<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>The use of antibiotics for the control of infections has not only been banned by FDA for use in food-producing animals, but also several countries have prohibited their use in aquaculture because of several reasons such as the occurrence of antibiotic-tolerant microorganisms, accumulation of antibiotic residues in fish and shrimp flesh, and aquatic environmental effluence concerns. These issues have led researchers and aquaculture scientists to conduct several studies to find antibiotic alternatives. Numerous substitutes have been evaluated, such as probiotics, synbiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, phytogenics, essential oils, and several others. Results show that these supplements demonstrate proven efficacy in enhancing immune responses, reducing mortalities resulting from experimental infections, and reducing antibiotic usage in medicated aquafeed. Nonetheless, using antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to control fish diseases and as antibiotic alternatives is a promising and interesting research topic. AMPs are a vital class of small peptides that could stimulate the innate immune system against challenging pathogens and also possess significant potent defensive responses against a variety of infectious and noninfectious pathogenic agents, including bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses. Regarding their source origin, AMPs can be classified into six main types: mammalian-, amphibian-, insect-, aquatic-, plant-, and microorganism-derived AMPs. On account of their unique structure, they can display an essential function in therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases affecting fish and shrimp. Reports showed several kinds of AMPs had a wide spectrum of antimicrobial properties. These effects are besides their prominent immunostimulatory functions. Thus, they may be considered a functional alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture. This article provides information on the current knowledge about the modes of action, sources, classification, functions, and potential applications for the development of aquatic animal health. The information included in this context will be valuable to enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.</p>
</abstract>

The use of antibiotics for the control of infections has not only been banned by FDA for use in food-producing animals, but also several countries have prohibited their use in aquaculture because of several reasons such as the occurrence of antibiotic-tolerant microorganisms, accumulation of antibiotic residues in fish and shrimp flesh, and aquatic environmental effluence concerns. These issues have led researchers and aquaculture scientists to conduct several studies to find antibiotic alternatives. Numerous substitutes have been evaluated, such as probiotics, synbiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, phytogenics, essential oils, and several others. Results show that these supplements demonstrate proven efficacy in enhancing immune responses, reducing mortalities resulting from experimental infections, and reducing antibiotic usage in medicated aquafeed. Nonetheless, using antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to control fish diseases and as antibiotic alternatives is a promising and interesting research topic. AMPs are a vital class of small peptides that could stimulate the innate immune system against challenging pathogens and also possess significant potent defensive responses against a variety of infectious and noninfectious pathogenic agents, including bacteria, parasites, fungi, and viruses. Regarding their source origin, AMPs can be classified into six main types: mammalian-, amphibian-, insect-, aquatic-, plant-, and microorganism-derived AMPs. On account of their unique structure, they can display an essential function in therapeutic strategies against infectious diseases affecting fish and shrimp. Reports showed several kinds of AMPs had a wide spectrum of antimicrobial properties. These effects are besides their prominent immunostimulatory functions. Thus, they may be considered a functional alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture. This article provides information on the current knowledge about the modes of action, sources, classification, functions, and potential applications for the development of aquatic animal health. The information included in this context will be valuable to enhance the sustainability of aquaculture.

Applications of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative to antibiotic use in aquaculture – A mini-review

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agriculture

Physiology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Department of Poultry and Fish Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The use of antibiotics for the control of infections has not only been banned by FDA for use in food-producing animals, but also several countries have...

Applications of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative to antibiotic use in aquaculture – A mini-review

Published Online: Jul 26, 2023

Page range: 691 - 701

Received: Sep 07, 2022

Accepted: Dec 16, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0090

Keywords
antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, aquaculture, antibiotic resistance

© 2023 Mohammed A.E. Naiel et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Applications of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as an alternative to antibiotic use in aquaculture – A mini-review

Published Online: Jul 26, 2023

Page range: 691 - 701

Received: Sep 07, 2022

Accepted: Dec 16, 2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2022-0090

Keywordsantimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, aquaculture, antibiotic resistance

© 2023 Mohammed A.E. Naiel et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, aquaculture, antibiotic resistance