Polisacáridos de algas como ingredientes funcionales en acuicultura marina: Alginato, carragenato y ulvano

Abstract

Excessive use of antibiotics can select antibiotic-resistant organisms leading to a potential risk for public health. For this reason, aquaculture industry is looking for alternatives to the use of these compounds. Recent studies suggest that the use of functional ingredients in marine aquaculture, such as some seaweed polysaccharides, can be associated with the improvement of the immune system of aquaculture organisms reducing the risk of infection and therefore, the use of antibiotics. Seaweeds are rich in polysaccharides which have been associated with many beneficial effects such as an immunostimulant and prebiotic activity. It is because of these effects that seaweed polysaccharides could be regarded as promising functional compounds and a good alternative to the use of antibiotics. The aim of this review was to perform an overview of 3 algal polysaccharides: alginate, carrageenan and ulvan, which are able to improve the health of cultured organisms in marine aquaculture, and to compile the most important current studies that have demonstrated different effects of these compounds when they are added to fish diets in marine aquaculture.