Sustainable Approaches in Aquaculture: Pharmacological and Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics

Aquaculture, a vital component of global food production, faces challenges such as antimicrobial residues and resistance due to the extensive use of antibiotics. This review explores sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture. Vaccines play a critical role in disease prevention, significantly reducing antibiotic reliance. Phage therapy targets specific bacterial pathogens, offering an environmentally friendly solution, while quorum quenching disrupts bacterial communication, reducing virulence without promoting resistance. Probiotics and prebiotics enhance gut health and disease resistance, with synbiotics showing synergistic effects. Emerging technologies such as parabiotics and postbiotics, along with advances in metagenomics and next-generation sequencing, improve our understanding of microbiomes, leading to more effective disease control strategies. Medicinal plants provide cost-effective, natural antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties, while nanoparticles degrade antibiotics, reducing pollution. A multifaceted approach that integrates these methods can mitigate antimicrobial resistance risks, ensuring the sustainability of aquaculture. Tailoring strategies to specific environmental conditions, species, and pathogens is crucial, emphasizing the need for continuous development and adaptation to maintain the long-term viability of the aquaculture industry.