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Updated: May 26, 2026
04:40
The Cultivation, Growth, and Viability of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Quality Control Perspective
Published on: June 16, 2022
Prospects and challenges in using engineered lactic acid bacteria in aquaculture applications
Xiyin Huang1,2, Xiangze Sun3, Xingya Dong1
1Institute of Synthetic Biology Industry, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde 415000, China.
Engineering Microbiology
|May 25, 2026
Summary
Genetically engineered lactic acid bacteria (LAB) overcome limitations of wild strains for aquaculture. These enhanced probiotics improve disease prevention, growth, and water quality in fish and shellfish farming.
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture Biotechnology
- Probiotics and Microbial Engineering
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Background:
- Wild-type lactic acid bacteria (LAB) possess probiotic potential but have functional limitations for demanding aquaculture environments.
- Bridging the gap between wild-type LAB capabilities and aquaculture needs requires advanced engineering strategies.
- Genetically engineered LAB offer enhanced traits for improved performance in aquaculture applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review strategies and advances in applying genetically engineered LAB in aquaculture.
- To highlight technologies used for enhancing LAB functions, such as targeted delivery and environmental tolerance.
- To assess the performance of engineered LAB strains in disease prevention, growth promotion, and environmental remediation.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic engineering technologies including CRISPR/Cas systems and Red/ET recombination.
- Functional modifications to enhance LAB traits like environmental tolerance and probiotic functions.
- Development of engineered strains for specific applications: oral vaccines, antimicrobial peptide production, and nitrite degradation.
Main Results:
- Engineered LAB strains exhibit enhanced targeted delivery, environmental tolerance, and multiple probiotic functions.
- Successful development of strains for oral vaccines, high-yield antimicrobial peptide production, and water quality improvement (nitrite degradation).
- Demonstrated superior performance of engineered LAB over wild-type strains in tilapia, shrimp, and shellfish farming for disease prevention, growth, and remediation.
Conclusions:
- Genetically engineered LAB show significant promise for sustainable aquaculture, offering improved disease prevention, growth promotion, and environmental remediation.
- Challenges including plasmid instability, biosafety, and regulatory hurdles need to be addressed for widespread adoption.
- Future research should focus on precision design, responsive genetic circuits, and comprehensive risk assessment for engineered LAB in aquaculture.
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