Prebiotic effects of dietary xylooligosaccharides on fish gut microbiota, growth, and immunological parameters – a review

Xylooligosaccharides (XOSs) are increasingly being explored as prebiotics in fish diets; however, theire effects and modes of action have not been well evaluated. Reports have shown  that dietary XOS has the potential to improve the proliferation of beneficial gut microbes, and their metabolites, and enhance disease rsistance in several fish species.  In contrast, sutdies report no substantial changes in immune and growth parameters compared to control groups.  Like all prebiotics, the mode of action of XOS in based on their selective stimulation  of beneficial gut microbiota., which will outcompete and prevent pathogen proliferation in the gut, and produce metabolites that modulate host immune response. The reports of improved growth performance of XOS fed  fish may be due to improved intestinal microbiome, enhance glycolysis activity and elevated gastrointestinal enzymztic activities.  Dieatar XOSs have different effects on fish performance depending on the fish species and the structure of XOSs (degree of XOS polymerization and substitution). Nevertheless, further research is essential to determine the optimal dosage, degree of polymerization, and substitution levels required to improve each fish species' gut health and growrh performance.  The review highlights the prebiotic effects of XOSs, their mechanism of action, and knowledge gaps.