Engineering the fish gut microbiome: could it serve as future-proof strategy for sustainable aquaculture?

As the global population rises the need for sustainable production of nutritious food intensifies. Recent estimates show that 70% more food needs to be produced to feed the projected human population of 9.1 billion by 2050. Aquaculture plays a critical role in meeting these demands through sustainable practices. The significance of the gut microbiome in maintaining the health of aquatic animals is increasingly recognized particularly within sustainable aquaculture. Modification of the gut microbiome is an emerging field that enhances the growth and health of fish and other aquatic species. Probiotics prebiotics and synbiotics are pivotal for gut microbiota modification. Additionally, biotechnological techniques such as fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) CRISPR-Cas bacteriophage-mediated methods and synthetic biology are advancing these efforts. Looking ahead the integration of current techniques with advanced engineering approaches is expected to create optimally modified gut microbiota for aquatic species. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive understanding of the basic composition of the intestinal microbiota and the available methods for modification. In this review, we mainly focus on the basic characteristics and significance of the gut microbiome in aquatic animal health while exploring mechanisms techniques and applications of microbiome engineering. Emerging trends challenges and limitations are also examined alongside ethical and safety considerations that are vital for progress in this field.