Dietary Immunostimulants in Aquaculture
Summary
Dietary immunostimulants encompass a variety of feed additives—most prominently β-glucans, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics and phytogenics—designed to enhance the innate immune defences of farmed aquatic species. Their inclusion in feed formulations serves to bolster non-specific immune responses such as phagocytosis, complement activation and lysozyme secretion, while also modulating antioxidant capacity and inflammatory pathways. Immunostimulants interact with pattern recognition receptors on immune cells, triggering signalling cascades that can confer both immediate protection and longer-term ‘trained’ immunity. By favouring microbial homeostasis in the gut, these compounds improve nutrient utilisation and feed conversion, reduce reliance on antibiotics and mitigate disease outbreaks. Practical applications range from finfish and crustaceans to molluscs, with dosage, duration and mode of administration tailored to species, life stage and farming intensity. The strategic use of dietary immunostimulants underpins sustainable aquaculture development, contributing to food security and environmental stewardship through improved animal health and reduced chemical inputs.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have demonstrated that inclusion of reishi mushroom biomass as a β-glucan source in the diet of Labeo rohita significantly augmented key immunological parameters, including alternative complement activity, respiratory burst and reactive oxygen species production. Serum immunoglobulin levels and lysozyme activity were elevated, while haematological indices such as leukocyte counts improved. Challenged with Aeromonas veronii, fish receiving the supplemented diet exhibited higher survival rates and lower stress-related enzyme activities, indicating that dietary β-glucan can prime both immune readiness and physiological resilience without adverse effects on growth or metabolic biomarkers.
Dietary Immunostimulants in Aquaculture publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in dietary immunostimulants in aquaculture across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
β-glucan: Complex polysaccharide derived from yeast, fungi or algae that activates innate immune cells.
Innate immunity: The first line of defence in animals, comprising non-specific cellular and humoral responses.
Prebiotic: Non-digestible feed component that selectively promotes beneficial gut microorganisms.
Synbiotic: Combination of probiotics and prebiotics that act synergistically to enhance host health.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR): A measure of feed efficiency, calculated as feed intake divided by weight gain.
References
- Immuno-physiological effects of dietary reishi mushroom powder as a source of beta-glucan on Rohu, Labeo rohita challenged with Aeromonas veronii. Scientific Reports (2023).
- Role of β‐glucan on finfish and shellfish health and well‐being: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Reviews in Aquaculture (2024).
- Dietary supplementation of β-1, 3-glucan improves the intestinal health of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) by modulating intestinal microbiota and inhibiting inflammatory response. Frontiers in Immunology (2023).
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