POTENTIAL OF OCTOPUS INK EXTRACT AS A QUORUM-QUENCHING AGENT TO INHIBIT Vibrio harveyi BIOFILM FORMATION IN AQUACULTURE (REVIEW)

Abstract

Vibrio harveyi is widely recognized as an important bacterial pathogen responsible for diseases in marine and brackish water fish, leading to reduced product quality, risks to food safety, and considerable economic losses on a global scale. A key factor contributing to its pathogenicity is its capacity to form biofilms, a process regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) system, which enhances bacterial virulence and tolerance to antibiotic treatments. Consequently, targeting and disrupting the QS system has emerged as a promising alternative approach for managing V. harveyi infections in aquaculture. Among potential natural sources, octopus ink extract has attracted attention due to its rich content of bioactive compounds, particularly alkaloids. This study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of octopus ink extract as a quorum quenching (QQ) agent in preventing biofilm formation by V. harveyi in aquaculture settings. The research was conducted through a systematic literature review, involving the collection and critical examination of relevant scientific publications. An in-depth analysis was performed to elucidate the mechanisms by which octopus ink extract interferes with QS-regulated processes and biofilm development. The findings indicate that active components in octopus ink can interrupt bacterial cell-to-cell communication by blocking QS autoinducers, resulting in reduced expression of virulence genes and inhibition of biofilm formation without directly affecting bacterial viability. This strategy may help minimize the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Overall, octopus ink extract shows strong potential as an effective, environmentally friendly quorum quenching agent and may also be developed as an immunostimulant to enhance fish health and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.