The application and potential of postbiotics as sustainable feed additives in aquaculture

Postbiotics, as a novel class of non-viable probiotic feed additives, have emerged as a promising candidate for enhancing the quality and efficiency of aquaculture. Postbiotics, derived from probiotic microorganisms, encompass inactivated probiotic cells, bacterial cell components, and microbial metabolites, thus potentially providing health benefits to aquatic animals. This review provides an overview of recent advances in postbiotic research, including their preparation methods, bioactive components, and biological activities. The discussion also highlights the potential of postbiotic products as feed additives for improving growth performance, immune responses, gut health, and disease resistance in aquatic animals. While postbiotics show great promise, challenges remain in fully understanding their mechanisms of action and determining optimal supplementation levels. Therefore, further research is needed to develop more diversified postbiotic formulations and explore synergistic combinations with other feed additives. The continued R&D and application of postbiotics will provide valuable support for the sustainable development of aquaculture, contributing to improved farming efficiency and reduced disease incidence.