A Mini-Review: The Role of Chitosan in Aquaculture Fish Health Management

Sustainable fish farming activities are a hope for all cultivators. Suitable and stable environmental conditions are important factors for the sustainability of fish to grow, reproduce, avoid stress and disease. Providing a balanced diet is one of the environmental conditions that must be considered. Diets equipped with additives have been in great demand by researchers in the field of aquaculture, one of which is chitosan. Chitosan (β-(1-4)-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine) is a natural polymer derived from the exoskeleton of insects, crustaceans, and fungal cell walls, through the process of deacetylation of chitin base. The biological properties of chitosan include immunostimulant, antibacterial, wound healing, analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor and intestinal microbial control. In addition, chitosan is also a safe additive. Based on some of the biological properties of chitosan, it is possible to apply it in cultivation. Therefore, it is of great interest to researchers in the field of aquaculture. The purpose of this article is to inform the effect of chitosan on fish which includes antibacterial activity against several types of bacteria that attack fish, immunostimulant activity and growth in fish. Based on the results of research and tests from several researchers described above, chitosan has the potential to be used in the management of fish health, because it has antibacterial, immunostimulating effects, is safe to use for sustainable aquaculture because it does not have toxic effects and has a positive impact on the growth of various fish species, and can eliminate heavy metals in the fish body. Chitosan can be given through feed or injection. Chitosan can be applied effectively for the management of fish health, if the concentration used is appropriate, adjusted for the type of fish and the type of disease.