Feed additives in aquaculture -A review

Aquaculture stands as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, playing a significant role in bolstering overall production. To ensure sustainable growth in aquaculture, it’s crucial to use additives in appropriate quantities. Feed additives, edible substances added in small amounts to fish feeds, aim to enhance growth performance and reduce fish mortality rates. These additives are valued for their specific medicinal properties and environmentally friendly metabolism within the digestive system. Probiotics, immune stimulants, enzymes, hormones, organic acids, essential oils, and food colourants, among others, are recognized as effective functional feed additives for optimizing fish performance and increasing aquaculture profitability. There’s an urgent call for research into novel feed additives that can lower feed costs, improve digestibility, and mitigate the residual effects of antibiotics on fish muscle. This review explores the roles and significance of various feed additives in ensuring high-quality aquaculture production.