Article (Scientific journals)
Feed Additives in Aquaculture: Benefits, Risks, and the Need for Robust Regulatory Frameworks
Okon, Ekemini; Iyobhebhe, Matthew; Olatunji, Paul Oluwatimileyin et al.
2025In Fishes, 10 (9), p. 471
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Keywords :
aquaculture; feed additives; fish health; fish nutrition; immune response; shrimp nutrition; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Ecology; Aquatic Science
Abstract :
[en] Aquaculture currently supplies over half of the world’s fish and relies heavily on feed additives to enhance growth, improve feed efficiency, and increase disease resistance. This review consolidates peer-reviewed studies identified through targeted searches of Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on aquaculture feed additives. It emphasizes the principal classes of additives employed in finfish and shrimp cultivation, such as natural immunostimulants (including beta-glucans and nucleotides), probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, phytogenics, enzymes, and synthetic nutrients. For each, it summarizes their mechanisms of action, commonly reported inclusion rates, production outcomes, environmental risks, and regulatory statuses. Evidence indicates that immunostimulants enhance innate defences (including phagocyte activity and cytokine responses). Probiotics and prebiotics, on the other hand, regulate gut microbiota and barrier function. Phytogenics offer antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, and synthetic additives provide targeted nutrients or functional compounds that support growth and product quality. Where data are available, typical application ranges include probiotics in the order of 104–109 CFU per gram, prebiotics at approximately 2–10 g per kilogram, and pigments or antioxidants (such as astaxanthin) at 50–100 mg per kilogram. Significant gaps exist, notably the absence of species-specific dose–response data for tropical and subtropical aquaculture species, as well as limited experimental evidence regarding additive–additive interactions under commercial rearing conditions. Additional gaps include long-term ecological fate, regional regulatory discrepancies, and species-specific dose–response relationships. It is recommended that mechanistic studies employing omics approaches, standardised dose–response trials, and harmonized risk assessments be conducted to promote the sustainable and evidence-based application of feed additives.
Disciplines :
Aquatic sciences & oceanology
Food science
Author, co-author :
Okon, Ekemini ;  Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium ; Department of Agriculture, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
Iyobhebhe, Matthew ;  Department of Biochemistry, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
Olatunji, Paul Oluwatimileyin  ;  Freshwater and Oceanic Sciences Unit of Research, University of Liege, Liège, Belgium
Adeleke, Mary;  Department of Agriculture, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
Matekwe, Nelson;  Department of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reform, Veterinary Services, Kimberley, South Africa
Okocha, Reuben ;  Department of Agriculture, Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Nigeria
Language :
English
Title :
Feed Additives in Aquaculture: Benefits, Risks, and the Need for Robust Regulatory Frameworks
Publication date :
2025
Journal title :
Fishes
eISSN :
2410-3888
Publisher :
MDPI
Volume :
10
Issue :
9
Pages :
471
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Available on ORBi :
since 21 October 2025

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