Encapsulation for delivering bioactives in aquaculture

Abstract

The exploitation of wild fisheries has driven the seafood industry to develop more sustainable resources and high-intensity aquaculture. However, high-density aquaculture is prone to outbreaks of diseases. The use of chemicals and antimicrobial drugs in aquaculture is common practice, but such chemicals can have serious detrimental environmental impacts and antibiotics may result in bacterial resistance in many species. The development of non-antibiotic and green strategies, such as using probiotics and immunostimulants, aims for a more sustainable practice for health maintenance in aquaculture. Although the efficacy of such strategies has been demonstrated in cultivations settings, the effective delivery of bioactives remains a challenge. Conventional delivery methods are often ineffective in terms of dosage, stability and species specificity, and can possibly cause widespread environmental contamination. However, recently developed drug delivery systems may provide innovative ways to improve delivery with minimal waste and improved environmental protection. Indeed, such cutting-edge drug delivery systems have already provided measurable benefits in human medicine over the past two decades. New technologies, such as encapsulation and controlled release systems, can be used readily in scaled-up operations to improve the delivery of bioactives and ultimately increase production and profitability in aquaculture. This review critically analyses the use of encapsulation technology with a focus on microparticles for delivery of bioactive agents to farmed aquatic animals. This review discusses various potential encapsulation materials, their properties and a range of methods that can be applied and scaled-up for aquaculture. Finally, practical considerations for designing an efficient delivery system for aquaculture are discussed.

Diet, Immunity, and Microbiota Interactions: An Integrative Analysis of the Intestine Transcriptional Response and Microbiota Modulation in Gilthead Seabream (Sparus aurata) Fed an Essential Oils-Based Functional Diet

“…When dealing with feed additives, especially EOs, their proper and controlled administration is of special importance. Thus, encapsulation technology was used for EOs incorporation into the experimental diet in order to improve its bioavailability and efficacy, as well as the standardization of its dosing in order to avoid variability and discrepancies among studies (10).…”

Effect of commercial probiotic on the population dynamics of selected rotifers ( Brachionus angularis , Plationus patulus ) and cladocerans ( Moina cf. macrocopa and Simocephalus mixtus )

“…Zooplankton is often used as a carrier for several items directly to the target species gut (Masoomi‐Dezfooli, Gutierrez‐Maddox, Alfaro, & Seyfoddin, 2019). Bio‐encapsulation is a successful way to apply probiotics to species cultured during their larval stage; this allows realizing the probiotic to reach directly to the gut of the target species (e.g.…”

Phytogenic Bioactive Compounds Shape Fish Mucosal Immunity

“…Hence, to overcome this limitation and minimize potential losses, controlled releasing techniques, such as encapsulation or other coating technologies, can be used to improve the proper delivery of phytogenics. This technology allows a prolonged absorption and local availability of the bioactive compounds along the gastrointestinal tract, ultimately increasing their beneficial impact upon the host (158,159). Moreover, encapsulation protects phytogenics from environmental degradation, such as from light, temperature and/or pH variations, and eventually playing an important role in their palatability, masking the potential pungency associated to some compounds that otherwise can affect feed intake (158).…”