Bioactive peptides: Mechanisms, applications and prospects for Fish health management

Abstract

Disease outbreaks remain a major challenge to sustainable aquaculture, necessitating alternatives to antibiotics and chemotherapeutics. Bioactive peptides, derived from natural sources, have emerged as promising immunomodulatory compounds capable of enhancing fish immunity and disease resistance. These peptides exhibit multiple biological activities, including immunostimulatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. By strengthening innate and adaptive immune responses and directly inhibiting pathogens, bioactive peptides contribute to improved fish health and survival. This review summarizes current knowledge on the sources, production, immunomodulatory mechanisms, and applications of bioactive peptides in aquaculture, while highlighting future prospects and research gaps. Overall, bioactive peptides hold significant potential as
sustainable tools for fish health management in modern aquaculture.