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: Bala Akhila Pudota, Neeraja Tambireddy, Rajanidhi Chennu, Lavanya Chethurajupalli, Haseena Shaik, Ranjit Kumar Nadella, Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee, Anand Prasad Paturi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:The Microbe
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019462500264X
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author Bala Akhila Pudota
Neeraja Tambireddy
Rajanidhi Chennu
Lavanya Chethurajupalli
Haseena Shaik
Ranjit Kumar Nadella
Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee
Anand Prasad Paturi
author_facet Bala Akhila Pudota
Neeraja Tambireddy
Rajanidhi Chennu
Lavanya Chethurajupalli
Haseena Shaik
Ranjit Kumar Nadella
Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee
Anand Prasad Paturi
author_sort Bala Akhila Pudota
collection DOAJ
description 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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spelling doaj-art-2202e5a509d44f028fc60320a25f65b72025-08-20T03:59:35ZengElsevierThe Microbe2950-19462025-09-01810049610.1016/j.microb.2025.100496Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trendsBala Akhila Pudota0Neeraja Tambireddy1Rajanidhi Chennu2Lavanya Chethurajupalli3Haseena Shaik4Ranjit Kumar Nadella5Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee6Anand Prasad Paturi7College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University (APFU), Muthukur, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh 524344, India; Corresponding authors.College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University APFU, Narasapuram, West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh 534275, India; Corresponding authors.College of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University (APFU), Muthukur, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh 524344, IndiaCollege of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University (APFU), Muthukur, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh 524344, IndiaICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (ICAR-CIFE), off-Yari road, Versova, Andheri (W), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400061, IndiaICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Willingdon Island, Matsyapuri, Cochin, Kerala 682029, IndiaICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT), Willingdon Island, Matsyapuri, Cochin, Kerala 682029, IndiaCollege of Fishery Science, Andhra Pradesh Fisheries University (APFU), Muthukur, SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh 524344, IndiaPhytobiotics 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.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019462500264XAntimicrobial propertyAntioxidant natureBio-active compoundsGrowth promotersImmune modulator
spellingShingle Bala Akhila Pudota
Neeraja Tambireddy
Rajanidhi Chennu
Lavanya Chethurajupalli
Haseena Shaik
Ranjit Kumar Nadella
Niladri Sekhar Chatterjee
Anand Prasad Paturi
Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
The Microbe
Antimicrobial property
Antioxidant nature
Bio-active compounds
Growth promoters
Immune modulator
title Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
title_full Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
title_fullStr Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
title_short Exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture: Present status and future trends
title_sort exploring the perspectives of phytobiotics and their role in aquaculture present status and future trends
topic Antimicrobial property
Antioxidant nature
Bio-active compounds
Growth promoters
Immune modulator
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S295019462500264X
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