Review: Potential of using lactic acid bacteria as inoculant for seaweed silage towards sustainable aquaculture

Aquaculture is an essential sector in Malaysian fisheries and plays a significant role in the national economy. Organic pollution, opportunistic microorganisms in aquaculture farms, and international contamination of feed by mycotoxigenic fungi are serious issues. Lactic acid bacteria are a biological method for maintaining and restoring the normal physiological state and increasing productivity. However, research into the effects of inoculated seaweed silage with lactic acid bacteria inoculants is limited and has been conducted under various experimental conditions. The aim of this review is the potential of using lactic acid bacteria as an inoculant for seaweed silage for the development of sustainable aquaculture. According to the microbiological point of view, the results in this area are weak, and limited information is available. Due to its high nutritional content, seaweed silage is a promising feed ingredient and is gaining popularity as an alternative feed. Seaweeds contain valuable metabolites such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, carotenoids, phlorotannins, carrageenan, alginate pigments, agar, and minerals (manganese, iodine, calcium, iron, selenium, sodium, zinc) are natural antibiotic source in aquaculture feed. In conclusion, increasing the use of effective lactic acid bacteria as an inoculant in aquaculture feed can make the aquacultural sector more productive, safer, and friendly to human and environment then contributing to the long-term development of aquaculture.