* By Harshit Singh, Shashank Singh, Arya Singh, Sumit Kumar and Anil Singh
Nanotechnology revolutionizes aquaculture by improving nutritional efficiency, advancing targeted disease prevention through nano vaccine delivery, and supporting real-time aquatic environment monitoring. These innovations promote both productivity and sustainability, but they also require robust risk assessments and regulatory oversight to address potential toxicity and environmental impacts. Future advancements in nanotechnology will be expected to AI-powered nano sensors and exacting diagnostic devices, enabling smarter automation and adaptive capacity in aquaculture operations.
Introduction
In recent years, aquaculture has attracted considerable attention across multiple disciplines due s significant contribution to improving access to nutritious food in developing countries and its potential to enhance food security amid the ongoing growth of the global population (Igwegbe et al., 2021). Although the expansion of aquaculture has led to certain environmental challenges, the sector holds significant promise for alleviating poverty and improving nutrition, particularly given that developing countries account for approximately 80% of global aquaculture production (Phillips et al., 2016).
Nanotechnology holds significant promise for advancing aquaculture systems by lowering costs, enhancing efficiency, and minimizing environmental impacts — factors that are increasingly crucial for sustaining the global population, which now exceeds seven billion. The success of these innovations is contingent upon their ability to meet standards of quality, cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and minimal risk to human health (Chena & Yadab, 2011).
The term “nanomaterial” is derived from the prefix “nano,” which comes from the Greek word for “dwarf.” Specifically, “nano” denotes a factor of 10-9, or one billionth of a meter. Nanomaterials typically refer to substances with dimensions ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers (nm) (Rai & Ingle, 2012). The term “nanotechnology” was first introduced by Professor Taniguchi at the 1974 conference of the Japanese Society of Precision Engineering. Nanotechnology refers to a scientific field focused on the synthesis, characterization, and application of devices, materials, and technical systems that operate at the nanoscale, specifically within the size range of 1 to 100 nm.
Nanotechnology represents a highly promising field that encompasses a wide range of scientific disciplines and technological applications.
Recent rapid progress in nanoscience and nanotechnology has created new opportunities across various industrial and consumer sectors, positioning these fields as catalysts for a new industrial revolution, particularly in agriculture and related industries. Among contemporary scientific advancements, nanotechnology is rapidly emerging as a foundational platform for the next generation of development and transformation within agri-food systems (Kuzma et al., 2006).
The global market for nanotechnology in the food sector has demonstrated substantial growth, though it has not reached the previously anticipated annual rate of over 24%. A 2024 market analysis estimated the value of the global food nanotechnology market at around USD 25.1 billion in 2024, with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5% from 2025 to 2033 (Sneha Mali, 2025).
Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising approach, creating opportunities for innovative solutions. It involves the development and application of materials at the nanoscale (1–100 nm), which possess distinctive properties that enable a wide range of novel applications (Matteucci et al., 2018). These novel materials are engineered to exhibit distinctive physical or chemical characteristics resulting from their nanoscale dimensions, shape, surface area, conductivity, or surface chemistry, and have found diverse applications in sectors such as textiles, electronics, engineering, and medicine (Smith et al., 2007).
Nanotechnology encompasses the study and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale — specifically within the range of approximately 1 to 100 nm — where unique phenomena, including enhanced physical, chemical, and biological properties, can facilitate innovative applications (Vyom et al., 2012).
Relative Size of Nanoparticles vs. Aquatic Organisms
Currently, there are numerous potential future applications for these technologies. Within the agri-food sector, research on nanomaterialbased delivery systems has explored the use of nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, biopolymers, emulsions, protein-carbohydrate complexes, dendrimers, and solid lipid nanoparticles, among others.
Nanoparticles, generally characterized as particles with dimensions ranging from 1 to 100 nm, are significantly smaller than aquatic organisms across all biological levels (Figure 1). For context, many engineered nanoparticles — such as silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) — typically exhibit mean diameters between 2 and 35 nm, whereas silver nanowires (AgNWs) possess diameters of approximately 57 nm and can extend several micrometers in length.
In comparison, aquatic viruses are generally about 300 nm in size, bacteria measure around 5,000 nm (0.5 to 5 µm), algae such as Raphidocelis subcapitata range from 2 to 10 µm (10,000 nm), and larger organisms like the crustacean Daphnia magna or fish embryos and larvae are on the scale of millimeters (1,000,000 nm or more) (Sohn et al., 2015).
Application of Nanotechnology in Aquaculture
Nanotechnology encompasses diverse applications in aquaculture, offering significant potential to transform the industry. Current uses include pathogen detection and control, water treatment, pond sterilization, and the efficient delivery of nutrients and drugs (Figure 2). Within the agri-food sector, research on nanomaterial-based delivery systems has utilized nanoparticles, micelles, liposomes, biopolymers, emulsions, carbohydrate complexes, dendrimers, and solid nano-lipid particles (Luis et al., 2019).
Applications of nanoparticles as fish medicine
Many types of Nanoparticles are used in fish medicine like as silver nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The key properties that confer advantages to these nanomaterials include enhanced absorption and bioavailability, improved dispersion and solubility, greater stability against environmental degradation during food processing, and the ability to provide controlled release kinetics (Ogunkalu, 2019).
Silver (Ag) nanoparticles
Silver nanoparticles are widely regarded as highly effective antibacterial agents within the context of fish culture. Their antibacterial properties stem from their capacity to disrupt or inhibit bacterial functions, a process largely mediated by the release of silver ions (Ag+) (Knetsch and Koole, 2011). These nanoparticles have proven effective against various pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Edwardsiella tarda, and cyanobacterial species such as Anabaena and Oscillatoria (Swain et al., 2014). Additionally, silver nanoparticles have demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against bacterial strains that exhibit resistance to multiple drugs (Prakash et al., 2015).
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles have demonstrated significant bactericidal activity, resulting in the elimination of bacterial cells. When used in conjunction with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, TiO₂ nanoparticles have been shown to be effective against bacterial species such as Streptococcus iniae, Edwardsiella tarda, and Photobacterium damselae (Cheng et al., 2009).
Gold nanoparticles
This progressive disruption eventually leads to the gradual demise of bacterial cells. Furthermore, gold (Au) nanoparticles have the ability to interact with tRNA within the ribosome, thereby enhancing chemical toxicity and contributing to bacterial cell death (Cui et al., 2012).
Multidisciplinary Applications of Nanotechnology in Aquaculture
In industrial applications, nano delivery systems encompass a range of advanced structures, including nano capsules, nanospheres, nanorobots, nano cochleates, nanomachines, and nanodevices, all designed to ensure precise and effective operational performance.
Water purification processes focus on eliminating toxicions, organic pollutants, microorganisms, their metabolic byproducts, and oil spills. The removal of organic contaminants from water is a significant challenge for many industries. Industrial effluents often contain substantial concentrations of organic hydrocarbons — such as benzene, toluene, methylbenzene, and xylene (collectively known as BTEX )— which must be removed prior to the discharge of wastewater into natural water bodies.
Drug delivery for health management
Oral nano-delivery systems incorporating nanoparticles have been utilized for various purposes, including improved regulation of drug release (Eldridge et al., 1990). Alginate, a naturally occurring polymer composed of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-Lguluronic acid (G), is derived from certain species of brown algae and bacteria (Shah & Mraz, 2019).
Nano delivery of nutraceuticals
The use of nano-encapsulated health supplements and nutraceuticals containing nano additives — such as vitamins, antimicrobials, antioxidants, flavorings, colorants, and preservatives — represents a rapidly developing area of research in aquaculture. These nano additives are employed for health management, value addition, and stress reduction in fish and shellfish. Additionally, they contribute to improved absorption and bioavailability of nutrients within the body, as demonstrated by nano forms of minerals like calcium and magn sium (Omosanya et al., 2021).
Nanobased fish vaccines
Nano vaccines have been employed either as immunostimulant adjuvants or as delivery systems for targeted antigen administration, facilitating sustained antigen release (Zhao et al., 2014). In aquaculture, fish vaccines have been formulated using chitosan nanoparticles, such as an inactivated vaccine against infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV), which incorporates DNA encoding the ISAV replicase as an adjuvant.
This approach achieved protection rates exceeding 77% against ISAV infection (Rivas Aravena et al., 2015). Additionally, both chitosan and chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles have been utilized to develop an oral DNA vaccine targeting Vibrio anguillarum in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) (Vimal et al., 2012).
Water quality treatment in aquaculture
Nano-sensors are capable of detecting pathogens and pollutants in aquatic environments, thereby promoting healthier conditions for aquatic organisms. Advanced nano biosensor systems are being developed to enable the identification of extremely low concentrations of parasites, bacteria, viruses, and various pollutants in water. Additionally, nanotechnology has been applied to address water pollution — one of the major challenges in aquaculture. The effectiveness of water treatment using nanomaterials is attributed to their high photocatalytic and adsorption capacities, offering efficient and cost-effective solutions for water purification (Chen et al., 2016).
Microbial disinfection
Ginger-derived nanoparticles have been shown to prevent infections caused by motile Aeromonas septicaemia in Asian carp fingerlings (Korni & Khalil, 2017). Various metal nanoparticles, including those composed of silver, titanium, and copper, have also been utilized for disease prevention and treatment. These metal nanoparticles exhibit multiple antibacterial mechanisms, with one of the most potent being their ability to disrupt bacterial cell membranes and cell walls through electrostatic interactions (Fajardo et al., 2022).
Delivery of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals
A fundamental principle supporting the use of nanoparticles to enhance fish growth is their capacity to increase nutrient absorption within the digestive tract. When micronutrients are delivered as nanoparticles in aquaculture feeds, they can more effectively penetrate cellular barriers, resulting in improved absorption rates. This method has proven to be more efficient than supplementation with organic Selen methionine.
For example, diets supplemented with nano-selenium have been shown to elevate muscle selenium levels, boost antioxidant capacity, and improve both the relative growth rate and final body weight in crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (Fajardo et al., 2022).
Tagging and Nano-Barcoding
Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology utilizes chips equipped with nanoscale radio circuits and embedded identification codes. These RFID tags are capable of storing extensive information, can be scanned remotely, and may be integrated into products for automatic identification of objects anywhere. In aquaculture, RFID tags can serve as tracking devices and can also be used to monitor fish metabolism, swimming patterns, and feeding behaviors.
Nano-barcodes, which are monitoring devices composed of metallic stripes embedded with nanoparticles, encode information through variations in their striping patterns. The use of nano-barcoding enables processing industries and exporters to trace the origin and track the delivery status of aquatic products throughout the supply chain until they reach the market. Additionally, when combined with nano sensors and synthetic DNA labelled with color-coded probes, nano-barcode devices can be employed to detect pathogens, monitor temperature fluctuations, and identify leaks, thereby enhancing overall product quality (Rather et al., 2011).
Merits and Demerits of Aquaculture
The application of nanotechnology in aquaculture markedly improves feed efficiency and nutrient uptake, resulting in enhanced growth and reproductive outcomes in fish. This advancement contributes to the overall sustainability and productivity of aquaculture operations. Incorporating nanoparticles such as selenium, zinc, and iron into fish diets has been demonstrated to strengthen antioxidant defenses and increase disease resistance in aquatic organisms.
However, some nanoparticles may not be biodegradable and could accumulate within fish tissues or the surrounding aquatic environment, raising concerns regarding potential toxicity and long-term ecological effects. The absence of comprehensive regulatory guidelines and standardized risk assessment protocols further complicates the safe implementation of these technologies, as the impacts of nanoparticles can differ significantly across species and developmental stages (Fajardo et al., 2022).
Conclusion
The incorporation of microelements in nanoparticle form into aquaculture feeds is revolutionizing the sector by providing notable benefits for the health and productivity of both shrimp and fish. Owing to their minute size and large surface area, nanoparticles significantly improve the absorption and bioavailability of vital nutrients, which in turn promotes higher growth rates, better feed utilization, and enhanced overall health in aquatic species. Notably, nanoparticles such as nano-selenium, nano-zinc, and nano-iron have been shown to strengthen antioxidant defenses, support muscle growth, and increase disease resistance in both fish and shrimp.
Future Prospective of Nanotechnology
Nanotechnology offers significant advances in aquaculture through targeted nanoparticle vaccines for disease control, enhanced feed efficiency with nano-formulated nutrients, and real-time water quality monitoring via nano sensors. These innovations can increase productivity, sustainability, and fish health while reducing antibiotic use and
environmental impact. However, safe application requires thorough risk assessment, regulation, and research to address potential toxicity and ecological concerns. Overall, nanotechnology is set to transform aquaculture into a more efficient and sustainable industry.
References and sources consulted by the author on the elaboration of this article are available under previous request to our editorial staff.
Harshit Singh, Shashank Singh* and Anil Singh Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries. Corresponding author*: drssaqua@gmail.com
Arya Singh Department of Aquatic Animal Health Management, College of Fisheries.
Sumit Kumar Department of Aquatic Environment Management, College of Fisheries.
Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Ayodhya-224229, (U.P.), India
