The rapid expansion and intensification of aquaculture have been accompanied by various intestinal disease outbreaks and a drastic increase in mortality. The intestinal dysfunction induced by oxidative stress, inflammation and/or microbial dysbiosis is one of the most common diseases observed in aquaculture farming, especially when fish meal and oil were replaced by plant source raw material in large quantities. The emergence of intestinal dysfunction could further lead to inefficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, and even further become one important cause of diseases. Except for digestion and absorption functions, the intestine also serves as the largest immunity organ and performs as the first barrier of defense between the organism and pathogens. Therefore, finding alternative strategies and therapeutic interventions to prevent intestinal dysfunction is very important for the health of aquatic animals.Functional feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, immunostimulants, organic acids, nucleotides, plant extracts, and medicinal herbs, were widely used in aquaculture industry due to their benefits on the growth and health of aquatic animals. Apart from boosting aquafeeds and safeguarding general health of aquatic animals, some of feed additives have been documented to possess beneficial immunostimulant, anti-stress and anti-inflammatory relieving properties, and ability of modulating intestinal microbiota homeostasis, whereas the underlying mechanism of improving intestinal health remains unclear. A better understanding of the relationship between feed additives and intestinal health in aquatic animals would be crucial to achieve responsible and sustainable aquaculture.The scope of this Research Topic is to focus on the effects of functional feed additives on intestinal health of aquatic animals by studying their benefits on intestinal physiological state and underlying mechanisms. The Topic also aims to contribute to a better understanding of the application of functional feed additives in aquaculture farming, thus providing a base of knowledge for both experts and consumers in the aquaculture.We welcome the Original Research, Review, and Mini-review focused on the relationships between functional feed additives and intestinal health in aquatic animals. The contents covered in this collection may include but are not limited to the following:• Feed additives and intestinal immunity• Anti-inflammatory mechanism• Antioxidant stress regulation• The relationship between feed additives and nutrient metabolism • The modulating of intestinal microbiome by feed additives
The rapid expansion and intensification of aquaculture have been accompanied by various intestinal disease outbreaks and a drastic increase in mortality. The intestinal dysfunction induced by oxidative stress, inflammation and/or microbial dysbiosis is one of the most common diseases observed in aquaculture farming, especially when fish meal and oil were replaced by plant source raw material in large quantities. The emergence of intestinal dysfunction could further lead to inefficient digestion and absorption of nutrients, and even further become one important cause of diseases. Except for digestion and absorption functions, the intestine also serves as the largest immunity organ and performs as the first barrier of defense between the organism and pathogens. Therefore, finding alternative strategies and therapeutic interventions to prevent intestinal dysfunction is very important for the health of aquatic animals.Functional feed additives, including probiotics, prebiotics, immunostimulants, organic acids, nucleotides, plant extracts, and medicinal herbs, were widely used in aquaculture industry due to their benefits on the growth and health of aquatic animals. Apart from boosting aquafeeds and safeguarding general health of aquatic animals, some of feed additives have been documented to possess beneficial immunostimulant, anti-stress and anti-inflammatory relieving properties, and ability of modulating intestinal microbiota homeostasis, whereas the underlying mechanism of improving intestinal health remains unclear. A better understanding of the relationship between feed additives and intestinal health in aquatic animals would be crucial to achieve responsible and sustainable aquaculture.The scope of this Research Topic is to focus on the effects of functional feed additives on intestinal health of aquatic animals by studying their benefits on intestinal physiological state and underlying mechanisms. The Topic also aims to contribute to a better understanding of the application of functional feed additives in aquaculture farming, thus providing a base of knowledge for both experts and consumers in the aquaculture.We welcome the Original Research, Review, and Mini-review focused on the relationships between functional feed additives and intestinal health in aquatic animals. The contents covered in this collection may include but are not limited to the following:• Feed additives and intestinal immunity• Anti-inflammatory mechanism• Antioxidant stress regulation• The relationship between feed additives and nutrient metabolism • The modulating of intestinal microbiome by feed additives