This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the inclusion of β-glucan in aquaculture animal diets and its impact on their health outcomes. Relevant studies were identified from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A total of 82 primary studies published between 1996 and 2024 were reviewed, of which 70 were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that the application of β-glucan to aquaculture animal's diets significantly enhanced specific growth rate (SGR; mean effect, g = 2.71; p < 0.001), feed conversion ratio (FCR; g = −3.88; p < 0.0001) and lowered mortality after exposure to pathogens. Likewise, β-glucan had a positive influence (p < 0.0001) on innate immune parameters (lysozyme and phagocyte activity, NBT, ACH50, and IgM). The study found that the effects of β-glucans varied among marine and freshwater fish where freshwater fishes (g = 2.05–6.57) exhibit better performance. This study also found a negative correlation between fish's innate immune response and trophic level, suggesting that fish with higher trophic levels may be less efficient at absorbing this bio-stimulant. Even though there were high heterogeneity (I² = 73%–97%, p < 0.05) due to the diversity of tested organisms and publication bias, our model and findings are valid. The findings suggest that the dietary application of β-glucans can have beneficial effects on growth and immune responses especially for freshwater species. The validity of these observations needs to be confirmed by further prospective studies.

中文翻译：

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β-葡聚糖对鱼类和贝类健康和福祉的作用：系统评价和荟萃分析


本研究旨在进行系统评价和荟萃分析，评估水产养殖动物饲料中添加β-葡聚糖及其对健康结果的影响。相关研究来自 Scopus 和 Web of Science 数据库。共回顾了 1996 年至 2024 年间发表的 82 项初步研究，其中 70 项纳入荟萃分析。结果表明，在水产动物日粮中添加β-葡聚糖可显着提高特定生长率（SGR；平均效应， g = 2.71； p < 0.001）、饲料转化率（FCR； g = -3.88； p < 0.0001） ）并降低接触病原体后的死亡率。同样，β-葡聚糖对先天免疫参数（溶菌酶和吞噬细胞活性、NBT、ACH50 和 IgM）具有积极影响 ( p < 0.0001)。研究发现，β-葡聚糖对海洋鱼和淡水鱼的影响不同，其中淡水鱼（ g = 2.05–6.57）表现出更好的表现。这项研究还发现鱼类的先天免疫反应与营养水平之间存在负相关，这表明营养水平较高的鱼类吸收这种生物刺激剂的效率可能较低。尽管由于测试生物体的多样性和发表偏倚而存在高度异质性（ I ² = 73%–97%， p < 0.05），但我们的模型和研究结果是有效的。研究结果表明，膳食中添加 β-葡聚糖可以对生长和免疫反应产生有益的影响，尤其是对于淡水物种。这些观察结果的有效性需要通过进一步的前瞻性研究来证实。