Mushrooms, Seaweed, and Their Derivatives as Functional Feed Additives for Aquaculture: An Updated View

Abstract

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. This chapter provides comprehensive insight into the application of seaweed, mushrooms, and their derivatives as potential prebiotics, with a special focus on their immunomodulatory and growth-enhancing effects. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are among the most studied additives to animal feed, and they demonstrate promising immunomodulatory effects. Mushrooms and seaweed have been evaluated as sources of natural bioactive compounds for centuries. These feed additives have recently received an increasing amount of attention as potential natural prebiotics in aquaculture. They are a rich source of important biological nutrients, such as selenium, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, vitamin D, and various proteins. They also contain many bioactive compounds that possess antibacterial, antioxidant, and antiinflammatory properties, as well as anticoagulant, antiviral, and apoptotic activities. Previous studies on seaweed and mushrooms revealed their promising effects on growth performance, feed utilization, immune response, and disease resistance in a number of fish and shellfish species. The chapter begins with a brief description of important mushroom and seaweed compounds and their functions, with a special focus on their bioactive components. It then presents the findings of relevant clinical studies, as well as selected research on aquatic animals. Finally, it continues with perceived gaps in current research and some issues that warrant further investigation.