PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE

Crabs, lobsters, prawns, and shrimp are among the most highly prized crustaceans in the aquaculture industry and contribute significantly to the global economy. In crustacean farming, artificial chemotherapeutic drugs have been used to improve growth, ovarian maturation, and immunity. However, dependence on chemotherapeutics promotes antibiotic-resistant bacteria, pollutes the environment, and poses risks for human consumption. Therefore, the primary goal of this review article is to identify the various plants used to improve the growth, spawning, and immunity of crustaceans. The findings indicate that plants and herbs such as amaranth, soursop leaf, mulberry leaf, olive, cajuput, bitterweed, Shepherd’s needle, Indian borage, Chinese skullcap, and Indian gooseberry can enhance crustacean growth. Herbs like common senduduk can promote ovarian maturation, resulting in 100% spawned crustaceans. Plants such as guava leaves, tall-stilt mangrove leaves, chaihu, Indian ginseng, rosemary, mangrove cannonball trees, lechuguilla, moringa, neem, screw pine, Indian gooseberry, solanum, buton forest onion, roselle, giant sensitive trees, and Tasmanian blue gum have been verified to have medicinal properties that can boost crustacean immunity. In conclusion, the knowledge gained from these findings may drive future research aimed at developing natural supplements or treatments to enhance growth, reproduction, and immune functions, ultimately benefiting crustacean farming.