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Functional Feeds as Immunostimulants for Aquaculture: A Molecular Perspective
Uzeme Precious Aluta1, Nada Ćujić Nikolić2, Arzu Yildirim3
1Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, unilag.edu.ng.
Aquaculture Nutrition
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Dietary immunostimulants boost fish immunity for disease management in aquaculture. Advanced molecular
Area of Science:
- Aquaculture and Fish Immunology
- Functional Feeds Development
Background:
- Dietary immunostimulants offer a safe, eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture.
- Sources include algae, plants, minerals, prebiotics, and probiotics.
- Traditional biochemical markers offer limited mechanistic insights into immunostimulant effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review molecular evidence on immunostimulant mechanisms in fish.
- To highlight the role of omics technologies in developing species-specific functional feeds.
- To support sustainable aquaculture practices by reducing antibiotic use.
Main Methods:
- Review of molecular approaches: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and small RNA profiling.
- Synthesis of evidence on nutrient-, plant-, microbial-, and algae-based immunostimulants.
- Focus on how omics tools elucidate mechanisms of action.
Main Results:
- Molecular tools provide deeper mechanistic insights into dietary immunostimulant interactions.
- Omics data facilitate the design of targeted, species-specific immunostimulant diets.
- Evidence supports the efficacy of various immunostimulant sources.
Conclusions:
- Omics technologies are crucial for understanding and optimizing dietary immunostimulants.
- Development of species-tailored functional feeds enhances fish immunity and welfare.
- This approach reduces reliance on antibiotics, promoting sustainable aquaculture.
