Antimicrobial peptides in shrimp aquaculture: Mechanisms, translational applications, and future perspectives

Shrimp aquaculture is a cornerstone of global seafood production but continues to face recurrent disease outbreaks and increasing restrictions on antibiotic use. The declining efficacy of conventional antibiotics and rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) underscore the urgent need for novel, immune-based strategies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small, bioactive molecules integral to the shrimp innate immune system that exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and immunomodulatory potential. This review highlights recent mechanistic and applied advances in AMPs as sustainable, antibiotic-sparing alternatives for disease management. This review synthesizes current knowledge on endogenous shrimp AMPs and evaluates exogenous AMPs applications, delivery technologies, and regulatory considerations. Particular attention is given to limitations related to peptide stability, production scalability, delivery efficiency, and potential resistance development. A structured translational framework is proposed to guide the development of AMP-based disease management strategies for shrimp aquaculture, linking peptide discovery and engineering with formulation, farm validation, environmental assessment, and regulatory implementation. This framework leverages AI-assisted peptide discovery, host immune priming, microbiome-informed formulations, and scalable biomanufacturing to achieve farm-ready solutions that enhance shrimp health and sustainability.