Title
A critical review of chitosan impact in aquaculture
Authors
IOANA RADUCEA MARIN and LIVIU MIRON

Received In memory of Acad. Bogdan C. Simionescu
Published Volume 59 Issue 7-8 July-August
Keywords chitosan, aquaculture, antibacterial, antiviral

Abstract
Chitosan, a naturally derived cationic polysaccharide, has seen steadily increasing use across a wide range of applications, including biomedicine, environmental protection, food industry, agriculture and aquaculture. This versatility is largely attributed to its intrinsic properties, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and bioactivity, encompassing antimicrobial, antioxidant and mucoadhesive effects. In aquaculture, chitosan has been explored both for enhancing fish growth and for improving the aquatic environment, aiming to create cleaner and healthier conditions for fish culture. Although chitosan has been extensively studied in various fields, its application in aquaculture remains relatively nascent. In this context, the present review systematically examines the literature on chitosan’s impact in aquaculture, focusing on its effects on fish growth, wound healing, rescue of nervous system, antimicrobial and antiviral activities and its role in wastewater quality management.