Mannan Oligosaccharide Applications in Aquaculture Health

Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) have emerged as versatile functional feed additives in aquaculture, delivering a range of benefits across finfish and crustacean species. Derived from the cell walls of yeast, these non-digestible carbohydrates modulate host–microbe interactions by promoting beneficial microbial consortia and inhibiting pathogen adhesion. Dietary MOS supplementation has been linked to improved growth performance, enhanced antioxidant capacity, reinforced barrier integrity and heightened disease resistance. Mechanistically, MOS activate cytoprotective pathways—most notably those governed by nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2)—to reduce oxidative stress at key mucosal surfaces. Their ability to shape microbial communities, strengthen epithelial tight junctions and fine-tune immune responses underscores the global significance of MOS as sustainable health-promoting agents in modern aquaculture.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have demonstrated the capacity of MOS to reshape host microbiota and improve productivity in crustaceans. One seminal trial showed that inclusion of 0.5% MOS in the diet of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp over a 60-day period increased survival by 30% under intensive cultivation conditions. High-throughput sequencing revealed a shift towards Actinobacteria and Lactococcus while suppressing Vibrio and other opportunistic taxa, suggesting that MOS may hinder pathogen adhesion and modulate microbial communities to favour host health outcomes.

Mannan Oligosaccharide Applications in Aquaculture Health publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mannan oligosaccharide applications in aquaculture health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Mannan oligosaccharide (MOS): A polymer of mannose sugars derived from yeast cell walls that functions as a prebiotic to modulate host–microbe interactions and immunity.

Gut microbiota: The community of microorganisms residing in the gastro-intestinal tract that influences digestion, nutrient absorption and immune homeostasis.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2): A transcription factor that regulates the expression of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective genes in response to oxidative stress.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Chemically reactive molecules containing oxygen that can damage cellular components but also serve as signalling mediators at controlled levels.

Tight junction: A protein assembly between adjacent epithelial cells that seals intercellular spaces and regulates paracellular permeability.

References

1. Effect of mannan oligosaccharides on the microbiota and productivity parameters of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp under intensive cultivation in Ecuador. Scientific Reports (2020).
2. Mannan oligosaccharides alleviate oxidative injury in the head kidney and spleen in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) via the Nrf2 signaling pathway after Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2023).
3. Comparative Expression Profiling Reveals the Regulatory Effects of Dietary Mannan Oligosaccharides on the Intestinal Immune Response of Juvenile Megalobrama amblycephala against Aeromonas hydrophila Infection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
4. Mannan Oligosaccharides Application: Multipath Restriction From Aeromonas hydrophila Infection in the Skin Barrier of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Frontiers in Immunology (2021).