The Functionality of Probiotics in Aquaculture: Application; Mechanisms, Current Sta-tus, and Future Prospects - A comprehensive review

Despite being the fastest-growing food production sector, aquaculture faces significant challenges, including shortages and limitations of protein sources for feed, susceptibility to infections, and quality deterioration during growth and storage. Beneficial microbial species can protect aquatic organisms from diseases and prevent product deterioration, while bacterial biomass represents a promising alternative protein source for animal feed. Probiotics are widely acknowledged as powerful microorganisms that significantly impact gut health by positively modulating the gut microbiome and, consequently, immune system and disease outcome in humans and animals. This review focuses on nutritional, anti-pathogenic, and immunoregulatory functions of probiotics in aquaculture. Additionally, the connection between host immunity, gut microbiota, beneficial bacteria, their components and specific metabolites – as well as their immunomodulatory activity and innovative applications – are considered and described.