Polysaccharides in Aquatic Disease Management

Aquaculture is the major food producing sector of agriculture in the world. However, infectious disease is a major impediment to the development of aquaculture and is often the most significant cause of economic loss [1]. Majority of the diseases affecting the fish and shell fishes are infectious, caused by several viruses, bacteria and parasitic invasions. Traditional strategies to control diseases in aquaculture include the use of antibiotics and chemical disinfectants; but they are no longer recommended due to the emergence of resistant strains of the pathogens and accumulation of residues in the environment and non-target organisms. Although vaccination is an effective means of disease prevention in fish, it could be expensive, time-consuming and stressful to the fish [2].