Chitosan-Based Nanoformulations for The Delivery of Active Ingredients of Interest to Aquaculture.

By 2030, production and aquatic organisms are expected to increase by 13%, mainly due to the intensification and expansion of sustainable aquaculture production. This growth should preserve the health of aquatic ecosystems, prevent pollution, and protect biodiversity. Therefore, pressure is increasing to use more sustainable and innovative ingredients for aquaculture. Natural polymers have great potential for formulating controlled release systems in various biotechnological applications. Their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to encapsulate bioactive compounds make them ideal materials for developing nanoformulations in aquaculture. Among the most used polymers are alginate, pectin, gelatin, chitosan, and gum, each with specific properties that promote the stability and absorption of active ingredients in aquatic organisms. Chitosan, a polysaccharide derived from chitin, stands out for its versatility and benefits in aquaculture. Its biodegradable, antimicrobial, and bioadhesive nature allows its application in the form of nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, and hydrogels, improving the efficiency in the delivery of drugs, probiotics, and essential nutrients. In addition, its ability to control the release of bioactive compounds optimizes the absorption of these ingredients, reducing the amount required and minimizing the environmental impact. Among its most relevant applications in aquaculture is the encapsulation of antibiotics, antiparasitics and immunostimulants, which allows for more efficient and prolonged administration. It has also been used to formulate delivery systems for essential nutrients and antioxidants, improving the growth and resistance of aquatic organisms. Using chitosan-based nanoformulations represents a promising strategy to enhance the productivity and sustainability of aquaculture, reducing input waste and improving the health of fish and crustaceans. Its combination with other natural polymers and nanoencapsulation technologies offers new opportunities to optimize the bioavailability of compounds of interest in this sector. In this sense, this study aims to produce chitosan nanoparticles for the encapsulation of products of aquaculture interest. We prepared and characterized chitosan-gum nanoparticles by the ionic gelation method, with a hydrodynamic diameter of 304±12 nm, polydispersity index of 0.197±0.06 and zeta potential of 41±2 mV; presenting excellent characterization values, showing their potential use in aquaculture production. Acknowledgments: To the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP - 24/07275-0, 24/05067-0, 23/14102-1CEPID CBioClima #2021/10639-5) and the National Institute of Science and Technology in Nanotechnology for Sustainable Agriculture (MCTI-CNPq - INCTNanoAgro #405924/2022-4 and CAPES-MEC #88887.953443/2024-00).