C., Fox, B.K., Kobayashi, K.D., and Paull, R. 2012. Innovative Use of Locally Produced Inputs to Improve Plant Growth, Crop Quality, and Grower Profitability in Hawaii. HorTechnology 22(6): 738-742.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience was current newly established aquaponic producers in Hawaii. Focus on other island groups in the Pacific would be a follow up activity. Changes/Problems: Health issues and pending retirements of key personnel may necessitate a change of focus or termination of the project in 2015. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The workshops which were held twice a year normally were attended by about 200 people. James Hollyer, a project member, was often asked to speak about food safety. He talked about aquaponics but mostly dealt with on farm food safety such as food safe ways of growing produce, sanitary ways of harvesting produce, prevention of cross contamination in handling fish, and on farm sanitation. The talks were well received in Hawaii and well received in American Samoa, the Marshall Islands, and Guam. They were considered valuable enough that local governments found it to be in their interest to purchase additional time from Mr. Hollyer. When the aquaponics group was in American Samoa, Mr. Hollyer gave his talk and then spent two days touring farms in American Samoa inspecting food safe practices. Two farms were shut down until sanitary procedures could be upgraded. The governments of American Samoa and Guam will institute food safety programs with the assistance of this project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Efforts will necessarily be decreased due to pending retirements of key personnel.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? One of two major thrusts was fish diseases. These diseases are caused by organisms that could also be pathogenic to humans. One such piece of work was tapeworm work in kampachi aSeriolaspecies. The manuscript is in press and the authors and abstract are included at the end of this e-mail. This follows work on a tilapia disease which turns out to be caused byFrancisella noatunesis orietalis(Fno) a rickettsia-like organism. Fno affected both wild and farmed tilapia and the causative organism, once identified turned out not to cause problems with humans. The second thrust of the project was farm food safety. This was wrapped in the aquaponics blanket, aquaponics generating great interest among farmers and the public. Aquaponics was deemed interesting from the food safety point of view because it uses animal/fish metabolites as nutritional drivers of vegetable production. It was shown that the bacteria in aquaponics systems were beneficial to aquaponics and also served as biological control agents against pathogenic bacteria. Standards are being set for aquaponics. Hawaii has to most advanced standards and farm water is routinely tested for E. coli, a pathogenic form of which is dangerous. Thus far, E. coli levels seem to be very low and below recommended thresholds. The only problems arise are when warm blooded animals such as birds contaminate fish water. This had led to extra care during fish feeding as birds used to gather if they could feed on feed scattered on land.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Accepted Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tamaru, C.S., Klinger-Bowen, R.C., Ogawa, K., Iwaki, T., Kurashima, A., and Ito, N. 2015. Prevalence and Species Identity of Trypanorhyncha in Cultured and Wild Amberjack, Seriola spp. in Hawaii and Japan; Implications for Aquaculture. J. World Aquaculture Society. (In press).

Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: This project is a national leader in the collection of aquaponic water quality data as it relates to potential food-borne pathogens. Data is now published in CTAHR FST-51. No other state has data like this and the study has provided a pathway for other states to follow should they want to investigate what is in their aquaponic farms’ water. Discussions with the (national) Aquaponics Association have led to the formation of an even larger working group of scientists who may work together on aquaponic food safety issues as funding becomes available. These individuals include Dr. Trevor Suslow and Dr. Michele Jay-Russell (University of California – Davis) and Dr. Sarah Tabor (University of Florida). This project has also opened the opportunity for CTAHR’s food safety team (Jim Hollyer and Luisa Castro) to make presentations at a variety of aquaponic workshops. Finally, this project has provided enough data to allow the Aquaponics Association, Dr. Sarah Tabor, and Jim Hollyer from CTAHR to submit testimony to the FDA on their draft FSMA Produce Rule as it relates to aquaponic water quality issues. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During the reporting period a variety of workshops,training sessions and one conference were held the covers various aspects of aquaponic operations (e.g. water aquality assessment, pest management, tilapia culture). They are: 4H Military Workshop On Aquaponics, October 3, 2012. 20 people attended. Aquaponics in the Classroom, October 13, 2012,. Windward Community College. 150 people attended. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. Feb 16, 2013. 23 certificates of professional development provided. Aquaculture of Tilapia in Hawaii, Mar 16, 2013, Windward Community College. 108 paid participants. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. March 23, 2013. 24 certificates of professional development provided. Sugano, J.S.K., J. Uyeda, S. Fukuda, C. Tamaru, K. Wang, B. Fox and T. Radovich. Integrated Pest Management in Non Soil Systems. Windward Community College. Kaneohe, Oahu. April 10, 2013. Water quality Water Quality Testing for Aquaponics System Workshop. April 29, 2013. Palolo and Anuenue Elementary School Teachers and administrators. 20 participants. Hale Tuahine How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? During the reporting period a total of five public displays wereprovided: Theywere: Tamaru, C.S. and Ho-Lastimosa, I. 2013. Aquaculture and Aquaponics Research and Extension at CTAHR. 500 participants.Taste of St. Patrick School. Feb. 9, 2013. Tamaru. C.S. Aquaculture and Aquaponics Research and Extension at CTAHR. Family Night Waipahu Middle School. 200 participants. Feb. 13, 2013. Tamaru. C.S. and Lum, V. March 8, 2013. AgAwareness Day/ Urban Garden Center Pearl City. 600 - 5th graders. Tamaru, C.S. and Ho-Lastimosa, I. Aquaponics display. March 26, 2013. Na Ho’ohanohano ana o kuhio kalanianaole & 75th anniversary of Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association. 200 participants. Radovich, T.J.K, Sugano, J., Uyeda, J., and Fox, B.K. 2013. Aquaponics, Hydroponics, and Organic Farming Display. 4th Annual Kamehameha Schools Sustainability Fair, April 29th 2013, Kapalama Campus. 400 participants 9th-12th grade. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period funding is being solicited in order to accomplish the tasks outlined in Objectives 1and 2 of the proposal. Additional training workshops (e.g. water quality) areto be held to bring stakeholders with the latestinformation.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Discussions with the (national) Aquaponics Association have led to the formation of a working group of scientists who may work together on aquaponic food safety issues as funding becomes available. These individuals include Dr. Trevor Suslow and Dr. Michele Jay-Russell (University of California – Davis) and Dr. Sarah Tabor (University of Florida).Finally, this project has provided enough data to allow the Aquaponics Association, Dr. Sarah Tabor, and Jim Hollyer from CTAHR to submit testimony to the FDA on their draft FSMA Produce Rule as it relates to aquaponic water quality issues.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Fox, B.K., Tamaru, C.S., Hollyer, J., Castro, L.F., Fonseca, J.M., Jay-Russell, M., and Low, T. 2012. A Preliminary Study of Microbial Water Quality Related to Food Safety in Recirculating Aquaponic Fish and Vegetable Production Systems. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Food Safety and Technology, no 51. 11 pages.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Soto, E., McGovern-Hopkins, K., Klinger-Bowen, R., Fox, B.K., Brock, J., Antonio, N., van der Waal, Z., Rushton, S., Mill, A., and Tamaru, C.S. 2013. Prevalence of Francisella noatunensis subsp. orientalis in cultured tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health. Vol: 25(2):104-109.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Radovich, T.J.K., Pant, A., Gurr, I., Hue, N.V., Sugano, J., Sipes, B., Arancon, N., Tamaru, C., Fox, B.K., Kobayashi, K.D., and Paull, R. 2012. Innovative Use of Locally Produced Inputs to Improve Plant Growth, Crop Quality, and Grower Profitability in Hawaii. HorTechnology 22(6): 738-742.