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Review
. 2022 Oct;29(46):69241-69274.
doi: 10.1007/s11356-022-22319-y. Epub 2022 Aug 15.

Antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and aquatic organisms: a review of current nanotechnology applications for sustainable management

Emmanuel Sunday Okeke  1   2   3   4 , Kingsley Ikechukwu Chukwudozie  4   5   6 , Raphael Nyaruaba  4   7 , Richard Ekeng Ita  4   8 , Abiodun Oladipo  4   9 , Onome Ejeromedoghene  4   10 , Edidiong Okokon Atakpa  4   11   12 , Chidozie Victor Agu  13 , Charles Obinwanne Okoye  14   15   16   17
Affiliations
Review

Antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and aquatic organisms: a review of current nanotechnology applications for sustainable management

Emmanuel Sunday Okeke et al. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Aquaculture has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing food industries in recent years, helping food security and boosting global economic status. The indiscriminate disposal of untreated or improperly managed waste and effluents from different sources including production plants, food processing sectors, and healthcare sectors release various contaminants such as bioactive compounds and unmetabolized antibiotics, and antibiotic-resistant organisms into the environment. These emerging contaminants (ECs), especially antibiotics, have the potential to pollute the environment, particularly the aquatic ecosystem due to their widespread use in aquaculture, leading to various toxicological effects on aquatic organisms as well as long-term persistence in the environment. However, various forms of nanotechnology-based technologies are now being explored to assist other remediation technologies to boost productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. In this review, we critically highlighted several ecofriendly nanotechnological methods including nanodrug and vaccine delivery, nanoformulations, and nanosensor for their antimicrobial effects in aquaculture and aquatic organisms, potential public health risks associated with nanoparticles, and their mitigation measures for sustainable management.

Keywords: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Aquaculture; Aquatic organisms; Nanotechnology; Sustainable management.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Antimicrobial resistance in aquatic organisms and possible fate. A Selective pressure may enhance the genetic transfer of ARGs. B Transfer of ARGs in various microbial communities including biofilms. C Uptake of ARGs by floating aquatic plants. D Presence of ARGs in aquatic environments from varying sources. The ARGs can be picked up by various organisms and transferred from one organism to another by various mechanisms including food chains, selective pressure, and genetic material transfer by microbial communities. E Possible fate of ARGs. Humans and animals may get exposed to RGs from infected fish or water
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Action of metal nanoparticles against pathogenic bacteria
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Application of nanotechnology in combating antimicrobial and antibiotic resistance in aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Beneficial action of probiotics to aquatic animals/ecosystems
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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