Role and applications of plant essential oils in aquaculture
- 1Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
- 2Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
Abstract
Aquaculture has a fundamental role in supporting global food security. In response to the escalating human requirement for protein, the production of aquatic species is expanding rapidly. Conversely, aquatic animals are frequently subjected to a variety of husbandry stress, including handling and high stocking densities. They trigger physiological stress responses negatively affecting biological processes, such as somatic growth, reproduction, and immune function, ultimately resulting in inferior performance and high mortality rates. Although antibiotics are still extensively employed, their persistent administration is associated with the emergence of bacterial resistance, destabilizes endogenous microbiota, and causes chemical residues accumulation within aquatic environments. Therefore, the industry has shifted towards eco-friendly therapeutic strategies. In this context, plant essential oils have emerged as promising feed additives. The EOs contain a rich array of bioactive compounds, possessing anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and immuno-stimulatory activities. The administration of EOs has been evaluated in a wide range of aquatic species to characterize their therapeutic potential and establish optimal inclusion levels. Research findings indicate that plant EOs represent effective substitutes for antibiotics, playing prominent roles in growth promotion, oxidative stress mitigation, and immune modulation. The present context reviews the beneficial roles of essential oils in modern aquaculture.
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BibTeX
@article{mahmoudikiya2026role,
title = {{Role and applications of plant essential oils in aquaculture}},
author = {Zahra Mahmoudikiya and Reza Roshandel and Ahmad Imani and Kourosh Sarvi Moghanlou and Saeid Meshkini},
journal = {Veterinary Research Forum},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.30466/vrf.2026.2087275.5076},
url = {https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2026.2087275.5076},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Role and applications of plant essential oils in aquaculture
AU - Zahra Mahmoudikiya
AU - Reza Roshandel
AU - Ahmad Imani
AU - Kourosh Sarvi Moghanlou
AU - Saeid Meshkini
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/15
JO - Veterinary Research Forum
DO - 10.30466/vrf.2026.2087275.5076
UR - https://doi.org/10.30466/vrf.2026.2087275.5076
AB - Aquaculture has a fundamental role in supporting global food security. In response to the escalating human requirement for protein, the production of aquatic species is expanding rapidly. Conversely, aquatic animals are frequently subjected to a variety of husbandry stress, including handling and high stocking densities. They trigger physiological stress responses negatively affecting biological processes, such as somatic growth, reproduction, and immune function, ultimately resulting in inferior performance and high mortality rates. Although antibiotics are still extensively employed, their persistent administration is associated with the emergence of bacterial resistance, destabilizes endogenous microbiota, and causes chemical residues accumulation within aquatic environments. Therefore, the industry has shifted towards eco-friendly therapeutic strategies. In this context, plant essential oils have emerged as promising feed additives. The EOs contain a rich array of bioactive compounds, possessing anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and immuno-stimulatory activities. The administration of EOs has been evaluated in a wide range of aquatic species to characterize their therapeutic potential and establish optimal inclusion levels. Research findings indicate that plant EOs represent effective substitutes for antibiotics, playing prominent roles in growth promotion, oxidative stress mitigation, and immune modulation. The present context reviews the beneficial roles of essential oils in modern aquaculture.
SN - 2008-8140
SN - 2322-3618
ER -