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Recent Knowledge in the Application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in Aquaculture: A Bibliometric and Narrative Review

Summary

This comprehensive review examines how baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is being used as a probiotic supplement in fish farming and aquaculture. The research shows that adding this yeast to fish feed improves growth rates, helps fish fight off diseases, and creates healthier gut bacteria in aquatic animals. Scientists worldwide are increasingly studying this natural alternative to antibiotics, with studies demonstrating benefits across various fish species including tilapia, trout, and catfish, making it an important tool for sustainable and healthier aquaculture practices.

Background

Aquaculture is a key food production sector responsible for meeting nutritional needs of a growing global population. Disease outbreaks in aquaculture result in significant economic losses, and the use of costly antibiotics for treatment negatively impacts the aquatic environment. Probiotics, particularly the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, have emerged as a promising non-antibiotic approach to manage disease and improve fish performance.

Objective

This study conducted a systematic bibliometric and narrative review of the Web of Science database (2015-2025) to identify trends, research gaps, and the distribution of global literature on Saccharomyces cerevisiae in aquaculture. The review aimed to provide comprehensive insights into SC as an important aquaculture probiotic and emphasize the need for further research to understand its benefits and mechanisms of action.

Results

China led with 84 publications (18.02%), followed by Egypt (10.30%) and Brazil (7.08%). Core journals identified were Aquaculture, Aquaculture Research, and Fish & Shellfish Immunology. SC demonstrated wide-ranging benefits including improved growth performance, enhanced feed efficiency, increased gut microbiome diversity, and strengthened immune responses. Recent studies (2024-2025) confirmed SC’s effectiveness in enhancing growth parameters, disease resistance, gut integrity, and synbiotic effects when combined with other probiotics.

Conclusion

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has emerged as a key functional probiotic in aquaculture with proven benefits for growth performance, feed efficiency, disease resistance, and gut health across multiple fish and crustacean species. The implementation of SC is becoming an established trend in aquaculture practices, with sustained research focus on its application as a natural alternative to antibiotics. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and optimize SC application under various environmental conditions in aquaculture systems.
  • Published in:Antibiotics (Basel),
  • Study Type:Bibliometric and Narrative Review,
  • Source: PMID: 40867931, DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14080736
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