BEYOND ANTIBIOTICS: PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS, AND SYMBIOTICS IN FRESHWATER AQUACULTURE – A REVIEW
Keywords:
Antibiotics alternative, Aquaculture, Probiotic, Prebiotic, SynbioticAbstract
Aquaculture remains the fastest-growing sector in global food production, providing a vital source of protein and supporting economic development. In Malaysia, freshwater aquaculture particularly the farming of Clarias gariepinus is central to food security, yet the intensification of production has heightened disease risks, feed inefficiencies, and vulnerability to bacterial pathogens such as Aeromonas hydrophila. Conventional use of antibiotics has proven unsustainable due to antimicrobial resistance and environmental concerns, driving the need for alternative management strategies. Functional feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, have emerged as eco-friendly approaches to enhance growth performance, feed utilization, immune competence, and pathogen resistance. The aim of this review is to critically evaluate recent progress (2015–2025) in the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in freshwater aquaculture, with a particular focus on catfish farming in Malaysia. It highlights their types, mechanisms of action, comparative effects on fish growth and immune modulation, and their role in disease resistance against A. hydrophila. By synthesizing current evidence, the review identifies both the opportunities and research gaps associated with these functional feed additives. The findings underscore their potential as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics, supporting healthier and more resilient aquaculture systems.
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