Researchers conducted a systematic review to understand what existing science says about using probiotics and prebiotics as alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture, which is the farming of fish and shellfish. They analyzed over 1,400 research articles, reviews, and book chapters. The review found that most of the published literature reports positive effects, suggesting these feed additives may help improve the animals' immune responses, resistance to disease, growth, and ability to handle environmental stress.
The study did not involve new experiments on animals. Instead, it mapped out what has already been published by scientists around the world, noting that India, China, and the United States were the top publishing countries. The keywords 'probiotics,' 'prebiotics,' and 'aquaculture' were most common in this research field.
It is important to be careful with these results. This was a review paper that summarized other studies; it did not generate new data on how well these alternatives work compared to antibiotics or on their safety. The authors did not report any safety concerns or adverse events, but that information was not the focus of this particular analysis. For farmers, this review highlights a growing area of research that could lead to helpful strategies, but more specific studies are needed to guide actual farming practices.