Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of prebiotics

In December 2016, a panel of experts in microbiology, nutrition and clinical research was convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics to review the definition and scope of prebiotics. Consistent with the original embodiment of prebiotics, but aware of the latest scientific and clinical developments, the panel updated the definition of a prebiotic: a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. This definition expands the concept of prebiotics to possibly include non-carbohydrate substances, applications to body sites other than the gastrointestinal tract, and diverse categories other than food. The requirement for selective microbiota-mediated mechanisms was retained. Beneficial health effects must be documented for a substance to be considered a prebiotic. The consensus definition applies also to prebiotics for use by animals, in which microbiota-focused strategies to maintain health and prevent disease is as relevant as for humans. Ultimately, the goal of this Consensus Statement is to engender appropriate use of the term ‘prebiotic’ by relevant stakeholders so that consistency and clarity can be achieved in research reports, product marketing and regulatory oversight of the category. To this end, we have reviewed several aspects of prebiotic science including its development, health benefits and legislation

Prebiotic effects of dietary xylooligosaccharides on fish gut microbiota, growth, and immunological parameters – a review

Abstract Xylooligosaccharides (XOSs) are increasingly being explored as prebiotics in fish diets; however, their effects and modes of action have not been well evaluated. Reports have shown that dietary XOS has the potential to improve the proliferation of beneficial gut microbes, and their metabolites, and enhance disease resistance in several fish species. In contrast, other studies report no substantial changes in immune and growth parameters compared to control groups. Like all prebiotics, the mode of action of XOS is based on their selective stimulation of beneficial gut microbiota, which will outcompete and prevent pathogen proliferation in the gut, and produce metabolites that modulate host immune responses. The reports of improved growth performance of XOS fed fish may be due improved intestinal microbiome, enhanced glycolysis activity and elevated gastrointestinal enzymatic activities. Dietary XOSs have different effects on fish performance depending on the fish species and the structure of XOSs (degree of XOS polymerization and substitution). Nevertheless, further research is essential to determine the optimal dosage, degree of polymerization, and substitution levels required to improve each fish species' gut health and growth performance. This review highlights the prebiotic effects of XOSs, their mechanism of action, and knowledge gaps.</jats:p

Probiotics, lactic acid bacteria and bacilli: interesting supplementation for aquaculture

Probiotics administration in aquafeed is known to increase feed consumption and absorption due to their capacity to release a wide range of digestive enzymes and nutrients which can participate in digestion process and feed utilization, along with the absorption of diet components led to an increase in host’s health and well‐being. Furthermore, probiotics improve gut maturation, prevention of intestinal disorders, predigestion of antinutrient factors found in the feed ingredients, gut microbiota, disease resistance against pathogens and metabolism. The beneficial immune effects of probiotics are well established in finfish. However, in comparison, similar studies are less abundant in the shellfish. In this review, the discussions will mainly focus on studies reported the last 2 years. In recent studies, native probiotic bacteria were isolated and fed back to their hosts. Although beneficial effects were demonstrated, some studies showed adverse effects when treated with a high concentration. This adverse effect may be due to the imbalance of the gut microbiota caused by the replenished commensal probiotics. Probiotics revealed greatest effect on the shrimp digestive system particularly in the larval and early post‐larval stages, and stimulate the production of endogenous enzymes in shrimp and contribute with improved the enzyme activities in the gut, as well as disease resistance

Advances in Aquaculture Vaccines Against Fish Pathogens: Global Status and Current Trends.

In recent years, aquaculture has attained a major economic revolution, however, infectious diseases of bacterial, viral, mycotic and parasitic origin are the most significant restrictive agents in the improvement of intensified aquaculture, which has become a fast blooming seafood industry. For environment-friendly aquaculture and human health concerns owing to the rise in incidences of antimicrobial resistant microbes and food safety hazards, the immunoprophylaxis or vaccination strategies are highly effective and economical in protecting the health of fish and aquaculture animals from various infectious agents. Advancements in science have paved newer avenues in both basic and applied research areas for developing and designing novel and effective vaccines, as well as improving existing vaccines for rendering protection from various types of infectious diseases. Current advances in vaccines and vaccinology offer valuable opportunities to discover new vaccine candidates to combat fish pathogens, including mycotic and parasitic agents, for which vaccines are still lacking. This review focuses on the current knowledge, recent advances and future perspectives of vaccines and vaccination in the aquaculture industry, from traditional inactivated and attenuated vaccines to new generation vaccines comprising of recombinant, subunit, vectored, genetically engineered, DNA and peptide vaccines, reverse vaccinology and plant-based edible vaccines, and nanovaccines.Maryam Dadar and Kuldeep Dhama would like to thank the research affairs section of Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute and Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources for their support of the research projects. Vikram N. Vakharia and Sunil K. Joshi thank their respective institutes/organizations