Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Aquatic Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 July 2023) | Viewed by 18042

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

There is an extensive scientific bibliography on the use of probiotics, plant essential oils, and other functional additives in aquafeeds. Diverse and well-documented advantages of using probiotics and other feed additives in aquaculture include improved welfare and immune response of aqua-cultured organisms, improved digestibility, feed conversion, and growth rate, and decreased environmental impact of fish farms.

Exploring the advantages of probiotics and other feed additives for aquaculture can help to overcome a number of obstacles to the sustainability of the global aquaculture industry. This Special Issue’s goal is to compile research papers that report on developments and progress in this field.

Particularly welcomed are papers that focus on antioxidant and immune responses, as well as methods for producing and administering probiotics and other feed additives to aquaculture organisms. Papers that elucidate the mechanism of the beneficial effect of feed additives are also welcome.

Prof. Dr. Cosmas Nathanailides
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aquaculture
  • probiotics
  • prebiotic
  • immunostimulants
  • synbiotics
  • essential oils

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 2241 KiB  
Article
Autochthonous Bacilli and Fructooligosaccharide as Functional Feed Additives Improve Growth, Feed Utilisation, Haemato-Immunological Parameters and Disease Resistance in Rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton)
by Tanaya Sukul, Zulhisyam Abdul Kari, Guillermo Téllez-Isaías and Koushik Ghosh
Animals 2023, 13(16), 2631; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162631 - 15 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1728
Abstract
The effects of Bacillus spp. (7 Log CFU g−1 feed) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS, 1%) as functional feed additives, either alone or in combination, were evaluated in a study on rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. The fish were fed different diets for 90 days, [...] Read more.
The effects of Bacillus spp. (7 Log CFU g−1 feed) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS, 1%) as functional feed additives, either alone or in combination, were evaluated in a study on rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. The fish were fed different diets for 90 days, including a control diet and diets supplemented with FOS, B. licheniformis, B. methylotrophicus or synbiotic formulations of these. The results showed that the combination of B. licheniformis and FOS significantly improved weight gain, feed utilisation and protease activity compared to the other groups. Overall, the groups supplemented with probiotics and synbiotics (B. licheniformis + FOS or B. methylotrophicus + FOS) showed improvements in haematology, serum biochemistry and immune parameters compared to the control group. After 90 days of experimental feeding, the fish were challenged with pathogenic Aeromonas hydrophila, and data on haematology, immunity and stress parameters were collected. The results indicated that the application of Bacillus spp. and FOS boosted immunity and resistance to physiological stress in the fish. The highest post-challenge survival rate was observed in fish fed a diet with B. licheniformis and FOS, indicating the potential of this particular combination of functional feed additives to enhance growth, immunity and disease resistance in L. rohita. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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15 pages, 3520 KiB  
Article
Dietary Curcumin Supplementation Could Improve Muscle Quality, Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and the Gut Microbiota Structure of Pelodiscus sinensis
by Jia-Yuan Jiang, Hua Wen, Ming Jiang, Juan Tian, Li-Xue Dong, Ze-Chao Shi, Tong Zhou, Xing Lu and Hong-Wei Liang
Animals 2023, 13(16), 2626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13162626 - 14 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1458
Abstract
This experiment aimed to assess the impact of different dietary curcumin (CM) levels on growth, muscle quality, serum-biochemical parameters, antioxidant-enzyme activities, gut microbiome, and liver transcriptome in Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis). Five experimental diets were formulated to include graded levels [...] Read more.
This experiment aimed to assess the impact of different dietary curcumin (CM) levels on growth, muscle quality, serum-biochemical parameters, antioxidant-enzyme activities, gut microbiome, and liver transcriptome in Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis). Five experimental diets were formulated to include graded levels of curcumin at 0 (control, CM0), 0.5 (CM0.5), 1 (CM1), 2 (CM2) and 4 g/kg (CM4). Each diet was randomly distributed to quadruplicate groups of turtles (164.33 ± 5.5 g) for 6 weeks. Our findings indicated that dietary curcumin supplementation did not have a significant influence on growth performance (p > 0.05); however, it significantly improved the muscular texture profiles (p < 0.05). Serum total superoxide dismutase (SOD), liver catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities increased significantly as dietary curcumin levels rose from 0.5 to 4 g/kg (p < 0.05). Dietary curcumin supplementation improved gut microbiota composition, as evidenced by an increase in the proportion of dominant bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Flavobacterium. Liver transcriptome analysis revealed that curcumin altered metabolic pathways in the liver. In conclusion, based on the evaluation of the activities of SOD in serum and CAT in liver under current experimental design, it was determined that the appropriate dietary curcumin supplementation for Chinese soft-shelled turtles is approximately 3.9 g/kg. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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17 pages, 1737 KiB  
Article
Breeding Substrate Containing Distillation Residues of Mediterranean Medicinal Aromatic Plants Modulates the Effects of Tenebrio molitor as Fishmeal Substitute on Blood Signal Transduction and WBC Activation of Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata)
by Efthimia Antonopoulou, Markos Kolygas, Nikolas Panteli, Evangelia Gouva, Panagiota Kontogeorgiou, Konstantinos Feidantsis, Achilleas Chatzopoulos, Konstantina Bitchava, Christos Zacharis, Eleftherios Bonos, Ilias Giannenas, Ioannis Skoufos, Stefanos S. Andreadis, Georgios Skoulakis, Christos G. Athanassiou and Cosmas Nathanailides
Animals 2023, 13(15), 2537; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13152537 - 6 Aug 2023
Viewed by 1724
Abstract
This work assesses the dietary use of two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae reared in conventional (TM-10) or MAP-enriched substrates (MAP-TM-10) as fish meal replacements (10%) in the diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish (n = 4500; [...] Read more.
This work assesses the dietary use of two insect meals of Tenebrio molitor (TM) larvae reared in conventional (TM-10) or MAP-enriched substrates (MAP-TM-10) as fish meal replacements (10%) in the diets of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). Fish (n = 4500; 207.19 ± 1.47 g) were divided into three groups with triplicates: control (fed conventional diet), TM-10, and MAP-TM-10 groups. The fish were reared in floating cages for 12 weeks and the dietary effects on white blood cell activation, heat shock proteins, MAPKs, and apoptosis of the fish were evaluated. The MAP-TM-10 group exhibited the highest eosinophilic induction. Phosphorylated levels of p38 MAPK, p44/42 MAPK, HSP70, and HSP90 increased in the TM-10 and MAP-TM-10 groups. In terms of apoptosis, Bax levels were lower in the TM groups compared to the control, and the MAP-TM-10 group showed even lower levels than the TM-10 group. Bcl-2 levels increased in the TM-10 group compared to the control, and further increased in the MAP-TM-10 group. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, an apoptosis indicator, decreased in the TM groups, with the MAP-TM-10 group showing a further decrease compared to TM-10. These findings suggest that insects’ breeding substrate being enriched with MAPs modulated the effect of TM on cellular stress and apoptosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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19 pages, 4614 KiB  
Article
The Probiotic Phaeobacter inhibens Provokes Hypertrophic Growth via Activation of the IGF-1/Akt Pathway during the Process of Metamorphosis of Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili, Risso 1810)
by Nikolas Panteli, Konstantinos Feidantsis, Maria Demertzioglou, Vasiliki Paralika, Stelios Karapanagiotis, Constantinos C. Mylonas, Konstantinos Ar. Kormas, Eleni Mente, Pavlos Makridis and Efthimia Antonopoulou
Animals 2023, 13(13), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132154 - 29 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1953
Abstract
Metamorphosis entails hormonally regulated morphological and physiological changes requiring high energy levels. Probiotics as feed supplements generate ameliorative effects on host nutrient digestion and absorption. Thereby, the aim of the present research was to investigate the impact of the probiotic Phaeobacter inhibens as [...] Read more.
Metamorphosis entails hormonally regulated morphological and physiological changes requiring high energy levels. Probiotics as feed supplements generate ameliorative effects on host nutrient digestion and absorption. Thereby, the aim of the present research was to investigate the impact of the probiotic Phaeobacter inhibens as a water additive on cellular signaling pathways in the metamorphosis of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili). Activation of insulin-like growth factor type 1 receptor (IGF-1R), protein kinase B (Akt), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), induction of heat shock proteins (Hsps), and programmed cell death were assessed through SDS-Page/immunoblot analysis, while energy metabolism was determined through enzymatic activities. According to the results, greater amberjack reared in P. inhibens-enriched water entered the metamorphic phase with greater body length, while protein synthesis was triggered to facilitate the hypertrophic growth as indicated by IGF-1/Akt activation and AMPK inhibition. Contrarily, MAPKs levels were reduced, whereas variations in Hsps response were evident in the probiotic treatment. Apoptosis and autophagy were mobilized potentially for the structural remodeling processes. Furthermore, the elevated enzymatic activities of intermediary metabolism highlighted the excess energy demands of metamorphosis. Collectively, the present findings demonstrate that P. inhibens may reinforce nutrient utilization, thus leading greater amberjack to an advanced growth and developmental state. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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24 pages, 6915 KiB  
Article
Feeding-Regime-Dependent Intestinal Response of Rainbow Trout after Administration of a Novel Probiotic Feed
by Marek Ratvaj, Ivana Cingeľová Maruščáková, Peter Popelka, Adriána Fečkaninová, Jana Koščová, Natália Chomová, Jan Mareš, Ondřej Malý, Rudolf Žitňan, Martin Faldyna and Dagmar Mudroňová
Animals 2023, 13(12), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121892 - 6 Jun 2023
Viewed by 1430
Abstract
Intensive fish farming is associated with a high level of stress, causing immunosuppression. Immunomodulators of natural origin, such as probiotics or phytoadditives, represent a promising alternative for increasing the immune function of fish. In this study, we tested the autochthonous trout probiotic strain [...] Read more.
Intensive fish farming is associated with a high level of stress, causing immunosuppression. Immunomodulators of natural origin, such as probiotics or phytoadditives, represent a promising alternative for increasing the immune function of fish. In this study, we tested the autochthonous trout probiotic strain L. plantarum R2 in a newly developed, low-cost application form ensuring the rapid revitalization of bacteria. We tested continuous and cyclic feeding regimes with regard to their effect on the intestinal immune response and microbiota of rainbow trout. We found that during the continuous application of probiotic feed, the immune system adapts to the immunomodulator and there is no substantial stimulation of the intestinal immune response. During the cyclic treatment, after a 3-week break in probiotic feeding and the reintroduction of probiotics, there was a significant stimulation of the gene expression of molecules associated with both cellular and humoral immunity (CD8, TGF-β, IL8, TLR9), without affecting the gene expression for IL1 and TNF-α. We can conclude that, in aquaculture, this probiotic feed can be used with a continuous application, which does not cause excessive immunostimulation, or with a cyclic application, which provides the opportunity to stimulate the immunity of trout, for example, in periods of stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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13 pages, 5095 KiB  
Article
An Evaluation of Laminarin Additive in the Diets of Juvenile Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides): Growth, Antioxidant Capacity, Immune Response and Intestinal Microbiota
by Youjun Wu, Yan Cheng, Shichao Qian, Wei Zhang, Mengmeng Huang, Shun Yang and Hui Fei
Animals 2023, 13(3), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13030459 - 28 Jan 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2371
Abstract
A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of laminarin (LAM) supplemented diets in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four hundred and eighty fish (initial average weight: 0.72 ± 0.04 g) were [...] Read more.
A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the growth performance, immune response and intestinal microbiota of laminarin (LAM) supplemented diets in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four hundred and eighty fish (initial average weight: 0.72 ± 0.04 g) were randomly divided into four groups (40 fish per tank with three replicates in each group) Four diets were prepared with LAM supplementation at the doses of 0 (control), 5 g Kg−1 (LL), 10 g Kg−1 (ML) and 15 g Kg−1 (HL), respectively. No significant difference in the specific growth rate (SGR) and hepatosomatic index (HSI) was observed in fish among the four groups, or in the lipid and ash content of fish flesh. In addition, fish in the LL group exhibited much higher antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05), while the diets with the inclusion of 5 and 10 g Kg−1 LAM remarkably decreased the antioxidant capacity of fish (p > 0.05). Dietary LAM at the dose of 5 g Kg−1 inhibited the transcription of interleukin-1β (il-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (tnf-α), while promoting the expression of transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β) in fish intestine. Moreover, the beneficial intestinal bacteria Bacteroide, Comamonas and Mycoplasma abundance significantly increased in fish from the LL group, while the content of opportunistic pathogens Plesiomonas, Aeromonas and Brevinema in fish of the HL group was substantially higher than the control group. Overall, the appropriate dose of supplemented LAM in the diet was 5 g Kg−1, while an excessive supplementation of LAM in the diet led to microbial community instability in largemouth bass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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Review

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26 pages, 1080 KiB  
Review
Sustainable Ornamental Fish Aquaculture: The Implication of Microbial Feed Additives
by Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar, Francesca Maradonna, Mehwish Faheem, Ramasamy Harikrishnan, Gunapathy Devi, Einar Ringø, Hien Van Doan, Ghasem Ashouri, Giorgia Gioacchini and Oliana Carnevali
Animals 2023, 13(10), 1583; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101583 - 9 May 2023
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 6460
Abstract
Ornamental fish trade represents an important economic sector with an export turnover that reached approximately 5 billion US dollars in 2018. Despite its high economic importance, this sector does not receive much attention. Ornamental fish husbandry still faces many challenges and losses caused [...] Read more.
Ornamental fish trade represents an important economic sector with an export turnover that reached approximately 5 billion US dollars in 2018. Despite its high economic importance, this sector does not receive much attention. Ornamental fish husbandry still faces many challenges and losses caused by transport stress and handling and outbreak of diseases are still to be improved. This review will provide insights on ornamental fish diseases along with the measures used to avoid or limit their onset. Moreover, this review will discuss the role of different natural and sustainable microbial feed additives, particularly probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on the health, reduction in transport stress, growth, and reproduction of farmed ornamental fish. Most importantly, this review aims to fill the informational gaps existing in advanced and sustainable practices in the ornamental fish production. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Other Functional Feed Additives in Aquaculture)
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