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Aquaculture production is projected to surpass wild-capture fisheries as the primary source of aquatic animal protein in the near future. Farmed shrimp—which are amongst the most valuable aquaculture commodities—are raised predominantly in Southeast Asia and Latin America in a variety of production systems, spanning from extensive to intensive farming. Shrimp aquaculture has been widely criticized for causing mangrove forest degradation and loss, leading to calls for more sustainable aquaculture approaches that protect mangroves. Here we examine an approach promoted as more sustainable—integrated mangrove aquaculture (IMA): a type of farming where mangroves are planted in or alongside shrimp ponds. We argue that mangroves within IMA shrimp systems provide biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services that are, at best, compromised, especially when compared to intact mangrove forests. Given the rapid adoption of IMA approaches, including advocacy for uptake from many governments and non-governmental organizations, there is an urgent need to ensure that these and other aquaculture systems do not result in any conversion of intact mangrove ecosystems into aquaculture ponds, and to identify any benefits (or lack thereof) provided by IMA systems. The increasing adoption of IMA may offer false promises for managing trade-offs between increasing aquaculture productivity and mangrove forest conservation.

This study investigated the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tracts (GT) and tissues of four common shrimps (including two wild-caught shrimps and two farmed shrimps) collected from a high-diversity lagoon in central Vietnam. The numbers of MP items in greasy-back shrimp (Metapenaeus ensis), green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus), white-leg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), and giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), determined per weight and individual, were 0.7 ± 0.3, 0.6 ± 0.2, 1.1 ± 0.4, and 0.5 ± 0.3 (items/g-ww), and 2.5 ± 0.5, 2.3 ± 0.7, 8.6 ± 3.5, 7.7 ± 3.5 (items/individual), respectively. The concentration of microplastics in the GT samples was significantly higher than that in the tissue samples (p < 0.05). The number of microplastics in the farmed shrimp (white-leg shrimp and black tiger shrimp) was statistically significantly higher than the number of microplastics in the wild-caught shrimp (greasy-back and green tiger shrimps) (p <0.05). Fibers and fragments were the dominant shapes of the MPs, followed by pellets, and these accounted for 42–69%, 22–57%, and 0–27% of the total microplastics, respectively. The chemical compositions determined using FTIR confirmed six polymers, in which rayon was the most abundant polymer, accounting for 61.9% of the MPs found, followed by polyamide (10.5%), PET (6.7%), polyethylene (5.7%), polyacrylic (5.8%), and polystyrene (3.8%). As the first investigation on the MPs in shrimps from Cau Hai Lagoon, central Vietnam, this study provides useful information on the occurrences and characteristics of the microplastics in the gastrointestinal tracts and tissues of four shrimp species that live in different living conditions.

The presence of pathogenic bacteria is a problem that might be present in farmed shrimp due to exposure in the environment or post‐harvest handling. Retail farmed shrimp in Bangladesh (Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii) were tested for common pathogenic bacteria namely Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, Vibrio spp., and E. coli. None of these bacteria were found and instead Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia fergusonii, Proteus penneri, Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii, and Aeromonas dhakensis were detected. Pathogenic bacteria found in Bangladeshi shrimp may be due to the farm environment, poor handling during harvest or post‐harvest, or unhygienic market conditions. The results indicate that retail shrimp from Bangladesh have food safety concerns. Proper laws and policies need to be enforced and implemented to ensure food safety related to fish and shrimp. Pathogenic bacteria Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia fergusonii, Proteus penneri, Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterococcus faecalis, Serratia marcescens, Citrobacter freundii, and Aeromonas dhakensis were found in Bangladeshi farmed shrimp (Penaeus monodon and Macrobrachium rosenbergii) collected from retail fish market. The incidence of pathogenic bacteria in retail Bangladeshi shrimp may be due to the farm environment, poor handling during harvest or post‐harvest, or unhygienic market conditions. The results indicate that retail shrimp from Bangladesh have food safety concerns.

Shrimps, primarily Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei , from organic and conventional farms and free-living stocks were purchased from the German market over 1 year. This study examined the applicability of established analytical methods for the confirmation of the correct labelling of shrimp products. After species identification of 77 shrimp products, the proximate composition, carotenoid pattern, fatty acid profile and stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in the lipids and/or the defatted dry matter (DDM) were determined. To differentiate between the three types of production (wild, organically farmed or conventionally farmed), parameters alone or in combination, partly derived by multivariate tests, were considered. Stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry allowed the differentiation between organically and conventionally farmed Litopenaeus vannamei using the combination of ∆δ 13 C and δ 15 N DDM values. The gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids also distinguished between organically and conventionally farmed shrimp of this species. The ratio of the free astaxanthin configurational isomers in shrimp flesh, analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), was inadequate for any assignment, because of the apparent ability to alter the structure of the ingested carotenoids. Thus, a general differentiation of the three production types, irrespective of individual species, could not be achieved by any single method.

Astaxanthin is the main natural C40 carotenoid used worldwide in the aquaculture industry. It normally occurs in red yeast Phaffia rhodozyma and green alga Haematococcus pluvialis and a variety of aquatic sea creatures, such as trout, salmon, and shrimp. Numerous biological functions reported its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities since astaxanthin possesses the highest oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and is considered to be over 500 more times effective than vitamin E and other carotenoids such as lutein and lycopene. Thus, synthetic and natural sources of astaxanthin have a commanding influence on industry trends, causing a wave in the world nutraceutical market of the encapsulated product. In vitro and in vivo studies have associated astaxanthin’s unique molecular features with various health benefits, including immunomodulatory, photoprotective, and antioxidant properties, providing its chemotherapeutic potential for improving stress tolerance, disease resistance, growth performance, survival, and improved egg quality in farmed fish and crustaceans without exhibiting any cytotoxic effects. Moreover, the most evident effect is the pigmentation merit, where astaxanthin is supplemented in formulated diets to ameliorate the variegation of aquatic species and eventually product quality. Hence, carotenoid astaxanthin could be used as a curative supplement for farmed fish, since it is regarded as an ecologically friendly functional feed additive in the aquaculture industry. In this review, the currently available scientific literature regarding the most significant benefits of astaxanthin is discussed, with a particular focus on potential mechanisms of action responsible for its biological activities.HighlightsBeneficial use of astaxanthin as a feed supplement in cultured aquatic species.Screening of astaxanthin in pigmentation, growth and immunity enhancement, inflammatory response, and disease resistance of aquatic species.Astaxanthin prevents several diseases associated with oxidative stress in aquatic animals.

Viral infection of farmed fish and shellfish represents a major issue within the aquaculture industry. One potential control strategy involves RNA interference of viral gene expression through the oral delivery of specific double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). In previous work, we have shown that recombinant dsRNA can be produced in the chloroplast of the edible microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and used to control disease in shrimp. Here, we report a significant improvement in antiviral dsRNA production and its use to protect shrimp against white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). A new strategy for dsRNA synthesis was developed that uses two convergent copies of the endogenous rrnS promoter to drive high-level transcription of both strands of the WSSV gene element in the chloroplast. Quantitative RT-PCR indicated that ~119 ng dsRNA was produced per liter of culture of the transgenic microalga. This represents an ~10-fold increase in dsRNA relative to our previous report. The engineered alga was assessed for its ability to prevent WSSV infection when fed to shrimp larvae prior to a challenge with the virus. The survival of shrimp given feed supplemented with dried alga containing the dsRNA was significantly enhanced (~69% survival) relative to a negative control (<10% survival). The findings suggest that this new dsRNA production platform could be employed as a low-cost, low-tech control method for aquaculture.

Aquaculture is growing post-haste in recent years particularly in the fish and shrimp production. The rapid growth of aquaculture and increasing demand for fish have led to a rapid development of the fish and shrimp industry, resulting in increased production of both fish and shrimps. As a result, there is a greater risk of disease outbreaks. Mass mortalities in aquaculture are primarily due to infectious diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Among them, viral diseases are the most devastating, causing huge loss in the production of both cultured fish and shellfishes. There are several effective methods of treatment for these disease outbreaks. This review focuses on various methods of controlling the viral pathogens using various treatment methods like use of medicinal plants and seaweed extracts, bioactive compounds from actinomycetes, vaccines, probiotic microbes, chemicals, nanoparticles, and green synthesis of nanoparticles.

Biofloc technology involves the manipulation of the culture system’s carbon: nitrogen ratio to promote bacterial community growth to convert toxic nitrogenous wastes and organics into functional microbial protein; this protein can then be used as a food source and mediate water quality. Biofloc systems have several advantages, which include improved biosecurity, feed conversion, water use efficiency, and nutrient processing. Analyzing the nutritional value and the relationship between high production of aquacultural practices using biofloc is essential. Many studies have demonstrated that biofloc increases the growth of aquatic species by acting as a food source or providing bioactive compounds. Other than this, the beneficial micro-organisms in biofloc systems contain compounds such as organic acids that could resist the growth of pathogenic microbes. They will also serve as a natural probiotic and increase the immunity and survival of fish and shrimp. This technology could be useful for further integration within many aspects of aquaculture production when microbial interactions are considered. However, future studies must fully understand the principles and mechanisms behind the benefits of interactions between biofloc and cultured fish and crustacean species.

Algae are natural products with great potential as aquafeed ingredients, being rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds. They can improve fish health while being sustainable at social, economic, and environmental levels, contributing to the one health concept. In this study, two micro- (Nannochloropsis oceanica and Chlorella vulgaris) and two macroalgae (Gracilaria gracilis and Ulva rigida), produced under commercial conditions, were selected to unravel their nutritional value (protein and lipid content; fatty acid and amino acid profiles), as well as antimicrobial activity against farmed fish and shrimp pathogenic bacteria and bioactive potential by assessing ABTS+• and DPPH• scavenging capacities. A commercial blend of these algae (ALGAESSENCE™—Feed) was included to determine possible synergistic effects. Nannochloropsis oceanica was rich in eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid (ARA) and G. gracilis had high content of ARA. Chlorella vulgaris had the highest levels of essential amino acids (EAAs), namely lysine. The blend is a well-balanced and rich source of proteins, lipids, essential fatty acids, EAAs and carbohydrates. The single algae and the blend displayed bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities against most of the tested pathogenic bacteria, with the most promising results being observed against Tenacibaculum maritimum (40–45% activity). In some cases, the micro- and macroalgae had no simultaneous bactericidal and bacteriostatic activities, but the blend was able to both kill and inhibit the growth of those bacteria. The algae had also some antioxidant activity, with G. gracilis and the blend presenting the highest values. The present results showcased the blend as a promising ingredient to be included in aquafeeds.

Aquaculture is an important food sector throughout the globe because of its importance in ensuring the availability of nutritious and safe food for human beings. In recent years, this sector has been challenged with several obstacles especially the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks. Various treatment and control aspects, including antibiotics, antiseptics, and other anti-microbial agents, have been used to treat farmed fish and shrimp against diseases. Nonetheless, these medications have been prohibited and banned in many countries because of the development of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial strains, the accumulation of residues in the flesh of farmed fish and shrimp, and their environmental threats to aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, scientists and researchers have concentrated their research on finding natural and safe products to control disease outbreaks. From these natural products, bovine lactoferrin can be utilized as a functional feed supplement. Bovine lactoferrin is a multi-functional glycoprotein applied in various industries, like food preservation, and numerous medications, due to its non-toxic and ecological features. Recent research has proposed multiple advantages and benefits of using bovine lactoferrin in aquaculture. Reports showed its potential ability to enhance growth, reduce mortalities, regulate iron metabolism, decrease disease outbreaks, stimulate the antioxidant defense system, and recuperate the overall health conditions of the treated fish and shrimp. Besides, bovine lactoferrin can be considered as a safe antibiotic alternative and a unique therapeutic agent to decrease the negative impacts of infectious diseases. These features can be attributed to its well-known antibacterial, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antioxidant capabilities. This literature review will highlight the implications of bovine lactoferrin in aquaculture, particularly highlighting its therapeutic features and ability to promote immunological defensive pathways in fish. The information included in this article would be valuable for further research studies to improve aquaculture’s sustainability and the functionality of aquafeeds.