Bacteriophage encapsulation - Trends and potential applications in aquaculture

Bacterial infections pose significant threats to farmed aquatic animals, with diseases such as Motile Aeromonas Septicaemia (MAS), Streptococcosis, Edwardsiellosis, and Vibriosis being particularly concerning. In response, bacteriophage therapy has emerged as a promising solution to combat these infections. However, the susceptibility of bacteriophages to harsh environmental conditions necessitates encapsulation strategies to ensure their efficacy. Encapsulation protects bacteriophages and facilitates their targeted delivery. Alginate capsules, Whey Protein Isolate (WPI), and PolyD,L lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) are among the type of polymers used in these strategies. Current research is focused on evaluating the efficacy of these encapsulation methods against bacterial infections in aquaculture settings. Challenges include the costs of encapsulation, bacteriophage isolation, and safety concerns such as the potential transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes, altered gut microbiota alteration, and immune system activation. Future trends in bacteriophage encapsulation application include the utilization of phage cocktails, endolysins, and short peptides, aiming to enhance therapeutic outcomes and combat antibiotic resistance in aquaculture. Overall, bacteriophage encapsulation holds promise as a viable strategy for the effective management of bacterial infections in farmed aquatic animals.