Inorganic nanoparticles for use in aquaculture

Nanotechnology is a rising technology dealing with nanoparticle-based (1-100 nm) organic and inorganic materials. Such technology has a vital role in various industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, fuel and energy, electronics, and bioengineering, while having potential applications to human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Even though nanomaterial applications can cover multi-areas of biological and natural fields, limited information are available in the aquaculture sector. Nowadays, the aquaculture sector is the most imperative field to meet animal protein requirements for human nutrition, and aquaculture disease outbreaks as well as the aquatic environment pollutants are significant hindrances in producing healthy aquatic products. The current review aims to enlighten the direction of nanotechnology in the aquaculture industry while providing more specific information about inorganic forms of nanoparticles used to develop several types of applications such as antimicrobial, antibiofilm and photocatalytic agents, as well as aquatic animal nutrition in the domain of aquaculture. A large number of inorganic nanoparticles and their use as animal feed and for water treatment are extensively described. Their potential risks in aquaculture are also presented and discussed. The aquaculture nanotechnology applications are expected to contribute to fish health improvement, harmful microbes control, and aquatic products nano-delivery in the forthcoming years.