Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
Phytobiotics are receiving increasing attention in aquaculture due to their eco-friendly properties and potential to serve as natural alternatives to antibiotics. They comprise of bioactive compounds extracted from specific plant parts such as leaves, seeds, roots, bark, and fruit peels, Concerns ov...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | The Microbe |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019462500264X |
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| Summary: | Phytobiotics are receiving increasing attention in aquaculture due to their eco-friendly properties and potential to serve as natural alternatives to antibiotics. They comprise of bioactive compounds extracted from specific plant parts such as leaves, seeds, roots, bark, and fruit peels, Concerns over antibiotic resistance and chemical residues have prompted the search for safer, sustainable alternatives such as phytobiotics. Phytobiotics, typically administered through feed, offer multifunctional benefits due to the presence of compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, phenolics, glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids, and terpenoids. These compounds enhance growth, stimulate appetite, modulate immunity, reduce oxidative stress, and improve disease resistance in fish. This review focuses on the primary sources of phytobiotics, particularly plant-based materials such as agricultural byproducts, leaves, seeds, roots, bark, fruit peels, and explores their applications in aquaculture. The purpose of this review is to synthesize recent advances on the use of phytobiotics in aquaculture, focusing on their biological functions, mechanisms of action, and practical applications. It also discusses their impact on gut health, immune-related gene expression, and tissue protection, supported by molecular and histological evidence across various fish species. Additionally, this review identifies key research gaps and outlines future trends in phytobiotic application, including the need for sustainable sourcing (e.g., agricultural byproducts), isolation of potent bioactive compounds, use of omics-based approaches to understand molecular mechanisms, and development of targeted delivery systems such as encapsulated and water-stable feed additives. Integration of phytobiotics with probiotics and species-specific formulations also presents a promising strategy for broader commercial adoption. By highlighting both current applications and future directions, this review contributes to the advancement of phytobiotics as effective, natural feed additives that support fish health, reduce antibiotic reliance, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices. |
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| ISSN: | 2950-1946 |