Epigenetic nutrition in aquaculture: The emerging role of Artemia as a bioencapsulation vehicle

This review analyzes the emerging role of Artemia -mediated epigenetic regulation in aquaculture. Artemia is widely used as live feed for fish and shellfish larvae and can bioencapsulate nutrients, microorganisms, and other bioactive compounds, making it a potential delivery vehicle for candidate epigenetic-modifying compounds. Current studies demonstrate that Artemia can successfully deliver several candidate compounds, including poly-β-hydroxybutyrate, selenium, cobalt, choline-containing phospholipids, and probiotic-associated bioactive factors, with subsequent effects on growth, immunity, stress resistance, metabolism, and gene expression in recipient aquatic species. However, these physiological and transcriptional responses do not, on their own, establish epigenetic regulation. Mechanistic epigenetic links are primarily supported by the candidate compounds known bioactivity, which includes modulation of S-adenosylmethionine availability, histone deacetylase inhibition, and interactions with non-coding RNA. Demonstrations linking Artemia enrichment to recipient exposure, a defined epigenetic alteration, and the resulting phenotype remain limited. Evidence for transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in aquaculture species following treatment with enriched Artemia remains unestablished. Future studies should focus on integrating Artemia -enrichment with directly measured epigenetic effects in larvae as wells as multigenertaional evaluations. Collectively, Artemia presents a promising platform for the delivery of candidate epigenators in aquaculture; however, stepwise validation is required to establish its ability to modulate epigenetic systems in aquaculture.