Antioxidant Defenses and Oxidative Stress Management in Aquaculture

Dear Colleagues, 

Aquaculture systems face unprecedented challenges from intensifying environmental stressors (e.g., eutrophication, hypoxia, high stocking density, temperature fluctuations, and poor water quality), which disrupt organismal redox homeostasis and induce oxidative stress in farmed species. The resultant pathophysiological states can impair cellular integrity, metabolic efficiency, and immunological competence, culminating in substantial production losses annually. While synthetic antioxidants have been widely used to mitigate these effects, concerns for their long-term sustainability and safety necessitate alternative strategies premised on natural, eco-friendly solutions.

In this context, antioxidant defenses—whether endogenous (e.g., enzymatic systems such as SOD and catalase) or exogenous (e.g., dietary antioxidants)—play a pivotal role in maintaining health and resilience in aquatic organisms. Recent advances highlight the potential of natural antioxidants (e.g., polyphenols, carotenoids, and microalgal extracts) to enhance oxidative stress management in aquaculture. However, gaps remain in understanding their optimal application, modes of action, and interactions with aquaculture practices.

This Special Issue will collate cutting-edge research on antioxidant defenses and oxidative stress mitigation in aquaculture systems. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Novel antioxidant sources (e.g., plant by-products, microbial metabolites, or functional feeds) for aquaculture applications;
• Cellular and organismal responses to oxidative stress and antioxidant interventions;
• Sustainable strategies to enhance antioxidant capacity in farmed species (e.g., nutritional programming, genetic selection, or water quality management);
• Biomarkers and tools for monitoring oxidative stress and antioxidant efficacy in aquaculture;
• Emerging methodological approaches for discovering or dissecting key cytoprotectant molecules and their biosynthetic pathways (multi-omics and machine learning assisted analysis)

We welcome original research and review articles addressing these themes. By combining fundamental insights with practical solutions, this Special Issue will advance sustainable aquaculture practices while improving animal welfare and productivity.

Dr. Yang Zhang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antioxidants is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• aquaculture
• antioxidant defenses
• oxidative stress
• aquatic organisms