title: Probiotics as beneficial microbes in aquaculture: an update on their multiple modes of action: a review.
abstract: Wide and discriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in serious biological and ecological concerns, especially the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Probiotics, known as beneficial microbes, are being proposed as an effective and eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics. They were first applied in aquaculture species more than three decades ago, but considerable attention had been given only in the early 2000s. Probiotics are defined as live or dead, or even a component of the microorganisms that act under different modes of action in conferring beneficial effects to the host or to its environment. Several probiotics have been characterized and applied in fish and a number of them are of host origin. Unlike some disease control alternatives being adapted and proposed in aquaculture where actions are unilateral, the immense potential of probiotics lies on their multiple mechanisms in conferring benefits to the host fish and the rearing environment. The staggering number of probiotics papers in aquaculture highlights the multitude of advantages from these microorganisms and conspicuously position them in the dynamic search for health-promoting alternatives for cultured fish. This paper provides an update on the use of probiotics in finfish aquaculture, particularly focusing on their modes of action. It explores the contemporary understanding of their spatial and nutritional competitiveness, inhibitory metabolites, environmental modification capability, immunomodulatory potential and stress-alleviating mechanism. This timely update affirms the importance of probiotics in fostering sustainable approaches in aquaculture and provides avenues in furthering its research and development.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases , Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) , Tehran , I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Jalil
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zorriehzahra
authors.affiliation: b Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases , School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University , Shiraz , I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh Torabi
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Delshad
authors.affiliation: a Department of Aquatic Animal Health and Diseases , Iranian Fisheries Science Research Institute (IFSRI), Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO) , Tehran , I.R. Iran.
authors.forename: Milad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adel
authors.affiliation: c Department of Veterinary Microbiology , Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwa Vidyalaya Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU) , Mathura , India.
authors.forename: Ruchi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.affiliation: d Division of Bacteriology and Mycology , Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar , Bareilly , India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karthik
authors.affiliation: e Division of Pathology , Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar , Bareilly , India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhama
authors.affiliation: f Section for Aquaculture , National Institute of Aquatic Resources, Technical University of Denmark , Hirtshals , Denmark.
authors.forename: Carlo C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lazado
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*
keywords: Antibiotic resistance; aquaculture; fish and shellfish diseases; probiotics