Adjuvants in Microencapsulation-Based Vaccines for Cantang Grouper against Viral Nervous Necrosis: A Review

Dila Muna Firdaus; Uun Yanuhar; Aisha Surya Ananda; Ranjithkumar Rajamani

Authors

Dila Muna Firdaus Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
Uun Yanuhar Department of Aquatic Resources Management, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia b Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3360-8752
Aisha Surya Ananda Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
Ranjithkumar Rajamani Sri Ramakrishna College of Arts & Science Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7438-0200

Keywords:

chitosan, Freund’s adjuvant (CFA/IFA), microencapsulation, nanovaccine, viral nervous necrosis, aquaculture

Abstract

Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) is one of the most serious diseases attaching Cantang grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) with mortality up to 100% in juvenile fish in aquaculture. A promising strategy to control this disease is the development of recombinant vaccines using the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris. In vaccine formulations, the addition of adjuvants is important for enhancing fish immune responses. This study aims to review the microencapsulation techniques using recombinant C.vulgaris protein combined with adjuvants such as Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA), Incomplete Freund’s Adjuvant (IFA), and chitosan to improve immune responses in Cantang grouper infected with VNN. This review was conducted by synthesizing peer-reviewed journals published over the last decade. The analysis focuses on evaluating the integration of various adjuvants with microencapsulation technologies to enhance vaccine efficacy against VNN in Cantang Grouper. The results indicate that the use of recombinant C.vulgaris-based vaccines combined with encapsulated adjuvants, particularly CFA/IFA and chitosan, can enhance immune responses in Cantang grouper. Microencapsulation technology enhances antigen stability and enables controlled antigen release, thereby improving vaccine delivery efficiency. These findings suggest that adjuvant-assisted microencapsulation systems have significant potential to improve vaccine effectiveness to prevent fish from VNN infection in aquaculture. Technological applications should focus on optimizing encapsulation formulas and large-scale trials to ensure long-term immunity in sustainable grouper farming.

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