Antioxidant Interventions in Aquatic Organism Health
Summary
Antioxidant interventions aim to restore redox balance in aquatic species by counteracting excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated under environmental stress, intensive dietary regimes or pathogen exposure. Oxidative stress can impair growth, immune function and tissue integrity in fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Dietary and waterborne additives—including mitochondrial cofactors (α-lipoic acid), polyphenolic extracts and thiol donors (e.g. N-acetylcysteine)—have been shown to upregulate endogenous defence enzymes, reduce lipid peroxidation and preserve cellular homeostasis. These compounds not only protect hepatic and muscular tissues from oxidative damage but also bolster resistance to bacterial and viral challenges. Translating these findings into commercial feeds and husbandry protocols promises to enhance animal welfare, improve production efficiency and reduce reliance on chemotherapeutics, thereby supporting sustainable aquaculture and ecosystem conservation on a global scale.
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Antioxidant Interventions in Aquatic Organism Health publication trend
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Technical terms
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen metabolism that can damage lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.
Superoxide dismutase (SOD): An enzyme converting superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide, the first line of defence against ROS.
Catalase (CAT): An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, preventing accumulation of harmful peroxides.
Glutathione peroxidase (GPx): A selenium-dependent enzyme that uses glutathione to reduce peroxides and limit oxidative stress.
Lipid peroxidation: The oxidative degradation of lipids, leading to membrane damage and loss of cellular function.
Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC): A composite measure of the overall ability of biological fluids or tissues to neutralise free radicals.
References
- Effects of α-Lipoic Acid Supplementation on Growth Performance, Liver Histology, Antioxidant and Related Genes Expression of Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂). Antioxidants (2024).
- Effect of Tea Polyphenols, α‐Lipoic Acid and Their Joint Use on the Antioxidant and Lipid Metabolism Performance of Hybrid Grouper (♀Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × ♂E. lanceolatu) Fed with High‐Lipid Diets. Aquaculture Nutrition (2023).
- Effect of a Commercial Polyphenol Compound on the Performance and Antioxidant Status of Penaeus vannamei. Fishes (2024).
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