What is the effect of natural immunomodulators on the immune response of aquaculture species?
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Natural Immunomodulators in Aquaculture: Effects on Immune Response
Polysaccharides and Prebiotics: Immune Enhancement and Disease Resistance
Natural polysaccharides, especially those derived from seaweeds and other plant sources, have been shown to significantly enhance both innate and adaptive immune responses in aquaculture species. These compounds, when included in the diet or administered through other means, boost key immune functions such as lysozyme activity, phagocytosis, and cytokine production. This leads to improved disease resistance, better stress tolerance, and overall health in fish and shellfish, making polysaccharides a sustainable alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture practices Bakky2025Muahiddah2024Abdel‐Latif2022. Prebiotics like mannanoligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, and inulin also stimulate the immune system by enhancing phagocytosis, lysozyme activity, and the complement system, resulting in increased growth and improved health status in fish .
Seaweed-Derived Compounds: Fucoidan and Eucheuma cottonii
Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweeds, has demonstrated strong immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in aquaculture species. Its inclusion in aquafeed improves growth, intestinal health, and immune responses, while also increasing resistance to bacterial and viral infections in both finfish and shellfish . Similarly, Eucheuma cottonii, another seaweed, acts as a natural immunostimulant by increasing total haemocyte count, phagocytic activity, and immune-related gene expression, helping aquatic animals fight off infections more effectively .
Herbal Immunomodulators: Plant Extracts and Medicinal Herbs
Herbal extracts and medicinal plants are increasingly used as immunostimulants in aquaculture due to their eco-friendly nature and minimal side effects. These plant-derived compounds contain bioactive secondary metabolites that stimulate fish immunity, improve growth performance, and provide antimicrobial properties. For example, Juniperus oxycedrus extract has been shown to enhance hematological parameters and reduce infection severity in red tilapia, while other herbal supplements have been effective in boosting disease resistance and stress resilience in various aquaculture species Abderrahim2025Priyadarshini2023Gupta2021+1 MORE.
Insect Meals: Chitin and Antimicrobial Peptides
Insect meals, used as alternative protein sources in aquafeeds, also provide immunomodulatory benefits. Components such as chitin and antimicrobial peptides in insect exoskeletons play a crucial role in enhancing immunity, improving survival rates, and increasing feed conversion efficiency in aquatic animals. These effects are attributed to the stimulation of immune-related genes and improved oxidative stress responses .
Host Defense Peptides: Cathelicidins
Fish-derived cathelicidins, a family of host defense peptides, exhibit both direct antimicrobial activity and potent immunomodulatory effects. They can inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and stimulate chemokine production, leading to reduced bacterial loads and higher survival rates in infected fish. This highlights their potential as novel immunomodulators in aquaculture .
Conclusion
Natural immunomodulators—including polysaccharides, prebiotics, seaweed extracts, herbal compounds, insect meals, and host defense peptides—consistently enhance the immune response of aquaculture species. These agents improve disease resistance, stress tolerance, and overall health, offering sustainable alternatives to antibiotics and synthetic chemicals. Continued research and careful application of these natural products will further support the health and sustainability of global aquaculture.
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