Breakthrough Norovirus Treatment Enhances Biosafety Standards for Commercial Oysters

Norovirus is the primary cause of widespread acute gastroenteritis and poses a direct threat to shellfish species. Due to their biological nature as filter feeders, oysters and other mollusks continuously filter microscopic particles from seawater to absorb nutrients, unintentionally accumulating viral particles present in the environment. Contamination in farming areas often creates systemic risks for commercial seafood production.

Real-world cases from major production regions such as Ireland, Spain, and Australia show that contamination becomes particularly severe during winter seasons. Harvesting zones are frequently forced to suspend operations, exposing businesses to production shutdowns, product recall costs, and reputational damage in the marketplace. For many years, scientists struggled to identify a practical technical solution until recent breakthroughs in water treatment technology emerged.

Experimental Data Confirms Year-Round Treatment Capability

A research project involving six leading scientific organizations has provided the first verified evidence of direct Norovirus removal from seawater using vacuum flotation technology. Analytical results revealed that viral concentration dropped dramatically from 37 million genome copies to 8 million copies after just two hours of treatment. Notably, virus concentration collected within the recovery section of the system increased more than 21-fold, approaching 254 million units per liter.

A Solution to the Global Oyster Industry’s Norovirus Challenge

The VAL AQUA system operates through vacuum flotation technology, helping separate viral particles and reduce Norovirus loads from seawater environments.

These findings confirm that the virus is physically extracted and collected mechanically rather than merely diluted. The microbubble extraction mechanism demonstrated real operational efficiency against viral particles suspended in seawater. Validation trials conducted during spring 2025 and winter 2026 compared system performance under the harshest environmental conditions. Although winter viral loads were 15 times higher than in spring, the system maintained stable performance under strict monitoring by two independent laboratories.

 

 

 

Eliminating Viruses Through Advanced Physicochemical Technology

At the core of Coldep’s process is the VAL (Vacuum Airlift Flotation) system, a vacuum flotation method utilizing ultra-fine bubbles to capture and remove microscopic particles from water environments. One of the greatest challenges has always been the microscopic size of Norovirus, measuring only around 30 nanometers. This characteristic previously led experts to believe that conventional flotation technologies would struggle to remove such tiny particles effectively. Coldep’s findings have now completely changed that perception, proving that air flotation technology is fully capable of separating ultra-small viral particles.

Practical Applications Across the Aquaculture Value Chain

Coldep has identified two strategic deployment scenarios for the system moving forward. The first involves installing the technology at wastewater treatment discharge points to eliminate pathogens before treated water reaches coastal farming areas, directly protecting shellfish cultivation zones. The second focuses on integrating the system into oyster holding and depuration tanks, where continuous water treatment helps prevent viral re-entry into shellfish, supporting natural purification processes.

Operators emphasize that VAL AQUA functions as a water purification support system rather than acting directly on oyster biology. The technology has been present in the mollusk farming industry since 2018. To date, more than 100 projects worldwide have implemented the system, including recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), large-scale farms, and public aquariums.

Source: nongnghiephuuco

AQUA MINA CO., LTD

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