Application of Probiotics for Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Aquaculture: A Review

Abstract

Aquaculture plays an important role in food production for the world population and at the same time for the livelihood of the most needed globally. The concerns about sustainability and ecological health are growing in this extremely diversified sector just like in the whole agriculture industry. The use of probiotics in aquaculture already has a long history and has served from the beginning the goals of more sustainable production; however, the expansion of intensive systems along with global climate change produces new challenges. The present work aims to provide an overview of the most relevant literature. Firstly, the microbiome of aquatic animals and its functioning is surveyed followed by the aims and methods of probiotic application. The screening and testing of novel probiotics are also assessed as well as the scientific and technical novelties in probiotics research. The mainstream development in probiotic research aims to serve the sustainability of aquaculture in all respects including traditional animal health, feed efficiency, and environmental issues. New state-of-the-art techniques may lead to a future paradigm change in aquaculture under the aegis of the Blue Revolution.