Proteomic Approaches in Fish Biology: Insights into Aquaculture, Stress Responses, and Disease: A Mini-Review

The aquaculture industry faces significant challenges in achieving sustainable fish production amid growing demand. Proteomics, a cutting-edge omics technology, is revolutionizing fish health research by delivering molecular insights into pathogen identification, immune responses, and adaptations to environmental stress. Advanced mass spectrometry-based methods, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), enable detailed characterization of any fish or aquatic product's proteome, accelerating the analysis of molecular mechanisms in complex aquatic environments. Over the past decade, omics technologies have gained traction in aquaculture, enhancing selective breeding programs through proteomic profiling of proteins linked to disease resistance, growth performance, and metabolic efficiency. This paves the way for precision aquaculture. A comprehensive review reveals that proteomics facilitates examination of key fish traits, identification of molecular markers for health and welfare, and promotion of sustainable development—ultimately ensuring the safety and quality of aquatic food products.