Nano-Probiotics in Sustainable Aquaculture and Agriculture: Enhancing Productivity, Disease Management, and Environmental Safety

Aquaculture, as a rapidly growing global industry, faces significant challenges from disease epidemics, water quality deterioration, and antibiotic overuse that accelerates antimicrobial resistance. Contemporary agricultural systems are principally oriented toward high-yield cultivation of cereal grains and other food crops through sustainable practices to meet the nutritional requirements of an expanding worldwide population. Nevertheless, intensive farming methods, excessive application of agrochemicals, and additional environmental influences lead to reduced soil fertility, ecological contamination, disturbance of soil biodiversity, increased pest resistance, and diminished agricultural productivity. Beneficial microorganisms, particularly probiotics, have emerged as ecologically sound and sustainable alternatives. These probiotics activate immune responses, reduce pathogen concentrations, improve digestive processes, and contribute to enhanced water quality. Unlike the singular action of antibiotics, probiotics operate through multiple mechanisms including competitive exclusion, immunomodulation, and production of antimicrobial substances. Nanotechnology applications are pervasive in daily human activities and numerous industrial sectors. The continuous advancement of nanotechnology is substantially transforming food technology, with broad applications across diverse specialized areas. Sophisticated nanotechnology can address these limitations by improving probiotic effectiveness through nano-encapsulation techniques, controlled release mechanisms, and enhanced bioavailability. This comprehensive review investigates the collaborative potential of probiotics and cutting-edge nanotechnology in tackling challenges within aquaculture and agricultural sectors. It emphasizes significant advancements in probiotic formulations, nano-enabled delivery platforms, and their collective effects on growth enhancement, disease prevention, stress mitigation, and ecological sustainability. The integration of probiotic technology with nanotechnology constitutes an innovative and transformative strategy for advancing sustainable practices in both aquaculture and agriculture.