V. Cristea, Alina Antache, Iulia Grecu, Angela Docan, Lorena Dediu, Mirela (Creţu) Mocanu
Abstract
The purpose of this paper was to summarize and evaluate current knowledge of phytobiotics use and action in fish culture, and their potential to be applied further in aquaculture production, because, in recent years, the fish consumption increased and total world production of fish has decreased. The main cause of the decrease fish production is the occurrence of diseases caused by different pathogens. The need for enhanced disease resistance, feed efficiency, and growth performance of cultured organisms is substantial for various sectors of this industry. It is preferable that, in the case of commercial aquaculture, the costs production to be reduced. Because the cost of antibiotics used for prevention and treatment of disease, and hormones used for growth performance is high, and from the desire to search for new options, several studies have been carried out to test new compounds, from which the aquaculture industry has developed the concept of "functional additives". This category includes also phytobiotics. Thus, it was proved that their use in fish diet led to improvement of the innate immune system for infection with various bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila in particular) in different species of fish. In conclusion are needed further studies to find out the effective use of various phytobiotics with special reference to the timing, dosage, and method of administration.
