Open Global Scientific Journal 4 .
: 7-17 2025 Contents lists available at openscie.
E-ISSN: 2961-7952
Open Global Scientific Journal DOI: 10.
70110/ogsj.
Journal homepage: https://openglobalsci.
The Role of Vitamin C.
Vitamin E and Zinc Supplementation in Enhancing the Resilience of Cultured Fish to Environmental Stress: A Systematic Literature Review Sheny Permatasari1* Department of Technology and Management of Applied Aquaculture.
School of Vocational Studies.
IPB University.
Indonesia *Correspondence E-mail: shenypermata@apps.
ARTICLE
INFO
Article History:
Received 10 May 2025 Revised 26 June 2025 Accepted 28 June 2025 Published 29 June 2025 Keywords:
Antioxidant.
Environmental stressors.
Immune system.
Vitamin C.
Vitamin E.
Zinc.
ABSTRACT
Background: The modern aquaculture industry faces serious challenges from environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations, deteriorating water quality, and high stocking densities, all of which negatively affect cultured fish's growth and immune Micronutrient supplementationAiparticularly vitamin C, vitamin E and zincAihas enhanced fish resilience to these stressors.
Aims & Methods: This article was prepared using a systematic literature-review approach on the effectiveness of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc in strengthening the antioxidant and immune systems of A systematic literature search was conducted for articles published within the last ten years in ScopusAaor SINTaindexed journals that examined the effects of these micronutrients on the physiological and immunological performance of cultured fish.
Results: The evidence indicates that vitamin C at 200Ae400 mg kgAA feed, vitamin E at 50-100 mg kgAA feed and zinc at 30Ae80 mg kgAA feed elevate antioxidant-enzyme activity, improve tissue histology, and boost non-specific immune responses.
Several species have documented positive outcomes, including Oreochromis niloticus.
Clarias batrachus, and Rachycentron canadum.
Nevertheless, interspecies variability, interactions with other nutrients, and limited molecular-level studies remain challenges.
Further research is required to establish optimal dosages, clarify specific mechanisms of action, and design practical supplementation strategies for sustainable intensive aquaculture.
To cite this article: Permatasari.
The role of vitamin c, vitamin e and zinc supplementation in enhancing the resilience of cultured fish to environmental stress: A systematic literature review.
Open Global Scientific Journal, 4.
, 7Ae This article is under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.
0 International (CC BY-SA 4.
License.
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.
0 International License Copyright A2025 by author/s Introduction The aquaculture industry has experienced rapid growth as a key solution to meet the rising global demand for animal-based protein.
However, intensive aquaculture practices often expose fish to various environmental stressors, such as temperature fluctuations, poor water quality, hypoxia, and high stocking densities.
These stress conditions can disrupt fish homeostasis, reduce growth performance, and increase susceptibility to infections and In this context, nutritionAiparticularly micronutrients such as vitamins and mineralsAiplays a critical role.
Micronutrients not only support essential metabolic processes but also serve vital functions as antioxidants and For instance, vitamin C has been shown to enhance immune responses and reduce oxidative stress in fish exposed to elevated temperatures (Barros et al.
, 2.
Similarly.
Zinc supplementation has been reported to strengthen immune function and upregulate genes related to growth and immune responses in fish under various environmental stressors (Mustafa et al.
, 2.
Improving fish resilience to environmental stress not only benefits fish health but also contributes significantly to aquaculture productivity.
The productivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticu.
, for example, plays a crucial role in supporting food security and the fisheries economy in Indonesia.
Factors such as water quality management, feed selection, farming techniques, and the application of appropriate technologies have been identified as key determinants in improving tilapia aquaculture productivity (Mendrofa & Zebua, 2.
Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the role of micronutrients in mitigating the negative effects of environmental stress is essential.
This review aims to summarize recent scientific findings on the effectiveness of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc supplementation in enhancing the resilience of cultured fish to environmental stressors, as part of efforts to support healthier and more sustainable aquaculture systems.
Methods This article was prepared using a systematic literature-review approach.
The objective was to identify, evaluate, and synthesize scientific findings on how micronutrient supplementationAispecifically vitamin C, vitamin E and zincAienhances the resilience of cultured fish to environmental stressors.
Literature selection criteria Articles were included if they .
were published within the last ten years .
Original research articles, including in vivo or in vitro experimental studies.
studies evaluating the effects of vitamin C, zinc, or other antioxidants on stress response, growth performance, or immune function in fish.
articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals indexed in national (Sint.
and international databases .
Scopus.
Web of Science.
DOAJ).
Search strategy Relevant literature was retrieved from Google Scholar.
ScienceDirect.
SpringerLink, and Portal Garuda using combination of keywords such as Auvitamin CAy.
Auvitamin EAy.
AuzincAy.
AuaquacultureAy.
Auenvironmental stressorsAy.
AuantioxidantAy, and Auimmune response.
Ay Data analysis Eligible publications were analyzed qualitatively.
Findings and conclusions were critically examined and descriptively synthesized to provide an integrated overview of how vitamin C and zinc alleviate environmentalstress effects on physiological, immunological, and growth responses in cultured fish.
This qualitative-descriptive synthesis forms the scientific basis for developing nutrition-based stress-mitigation strategies in intensive aquaculture systems.
A summary table of the reviewed studiesAidetailing journal titles, study species, supplementation protocols, key outcomes, and Scopus indexing statusAiis provided below.
Table 1.
Table of the reviewed studies Fish Species Nutrient Research Focus Author.
& Year Bazina et al.
Oreochromis and/or Le et al.
Rachycentron Vitamin C Effects of nanoselenium and/or supplementation on antioxidant status, histopathology and Effects of extreme Key Findings Indexing SeNPs and/or VE enhances growth, body parameters, and Scopus Vitamin C Scopus Zeng et al.
Ctenopharyngodo n idella Zinc Immunity Sherif et al.
Oreochromis Vitamins C Growth performance and feed utilization Vicente et , .
Oreochromis Zinc.
Vitamins C Immune and responses under Mustafa et , .
Oreochromis Vitamin C & Zinc Cold water stress Farag et al.
Oreochromis Vitamin E Vitamin E performance and immune status of Nile tilapia Elnagar et , .
Oreochromis A blend of chitosanvitamin C and nanoparticles robust Jewel et al.
Clarias batrachus Zinc Growth and nutritional quality Rathore et , .
Oreochromis Nanoselenium Vitamin C Dietary Administration of Engineered Nanoselenium and Vitamin C mortality under thermal stress Zn has a positive impact on the immune function of head kidney, spleen and skin Improved growth, feed efficiency, and Supplementatio n enhanced antioxidant and Combined Vitamin C and Zinc in improving the response and Fish were becoming less vulnerable to A.
Nile tilapia diet could increase immune and antioxidantrelated gene expression to counteract S.
Improved growth and Supplementatio n with nano-Se and VC is noteworthy for Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Ameliorates Immune Response.
Nutritional Physiology.
Oxidative Stress, and Resistance Inarto et al.
Oreochromis Zinc The effects of dietary organic zinc (Z.
Rahman et , .
Various species Vitamin C Effects of Dietary Vitamin C on the Growth Performance.
Antioxidant Activity and Disease Resistance of Fish Kumar et al.
Pangasianodon Zinc NanoAczinc enhances gene regulation of nonAcspecific immunity and antioxidative status Rohani et al.
Oreochromis Zinc & Vitamin E Effects of Zn and VE addition in the diet on growth and feed utilization Ibrahim et , .
Oreochromis Selenium Dual effect of selenium loaded nanoparticles on growth, antioxidant, immune related genes expression Perera & Bhujel Oreochromis Vitamin C Potential role of Lascorbic acid (Vitamin C) growth, serum status, immune status, and Significantly improved the response and resistance of Zn-NPs diets ammonia and arsenic toxicity, and hightemperature Zn and Vit E can be into the diets of Nile tilapia for better growth with maximum feed utilization Effects of SeChNPs on Nile tilapia growth resulted from immune stimulatory and free radicals Vitamin C (Lascorbic acid.
AA) Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Wang et al.
Eriocheir sinensis Zinc Immunity and LPS Ibrahim et , .
Oreochromis Vitamin C El-Gabri et , .
Oreochromis Vitamin C Growth, immunity.
Aeromonas Growth, antioxidant activity, immune status, tissue and disease Alkaladi.
A .
Oreochromis Vitamins C Vitamins E and C ameliorate the oxidative stresses Abdelazim et , .
Oreochromis ZnO-NPs.
Vitamins C Oxidative stress and tissue protection Farsani et al.
Oreochromis Vitamin E The protective role of vitamin E Lu et al.
Pelteobagrus Vitamin E Alkaladi et , .
Oreochromis Vitamins C Effects of dietary vitamin E on the antioxidant status and innate immune Hematological and investigations on the effect of vitamin E would benefit in terms of growth, and stress resistance Enhanced growth and immune-related gene expression Improved growth and Enhancing the growth, hepatic and intestinal immune status, and resistance against A.
vitamin E and C
highly effective in alleviation the toxic effect
Vitamins C & E
mitigated ZnONP-induced oxidative stress
Vitamin E
MDA
lysozyme, and Significant increase in the serum levels of es, urea, creatinine and Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Scopus Barros et al.
Oreochromis Vitamin C Immunomodulatory Effects of Dietary glucan and Vitamin Abdan et al.
Anguilla bicolor Vitamin C Effects of vitamin C dosage levels on growth and survival rate of sidat fish Sumaraw et , .
Oreochromis Vitamin C Komalasari et al.
, .
Oreochromis Vitamin C Effects of Dietary Vitamin C with different dose Effects of Dietary Vitamin C increased fish resistance to stress and glucan resulted in reduced regardless of the Vitamin C increasing the growth and survival of eel C significantly affects survival The addition of vitamin C can increase the growth and survival of tilapia fish Scopus Scholar Scholar Scholar Results and Discussion 1 Mechanisms of Action of Vitamin C.
Vitamin E And Zinc 1 Vitamin C.
E and Zinc as Aquatic Immunostimulants Vitamin C .
scorbic aci.
, vitamin E and zinc are essential micronutrients that play pivotal roles in sustaining the health and immune competence of aquatic organisms, particularly under environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations, deteriorating water quality, and pathogenic challenges (Kumar et al.
, 2023.
Mustafa et , 2024.
Sherif et al.
, 2.
As a potent antioxidant, vitamin C neutralizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in excess during oxidative stress.
Its principal functions include collagen synthesis, tissue regeneration, and immune stimulation via enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and antibody production (El-Gabri et al.
, 2.
Vitamin E (VE) is an essential vitamin liposoluble antioxidant in aquatic animals that is usually lost during feed processing and digestion, whereas nano-chitosan, a polysaccharide, could protect VE.
Vitamin E .
liposoluble vitami.
is the most reliable antioxidant and immunostimulant agent (Farag et al.
, 2.
It inhibits lipid peroxidation and protects animal cells against generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Lu et al.
, 2.
Conversely.
Zinc acts as a co-factor for important enzymes involved in the proper functioning of the antioxidant defense system, which protects cells against oxidative damage, acts in the stabilization of membranes and inhibits the enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NADPH-Oxidas.
(Marreiro et , 2.
Zinc also regulates immune-cell proliferation, phagocytic activity, wound healing, and tissue Zinc particles are recognized for its ability to elevate fish health and well-being, enhancing antimicrobial and antioxidant capacities and reinforcing the immune system (Jewel et al.
, 2.
Combined supplementation of vitamin C.
E and zinc exerts synergistic effects, stabilizing cellular redox balance and strengthening host defences against oxidative stress.
Studies have shown that concurrent administration of these micronutrients improves the immune response and growth performance in fish (Rohani et , 2022.
Mustafa et al.
, 2.
Accordingly, the inclusion of vitamin C.
E and zinc as immunostimulants in feed or culture systems represents an effective strategy for safeguarding fish and shrimp health under intensive farming 2 Efficacy in Diverse Cultured Fish Species Extensive research confirms that vitamin C and zinc supplementation enhances stress resilience in several aquaculture species, including Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticu.
African catfish (Clarias gariepinu.
, and common carp (Cyprinus carpi.
Vitamin C, a strong antioxidant, supports collagen synthesis, tissue repair, and adaptive immunity (El-Gabri et al.
, 2.
In O.
niloticus, dietary vitamin C significantly improves growth, antioxidant capacity, and the histological integrity of liver and intestinal tissues while elevating resistance to Aeromonas sobria infection (Ibrahim et al.
, 2.
Le et al.
, .
further demonstrated that vitamin C enhances thermal tolerance in cobia (Rachycentron canadu.
, lowering mortality and maintaining physiological stability under extreme temperatures.
In O.
niloticus, dietary vitamin E enhanced growth performance, feed utilization, health status and immune response (Sherif et al.
, 2.
Zinc is equally critical, acting as a co-factor for antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and contributing to nonspecific immune defence.
Zeng et al.
, .
reported that zinc has a positive impact on the immune function of head kidney, spleen and skin of grass carp.
In Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensi.
, zinc supplementation increased acid and alkaline phosphatase activities, antioxidant capacity, and the expression of immune-related genes, thereby improving tolerance to lipopolysaccharide exposure (Wang et al.
, 2.
Synergistic effects have also been observed when vitamin C is combined with other micronutrients.
Alafari et .
found that vitamin C plus nano-selenium enhanced growth, haematological status, tissue morphology, and resistance to Saprolegnia ferax infection in Nile tilapia.
Collectively, these findings underscore the value of vitamin C and zincAiadministered singly or in combinationAias preventive nutritional strategies to bolster fish health and optimise productivity in intensive aquaculture systems.
Multiple studies consistently show that vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation reduces malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a biomarker of oxidative stress, while boosting antioxidant-enzyme activities (Mustafa et al.
, 2024.
Farag et al.
, 2024.
Elnagar et al.
, 2.
Zinc likewise improves immune responses and lowers mortality in fish exposed to stressors such as extreme temperature and poor water quality (Rohani et al.
, 2022.
Mustafa et al.
The demonstrated efficacy of both micronutrients highlights their fundamental roles in supporting fish health and performance under culture conditions.
2 Effective Dosage and Administration of Vitamin C.
Vitamin E and Zinc in Cultured Fish The optimal dosage of vitamin C and zinc in aquafeeds varies depending on the species, age, and environmental Vitamin C, as an essential antioxidant, plays a critical role in fish growth and immune function.
Le et , .
demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation at 200Ae400 mg/kg feed reduced mortality in cobia (Rachycentron canadu.
exposed to extreme temperatures.
In Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticu.
, a dose of 400 mg/kg feed improved liver histology and enhanced antioxidant capacity (El-Gabri et al.
, 2.
Similarly, studies on coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutc.
reported that vitamin C doses ranging from 93.
08 to 224.
68 mg/kg feed significantly promoted growth and antioxidant enzyme activity (Zhang et al.
, 2.
Farag et al.
, .
demonstrated that vitamin E supplementation at 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg feed promoted enhance performance and immune status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticu.
Zinc, as a cofactor of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), is also vital in enhancing fish immune responses.
Wang et al.
, .
found that zinc supplementation at 80 mg/kg feed improved immunity and tolerance to toxic exposure in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensi.
For Nile tilapia, zinc proteinate at 40 mg/kg feed increased digestive enzyme activities and antioxidant capacity (Inarto et al.
, 2.
Moreover.
Alafari et al.
, .
showed that combined supplementation of vitamin C and nano-selenium enhanced growth performance, hematological status, and resistance against Saprolegnia ferax fungal infection in Nile tilapia.
Generally, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc are administered through feed formulations containing these micronutrients, either continuously or in cycles tailored to fish requirements.
Continuous supplementation at appropriate dosages can improve growth performance and strengthen the immune system without causing toxic However, dosage adjustments should be species-specific and consider fish age and culture environment quality, since excessive supplementation may lead to heavy metal accumulation or metabolic disturbances.
Conclusion & Recommendations Supplementation of vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc has been proven to positively impact the physiological and immunological resilience of cultured fish, particularly in coping with environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations, poor water quality, and pathogen exposure.
These three micronutrients play crucial roles in enhancing the endogenous antioxidant system and non-specific immune responses, thereby contributing to improved growth performance and survival rates.
Various studies have demonstrated that vitamin C supplementation within the range of 200Ae400 mg/kg feed, vitamin E supplementation within 50-100 mg/kg feed and zinc supplementation between 30Ae80 mg/kg feed, depending on the species, can yield significant benefits without inducing toxic effects.
To promote sustainable aquaculture productivity, it is recommended that vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc supplementation be administered in a controlled manner through precisely formulated feeds that consider the specific requirements of fish species, growth stages, and environmental conditions.
Appropriate dosage adjustments should also take into account interactions with other micronutrients to avoid undesirable antagonistic or synergistic effects.
Therefore, further in-depth research is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms, assess the effectiveness of combined micronutrient formulations, and develop cost-effective, practical supplementation strategies for industrial-scale aquaculture systems.
References