Bioactive Metabolites from Marine Algae as Next-Generation Immunotherapeutics for Sus scrofa: A Narrative Review of Mechanistic Insights and Applications in Precision Livestock Farming
Rising antibiotic resistance and growing demand for sustainable livestock practices have driven increasing interest in marine algae as a source of natural immunomodulatory compounds that enhance disease resistance in pigs (Sus scrofa). This narrative review examined marine algae compounds including sulfated polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, bioactive peptides, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, as potential therapeutic agents for precision livestock farming through their immunomodulatory effects. We conducted a comprehensive literature review across three databases, which included PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar, using Boolean-combined keyword combinations related to marine algae bioactives, Sus scrofa immunotherapy, and precision livestock farming (PLF). The review found that these metabolites interact with pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), on porcine immune cells, activating the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/mitogen-activated protein kinase (NF-κB/MAPK) signalling axis and modulating both pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production. There is varying quality of evidence for fucoidan-rich polysaccharides and β-glucans reducing intestinal inflammation, improving gut barrier integrity, and enhancing humoral immune response to a PRRSV vaccine in pigs. PLF can provide for targeted delivery of these bioactives through the use of AI-driven sensor networks and automatic feeding systems that are tailored to specific animal health status and production phase. There are several challenges, such as batch-to-batch variability in algal composition and lack of standardisation in dosing across developmental stages. Multi-site randomised controlled trials, standardisation of extraction and testing methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration are recommended for future research to convert these bioactive compounds into evidence-based immunotherapeutics for sustainable production of swine.
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