Advances in Understanding Micro‐ and Nanoplastic Toxicity on Farmed Fish and Emerging Nutritional Interventions
ABSTRACT Micro‐ and nanoplastics (MNPs), encompassing microplastics (MPs, diameters < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, diameters < 100 nm), threaten the health of farmed fish and the safety of aquatic products through contaminated water and feed. Nutritional modulation is recognized as a critical strategy to enhance fish resilience against environmental stressors, but targeted MNPs toxicity interventions are nascent. This review analyzed the distribution features of MNPs in aquatic environments and fish, and elucidated toxicity mechanisms—including reduced feed utilization, physical abrasion, oxidative stress, inflammation, and gut microbiota disruption. It also highlighted nutritional strategies to mitigate MNPs toxicity: macronutrient (protein and energy) optimization balances metabolism, micronutrient (vitamins, selenium, and zinc) fortification enhances antioxidant defenses, and functional additives (e.g., probiotics, astaxanthin, microalgae, etc.) reduce MNPs absorption, oxidative damage, and inflammation. Future research should focus on precision nutrition, toxicological mechanisms and repair, microecology modulation, and nano‐biotechnology solutions. This review aids in understanding the MNPs' impact on farmed fish, especially in developing effective nutritional mitigation interventions for sustainable aquaculture.
Authors
- Xiaodong Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6530-1475)
- Jianjun Wang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7039-7136)
- Quansen Xie
- Dizhi Xie
- Fang Chen
Institutions
- South China Agricultural University (CN)
- Handan College (CN)
- Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Science (CN)
- Guangxi Academy of Sciences (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Reviews in Aquaculture
- Published
- 2026-01-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.70128
- Primary Topic
- Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00