Lantibiotics: an antimicrobial asset in combating aquaculture diseases

Emerging diseases in aquaculture are creating havoc on the industry's profitability and productivity due to climate stress and shifting conditions. It creates scarcity to meet the global food market's demand. Infections in aqua farms are unavoidable due to various factors that can cause sudden disease outbreaks among farmed species. Farmers all over the world are using antibiotics to combat the crisis, which leads to the development of resistance in susceptible pathogens. This review suggests the use of lantibiotics as an alternative antibiotic agent or natural antibiotic in aquaculture to treat and manage diseases. Till now, more than 60 lantibiotics have been discovered. The biosynthesis and mechanism of all the lantibiotics are similar except differences in their gene cluster. This review discusses the classification of lantibiotics, biosynthesis, mode of action, and potential of lantibiotics' battle against Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, various sources of lantibiotics including aquatic and non-aquatic environments and bioengineered lantibiotics with their increased potential against varieties of pathogens including antibiotic-resistant strains. Aquatic and non-aquatic lantibiotics had shown efficient activity against various infectious microbes causing disease in aquaculture organisms. This review provides knowledge on these lantibiotics, which is required to use them as an alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of aquaculture diseases.

Automated summary

Emerging diseases in aquaculture are affecting the industry's profitability and productivity, leading to a scarcity in meeting global food market demand. The use of antibiotics by farmers worldwide has resulted in development of antibiotic resistance in pathogens. This review suggests the use of lantibiotics as an alternative antibiotic agent in aquaculture.