Prebiotic effects of dietary xylooligosaccharides on fish gut microbiota, growth, and immunological parameters – a review

Abstract Xylooligosaccharides (XOSs) are increasingly being explored as prebiotics in fish diets; however, their effects and modes of action have not been well evaluated. Reports shown that dietary XOS has the potential to improve proliferation beneficial gut microbes, metabolites, enhance disease resistance several species. In contrast, other studies report no substantial changes immune growth parameters compared control groups. Like all prebiotics, mode is based on selective stimulation microbiota, which will outcompete prevent pathogen gut, produce metabolites modulate host responses. The reports improved performance fed may be due intestinal microbiome, enhanced glycolysis activity elevated gastrointestinal enzymatic activities. Dietary XOSs different depending species structure (degree polymerization substitution). Nevertheless, further research essential determine optimal dosage, degree polymerization, substitution levels required each species' health performance. This review highlights prebiotic XOSs, mechanism action, knowledge gaps.