Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 208-217 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 212 reliance on chemical pesticides (Rueda-Ramírez et al., 2022). The use of biocontrol agents, such as Streptomyces spp., can also be integrated into IPM programs to manage fungal and bacterial phytopathogens while promoting plant growth (Vurukonda et al., 2018). The effectiveness of biocontrol agents in IPM can be enhanced through the manipulation of environmental conditions, formulation improvements, and the integration with other pest management strategies. By incorporating microbial predators into IPM, it is possible to achieve sustainable pest control and improve overall agricultural productivity. 5 Potential Applications in Aquaculture and Animal Health 5.1 Control of aquatic pathogens Aquaculture, a rapidly growing sector, faces significant challenges due to the prevalence of aquatic microbial diseases, which can severely impact production performance. Traditional methods, such as the use of antibiotics, have led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, necessitating alternative approaches for disease control (Cabello et al., 2016). One promising strategy involves the use of probiotics, which are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host. Probiotics have been shown to improve the growth, survival, and health status of aquatic livestock by protecting them from pathogens and enhancing their immune responses (Figure 2) (Tan et al., 2016; Hossain et al., 2017). For instance, the genus Streptomyces has been identified as a potential probiotic candidate in aquaculture, capable of protecting fish and shrimp from pathogens and promoting their growth. Microalgal biotechnology also offers potential solutions for disease control in aquaculture. Microalgae can serve as nutritional supplements due to their high content of proteins, lipids, and essential nutrients. Some microalgal species possess natural antimicrobial compounds or biomolecules that act as immunostimulants, further enhancing the health of aquatic animals. Emerging genetic engineering technologies in microalgae could lead to the development of functional feed additives containing specific bioactives, such as fish growth hormones and antibacterials, which could significantly improve disease resistance in aquaculture (Charoonnart et al., 2018). Synbiotic agents, which combine probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics, have also been explored as natural alternatives to synthetic drugs and antibiotics in aquaculture. These agents help maintain a healthy microbial environment, modulate gut microbiota, reinforce immune responses, and improve growth performance in aquatic animals (Srirengaraj et al., 2023). By promoting a balanced and healthy microbiome, synbiotics can effectively reduce the incidence of disease outbreaks and enhance the overall sustainability of aquaculture practices. 5.2 Application in Livestock Disease Prevention In livestock production, the overuse of antibiotics has similarly led to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing a significant threat to animal and human health. Probiotics have been proposed as an alternative antimicrobial strategy to mitigate this issue. By reducing zoonotic pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, probiotics can prevent the transmission of these pathogens through food, thereby enhancing food safety and animal health. The use of bacteriophages, which are natural predators of bacteria, represents another innovative approach for controlling bacterial pathogens in livestock. Bacteriophages are harmless to humans and animals and can specifically target and eliminate pathogenic bacteria without affecting beneficial microbes. This specificity makes them a promising tool for enhancing microbial safety in food production and preventing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (Cabello et al., 2016; Endersen and Coffey, 2020). Furthermore, the integration of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics into livestock feed can improve gut health, boost immune responses, and enhance overall animal performance. These functional feed additives offer a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional antibiotics, contributing to the prevention of livestock diseases and the promotion of animal welfare (Hossain et al., 2017).
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