Gut and blood diversity microbiota of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in aquaponic systems: A scoping review

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Ang´elica Adiaç˜ao Jossefa, Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture,TanzaniaFollow
• Leonildo dos Anjo Viagem, SACIDS Africa Centre of Excellence for Infectious Diseases, SACIDS Foundation for One Health, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
• Brunno da Silva Cerozi Brunno da Silva Cerozi, Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, University of S˜ao Paulo, Avenue Padua Dias
• Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga Chenyambuga, Department of Animal, Aquaculture and Range Sciences, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro , Tanzania

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2026

Journal Name

The Microbe

Abstract

Tilapia is commonly integrated with vegetables in aquaponics systems, where complex microbial interactions may have important implications for food safety. This scoping review examines the current evidence on the microbiota diversity of tilapia reared in aquaponics systems, analyzes its potential influence on food safety, and highlight direction for future research. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Re- views and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines and included studies pub- lished between 2000 and 2025, retrieved from five scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, and Wiley Online Library. Only three studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence indicates that research on the microbiota of tilapia in aquaponics systems remains limited and fragmented. Most studies have focused on characterizing the gut microbiota of tilapia in different compartments of the system, while investigations addressing blood microbiota are absent. The gut microbiota reported in these studies is composed of the Phyla Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, taxonomic groups that include species with recognized pathogenic potential for humans. However, direct evi- dence linking fish-associated microbiota to the internalization or transmission of human pathogens to vegetables grown in aquaponic systems remains scarce and inconclusive. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps, including the lack of integrated studies simultaneously screening the microbiota of fish, water, and vegetables, the underrepresentation of food safety outcomes, and the absence of standardized microbiological and molecular methodologies. By mapping the current evidence and its limitations, this scoping review provides a foundation for future research aimed at elucidating microbial transfer pathways in aquaponic systems and developing evidence-based biosecurity and microbiological control strategies to enhance the sustainability and safety of food production in aquaponic systems

Keywords

Pathogenic bacteria, Food safety, Humans Tilapia, Aquaponic system

Rsif Scholar Name

Ang´elica Adiaç˜ao Jossefa

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Mozambique

Cohort

Cohort 4

Thematic Area

Food security and Agribusiness

Africa Host University (AHU)

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), Tanzania

Funding Statement

Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) through the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) for funding this study as part of the PhD program. Our acknowledgment also goes to the invaluable financial contribution from Mawazo Institute.

Recommended Citation

Jossefa, A. A., Viagem, L. d., Brunno da Silva Cerozi, B., & Chenyambuga, S. S. (2026). Gut and blood diversity microbiota of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in aquaponic systems: A scoping review. The Microbe https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microb.2026.100705