Enhancing aquaculture using nanotechnology: a review

Abstract

The advent of nanotechnology is a laudable discovery, and to a large extent, it has potentials to solve many nagging problems in aquaculture industry. For instance, the challenge of recurring resistance of bacteria to antibiotics, and the myriad of different antibiotics in the market coupled with their toxic effect on fish and water is a serious concern. Nanotechnology provides new tools (Nanomaterials) which can find applications in various aspect of aquaculture with little or no risk of toxicity. These include: Nanosensors, DNA nanovaccines, nanogene delivery, smart drug delivery, nanobarcoding, fish growth enhancement using nanoselenite, nanodelivery of nutraceuticals, nanofilteration, nanopolymers, nanocoating, nanofeed to improve buoyancy and availability of feed during feeding, and nanonet treatment and so on. These products are readily available in the market. They can also be synthesized for application in the areas highlighted above. This paper presents a review on nanotechnology and its application to enhance various aspects of aquaculture with a view to finding effective management strategy to solve hydra-headed challenges bedevilling aquaculture industry by maximizing the full potential of nanomaterials