Journal article
Meta-analysis of the use of seaweeds and their extracts as immunostimulants for fish: a systematic review
Reviews in Aquaculture, Vol.13(2), pp.907-933
2021
Abstract
Disease is an enduring threat to aquaculture, with direct costs from outbreaks of more than US$6 billion a year. Efforts to reduce antibiotic use in aquaculture have resulted in a recent shift towards the use of immunostimulants that boost fish immune systems. Seaweeds are a potential source of unique immunostimulants because of their diverse taxonomy (11,353 species) and diverse bioactives, but there has been no synthesis of their effects on fish. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 142 peer-reviewed studies was conducted to evaluate the effects of seaweed on the innate immunity, resistance (to stress and pathogens) and growth of farmed fish. Overall, our review indicated that dietary supplementation with seaweeds or their extracts had substantial positive impacts on the health and growth of fish compared with control groups and were comparable to currently utilised immunostimulants. Dramatic effects on survival of fish during challenge experiments were detected, with an average of 33% higher survival of fish fed diets that included seaweeds or their extracts. This study provides broad evidence for the benefits of supplementing fish feed with the reviewed seaweeds or their bioactive extracts, including potential synergistic effects of supplements. However, the meta-analysis also highlighted considerable variation among studies, and between fish and seaweed species, making it difficult to extrapolate results beyond individual experiments. Future studies should focus on developing synergistic combinations of ingredients and elucidating the mode of action through isolation of seaweed bioactives, together with standardisation of experimental conditions, to fast-track the benefits of seaweed supplements for aquaculture.
Details
- Title
- Meta-analysis of the use of seaweeds and their extracts as immunostimulants for fish: a systematic review
- Authors
- Valentin Thepot (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringAlexandra Campbell (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - LegacyMike Rimmer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and EngineeringNicholas Paul (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Publication details
- Reviews in Aquaculture, Vol.13(2), pp.907-933
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1111/raq.12504
- ISSN
- 1753-5131; 1753-5123
- Copyright note
- This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Thépot, V., Campbell, A.H., Rimmer, M.A. and Paul, N.A. (2021), Meta-analysis of the use of seaweeds and their extracts as immunostimulants for fish: a systematic review. Rev. Aquacult., 13: 907-933. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12504, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/raq.12504. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Biomedicine; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99482299202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Fisheries