The anaesthetic effect of camphor (Cinnamomum camphora), clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and mint (Mentha arvensis) essential oils on clown anemonefish,Amphiprion ocellaris (Cuvier 1830)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and mint (Mentha arvensis) essential oils as anaesthetics during the management of clown anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris). For 15 min, the animals were subjected to concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 27 and 35 μL L^?1 of clove oil, 17, 35, 50, 70 and 100 μL L^?1 of mint oil, and 200, 400, 500, 550 and 600 μL L^?1 of camphor oil (tested in 10 animals per concentration). A control group (without anaesthetic) and a complementary group, which was exposed to ethanol, were also evaluated. After exposure to the anaesthetic, the fish were transferred to clean water to assess recovery. The mortality and feeding behaviour of the fish were then observed for 48 h after exposure to the oils. All of the essential oils produced an anaesthetic effect on A. ocellaris. The 27, 70 and 500 μL L^?1 concentrations of clove, mint, and camphor oils promoted surgical anaesthesia after 310.5, 312.0, and 535.0 s (medians) respectively. The recovery times of fish exposed to these same concentrations were 396, 329.5 and 229 s respectively. The decision of which oil to use is dependent on the management situation and the consideration of the induction and recovery times of each essential oil.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Selected Essential Oils on Pseudomonas Species Associated with Spoilage of Fish with Emphasis on Cinnamon Essential Oil

ABSTRACT

Eight plant essential oils (cardamom, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemongrass, lime, nutmeg and rosemary) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against three Pseudomonas species associated with microbial spoilage of refrigerated tilapia. In vitro test of the essential oils, using disc-diffusion method, showed various degrees of antimicrobial activity against the Pseudomonas species. Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) had the highest antimicrobial activity, followed by clove essential oil. The remaining essential oils showed consistently weak activity. The antimicrobial efficiency of CEO against the Pseudomonas species was confirmed by potential minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values, ranging between 0.125 and 0.375 µL/mL and 0.250–0.500 µL/mL, respectively. The anti-Pseudomonas activity of CEO was also tested in fish extract model at refrigeration temperature. The essential oil reduced the Pseudomonas viable count in fish extract but to a lesser extent than when it was applied at the same concentrations in culture medium. The chemical composition of CEO showed that the oil contained 79.1% cinnamaldehyde, which was suggested to be responsible for its antimicrobial activity. These results revealed the potential of CEO as a promising natural antimicrobial agent that could efficiently contribute to the control of spoilage bacteria and retard microbial spoilage of fresh fish.     

Potential of cinnamon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cinnamomum verum</Emphasis>) oil to control <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus iniae</Emphasis> infection in tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>)

In this study, four essential oils—cinnamon oil, leech lime oil, lemongrass oil, and turmeric oil—were examined for their antimicrobial activities against Streptococcus iniae, a bacterium that is pathogenic in fish, in which it causes streptococcosis. Cinnamon oil was the most potent antimicrobial agent among these oils, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 40 μg/ml. By using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), it was found that the major components of cinnamon oil were cinnamaldehyde (90.24), limonene (2.42%), cinnamyl acetate (2.03%), linalool (1.16%), and α-terpineol (0.87%). Of these compounds, only cinnamaldehyde exhibited antimicrobial activity against S. iniae, with an MIC of 20 μg/ml. In an in vivo trial, no mortality was apparent in fish fed on fish diets supplemented with 0.4% (w/w) of cinnamon oil and with 0.1% (w/w) of oxytetracycline 5 days prior to infection with S. iniae. These results indicate that cinnamon oil had a protective effect on experimental S. iniae infection in tilapia, and thus has the potential to replace the antibiotics used to control this disease.     

Growth performance,immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed Thymus vulgaris essential oils

Efficacy of Thymus vulgaris essential oils was assessed on growth, immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish weighing 10 g were fed with dietary supplemented of the oils at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg feed for 2 months. Fish fed with the oils at 0.5 ml/kg feed demonstrated a better weight gain and specific growth rate, compared to other treatments (p < .05). Fish fed with 1.0 ml the oils showed the highest up‐regulation of complement component 3 (C3) and (cluster of differentiation 4) (CD4) genes expression (p < .05), while lysozyme gene expression level significantly increased in fish fed with 2.0 ml of the oils. In addition, at the end of the experiment, the expression of C3 and CD4 genes were significantly up‐regulated in fish fed with 1.0 and 2.0 ml of the oils, while IL‐1ß and lysozyme genes expression levels were significantly decreased in fish fed 2.0 ml oils, towards the end of the trial (p < .05). There was a fluctuation in the levels of Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase in all treatments during the experiment. When treated fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival rate was observed in 0.5 ml/kg treatment, followed by 2 and 1 mg/kg treatments. Overall, these findings demonstrated that dietary administration of T. vulgaris oils especially at 0.5 mg/kg feed can be considered as a potential component for enhancing of the growth, immune responses and disease resistance of trout against motile Aeromonas septicemia caused by A. hydrophila.     

Effects of a nanoemulsion with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin against monogenean parasites of Colossoma macropomum: A Neotropical Serrasalmidae

Monogeneans are ectoparasites that may cause losses in production and productivity in the aquaculture of Colossoma macropomum. Chemotherapeutics used in aquaculture usually have major adverse effects on fish; hence, the use of essential oils has been considered advantageous, but these are not soluble in water. Thus, the use of nanostructures to enhance water solubility of compounds and improve bioactivity may be very promising. This study investigated the antiparasitic activity of nanoemulsion prepared with Copaifera officinalis oleoresin (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/L), against monogenean parasites from the gills of C. macropomum. The particle size distribution and zeta potential suggested that a potentially kinetic stable system was generated. The nanoemulsion from C. officinalis oleoresin achieved high efficacy (100%) at low concentrations (200 and 300 mg/L) after 15 min of exposure. This was the first time that a nanoemulsion was generated from C. officinalis oleoresin using a solvent‐free, non‐heating and low‐energy method. Moreover, this was the first time that an antiparasitic against monogeneans on fish gills, based on nanoemulsion of C. officinalis oleoresin, was tested.     

Evaluation of crude palm oil and refined palm olein as dietary lipids in pelleted feeds for a tropical bagrid catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes)

The effects of different dietary lipids on the growth, feed utilization and tissue fatty acid composition of a tropical bagrid catfish Mystus nemurus (Cuvier & Valenciennes) were investigated. Eight isonitrogenous and isoenergetic semi‐purified diets were fed to triplicate groups of M. nemurus fingerlings for 10 weeks. Diet lipid levels were fixed at 10%, with 1% coming from residual oil in fishmeal and the remainder from cod liver oil (CLO), corn oil (CORN), soybean oil (SBO), crude palm oil (CPO), refined, bleached and deodorized palm olein (RBDPO) or various combinations of these oils. Catfish fed diets supplemented with 9% RBDPO showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth rates compared with fish fed the other seven diets. No significant differences in growth performance or feed efficiency ratio were observed between M. nemurus fed 9% CLO, CORN or CPO or fish fed diets containing 4% CLO with either 5% CORN, SBO, CPO or RBDPO. Based upon these results, palm oil‐based diets can be used effectively for M. nemurus without compromising growth or feed utilization efficiency. Muscle and liver fatty acid composition of M. nemurus reflected that of the dietary oils added in pelleted diets fed to the fish. Considering the lower cost and availability of palm oil (compared with imported vegetable oils and fish oils) in many tropical countries, its use in dietary formulations for M. nemurus, and possibly other catfish species, will make these fish feeds less expensive.     

Effects of Different Dietary Lipid Sources on Growth Performance,Salinity Tolerance,Haematological and Biochemical Parameters of Caspian Roach (Rutilus rutilus caspicus) Juvenile

This study investigates the effects of replacing fish oil with two vegetable oils (Sunflower oil and Soybean oil) on growth performance, salinity tolerance, hematological and serum biochemical profile of Rutilus rutilus over 56 days. Five diets were supplemented with 8% of either fish oil (FO) (control), sunflower oil (SFO), and soybean oil (SO) or a combination of 4% FO with 4% SFO and 4% FO with 4% SO, respectively. Triplicate groups of fish (24 fish per tank with an average body weight, of 5.52 g) were assigned to each diet. Blood samples were taken from the caudal vein of 75 apparently healthy fish at the end of trial. Hematological values of the blood samples were determined using standard techniques. At the end of the experiment fish were exposed to salinity stress. The results showed that the best growth performance was in fish fed the control diet, but the differences were minor among treatments containing vegetable oils (P > 0.05). Serum cholesterol and glucose concentrations were significantly higher in fish fed dieta containing vegetable oils (P < 0.05). Red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) in groups fed diets containing SFO and SO were higher than other groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in survival after 48 h salinity stress (P > 0.05). These results indicate that in cases where fish oil is scarce or expensive, vegetable lipids can be used as replacements without any serious negative growth performance and health impacts.     

Growth, digestibility and nutrient utilization of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles fed different dietary soybean oil levels

A shortage of marine raw ingredients, such as fish oil, is predicted in the near future. The use of suitable alternative lipid sources, such as vegetable oils, is crucial for sustainable growth of the aquaculture sector. Three isonitrogenous (50% Crude Protein) and isoenergetic (19 kJ g⁻¹) diets, in which fish oil was gradually replaced by soybean oil (0, 25 and 50% of the oil fraction) were tested for 12 weeks, using European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles. No dietary effects (p>0.05) on growth performance, feed conversion, digestibility or body composition were observed with either species. The results obtained suggest the inclusion of soybean oil up to 50% of the dietary lipid is possible, in diets for sea bass and/or rainbow trout juveniles.     

Effects of dietary fish oil substitution with mixed vegetable oils on growth and fillet fatty acid composition of juvenile Caspian great sturgeon (Huso huso)

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of fish oil replacement with dietary vegetable oils on growth performance, chemical composition and fatty acids profiles in fillets of farmed Caspian great sturgeon juveniles Huso huso (26.97 ± 0.49 g). Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated, containing 10 % of added oil. The diet with 100 % kilka fish oil (Caspian tyulka, Clupeonella caspia) was the control. Fish oil was substituted by 50 % of vegetable oils consisting of an equal share of sunflower and soybean oils (diet A), sunflower and canola oils (diet B) and soybean and canola oils (diet C). In diet D, 100 % of fish oil was replaced with vegetable oil (1:1:1 ratio of sunflower oil, soybean oil and canola oil). Significant differences (P > 0.05) were not detected during 60 days feeding trial in final body weight, weight gain, condition factor, specific growth rate, feed conversion rate, protein efficiency ratio and the chemical composition of fillet (crude protein, crude lipid, moisture and ash). Generally, the fatty acids composition of fish fillets was reflective of the dietary lipid sources. These results indicate the feasibility of substituting fish oils with the mixture of vegetable oils in diets of juvenile H. huso without negative influence on growth providing optimum ratios of n-3/n-6 and n-3/18:1n-9 is met in the diet.     

Chemical composition of Lippia spp. essential oil and antimicrobial activity against Aeromonas hydrophila

Phytotherapy can replace antibiotic administration as an alternative to control Aeromonas hydrophila, one of the main bacteria involved in the aetiology of farmed fish diseases. Given that plants of the Lippia spp. genus show biological potential for antimicrobial activity, this study evaluated the chemical composition of essential oils extracted from Lippia alba, Lippia origanoides and Lippia sidoides and their activity against A. hydrophila. The oils were obtained by steam distillation in a Clevenger‐type apparatus and their composition determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (CG/MS). Antibacterial activity was assessed by calculating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using broth microdilution method. The main compounds identified were geranial (25.4%) and neral (16.6%) in L. alba oil, carvacrol (40.4%) and p‐cymene (11.4%) in L. origanoides oil and thymol (76.6%) and ortho‐cymene (6.3%) in L. sidoides oil. The three Lippia species showed bacteriostatic and bactericidal action against A. hydrophila, with MICs and MBCs ranging from 1250 to 5000 μg mL^?1. Of the species tested, the best performance was obtained with essential oil of L. sidoides.     

Citral and linalool chemotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lippia alba</Emphasis> essential oil as anesthetics for fish: a detailed physiological analysis of side effects during anesthetic recovery in silver catfish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhamdia quelen</Emphasis>)

The viability using Lippia alba essential oil as an anesthetic for fish was studied, particularly with respect to physiological effects during recovery. Anesthesia of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) using 100 and 300 μL L^?1 of two different chemotypes of L. alba essential oil (citral EO-C and linalool EO-L) prevented the increase of plasma cortisol levels caused by handling, but did not avoid alterations in energetic metabolism. Silver catfish did not have increased the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive species in the kidney and liver during recovery after anesthesia with either EO, avoiding lipid damage. On the other hand, fish anesthetized with EO-C showed higher protein carbonylation levels, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities and non-protein thiol group levels in both tissues compared to controls. Our results suggest that both oils show antioxidant capacity, but anesthesia with EO-L does not cause damage to lipids or proteins, only temporary changes, typical of physiological adjustments during recovery from anesthesia. Therefore, EO-L is an effective anesthetic for silver catfish with fewer side effects than EO-C.     

Effects of Sodium Alginate and Chitosan Coating Combined with Three Different Essential Oils on Microbial and Chemical Attributes of Rainbow Trout Fillets

ABSTRACT

Meat products, such as fish meat, are known to be susceptible to undesirable chemical and microbial reactions that characterize spoilage. In this study, the effect of a sodium alginate and chitosan coating incorporated with Mentha piperita, Artemisia dracunculus, and Zataria multiflora essential oils on chemical and microbial attributes of rainbow trout meat was evaluated during storage at 4°C. Chemical and microbial assays were performed on rainbow trout fillets with alginate and chitosan coatings and 0.2% concentration of test essential oils. The results showed that the alginate coating with essential oils significantly decreased production of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and reduced the growth of foodborne spoilage bacteria during storage at 4ºC. At day 12, the best results were obtained in chitosan coating + Z. multiflora, with 5.96 ± 0.12, 4.93 ± 0.12, and 3.83 ± 0.2 for total viable counts, psychrotrophic bacterial count, and lactic acid bacteria count, respectively. Moreover, the lowest amounts of chemical analysis were observed in chitosan coating + Z. multiflora at the final day (0.54 ± 0.03 and 20.31 ± 0.1 for TBA and TVBN, respectively). Our study revealed that essential oils can be used as effective natural components against undesirable chemical and microbial reactions in fish meat.     

Effect of dietary vegetable oils on health and liver histology of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) growers

There is an increasing trend towards the replacement of fish oil (FO) by vegetable oils in feeds for farmed fish, particularly marine carnivores. Previous researches on partial or complete replacement of FO by alternate vegetable oils for young gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) were successful. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different dietary vegetable oils on seabream growers' health and liver structure. Two dietary vegetable oil blends (Mix 1 and Mix 2), namely sunflower oil, cottonseed oil and either linseed oil (LO) or soybean oil (BO), were tested as 60% FO substitutes versus the 100% FO control (CTR) diet. Three isonitrogenous (∼47% CP) and isolipidic (18.2% L) diets were fed, twice a day, 6 days a week to apparent satiation, to triplicate groups of seabream growers (mean IW, 130.85 g) in PVC tanks. The growth trial lasted for 20 weeks at an average ambient water temperature of 27.0±1.8°C. At the end of the experiment, fish attained market size (300–400 g) and their health status was evaluated by blood analyses, head kidney prints and liver histology. Haemoglobin and haematocrit contents, erythrocyte (RBC) and leucocyte (WBC) count remained significantly unaffected by any dietary treatments. Despite the apparent relatively higher thrombocyte counts for fish fed vegetable oil diets, especially Mix 2 as compared with those of CTR fish, variations were found to be insignificant (P>0.05). However, a slight deformation in erythrocyte shape was noticed in the blood films of fish fed the vegetable oil diets. Inclusion of either dietary vegetable oil blend had also elevated the number of both developing myelocytes and phagocytes in fish head kidney prints examined compared with those of CTR fish particularly for Mix 2 group. Liver from seabream fed vegetable oils showed slightly swelled hepatocytes due to accumulation of oil droplets in the cytoplasm. In the liver sections investigated ultra‐structurally, nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles were shifted towards the cell periphery. Hepatocytes of fish fed Mix 2 diet showed relative shrinkage and picnotic nuclei, compared with those of CTR fish, suggesting an effect on lipid transport and/or metabolism in fish. The comparative hepatic features between experimental fish groups were described. Accordingly, Mix 1 diet (with LO) was considered better than Mix 2 (with BO) in terms of influence on seabream growers' health status.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement on growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

An experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary fish oil replacement at an optimal level on the growth and carcass proximate composition of juvenile barramundi or sea bass (Lates calcarifer). Ten fish feeds were formulated to contain iso‐ingredients with theoretically identical dietary lipid levels but with different sources of lipids (fish oil, soybean oil, canola oil and linseed oil) replacing dietary fish oil. Three hundred fish were equally divided into 30 70‐L plastic tanks (three replicate tanks for each treatment). Fish were fed with experimental diets for 40 days within closed recirculating freshwater systems (70 L h^?1, 28°C and 12L:12D). Growth, specific growth rate, food conversion ratio (FCR) and carcass proximate composition were determined. Dietary lipids significantly affected (P<0.05) the growth of the fish. Good growth and low FCR were observed in all treatments. Therefore, fish oils can be partially replaced by vegetable oils to reduce the feed cost. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in lipid, moisture and protein content in fish carcasses among the group. However, juvenile barramundi showed increasing lipid and moisture content in muscle, whereas decreasing protein content when compared to the initial fish.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources in the diet for Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) juvenile on growth performance,nutrient utilization,body indices and muscle and liver fatty acid composition

Four isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1 crude protein), isoenergetic (21 kJ g^?1) experimental diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SBO), crude palm oil (CPO) and linseed oil (LO), respectively, as lipid sources each at inclusion level of 120 g kg^?1 and fed to triplicate groups of 15 juvenile iridescent shark, Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) (mean weight 10.00 ± 0.70 g) to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. The results showed that survival of fish was consistently over 95% for all treatments whereas growth performance in the SBO and CPO treatments was similar and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for fish fed the LO diet. However, fish fed all vegetable oil‐based diets performed better than those fed the FO diet. Muscle and liver fatty acid composition for all treatments generally reflected the composition in the diet and the ratio of n‐3/n‐6 was found to play an important role in P. hypophthalmus, suggesting that excessive amounts of n‐3 fatty acids reduce the overall growth performance. Results of this study thus suggests that P. hypophthalmus fed diets containing vegetable oils (especially CPO and SBO) produce better growth than those fed FO diet without showing any signs of nutrient deficiency.     

Economic feasibility of high Omega-3 soybean oil in mariculture diets: A sustainable replacement for fish oil

ABSTRACT

The growth of global aquaculture has put intense pressure on sources of fish oil and fishmeal for aquafeeds. The nutraceuticals industry has added further pressure on fish oils with high Omega-3 fatty acids. GM soybeans could provide substitutes in high Omega-3 soybean oil (STA oil), as well as soy protein concentrate (SPC). This article examines the technological and economic feasibility of substituting STA oil for one-half the fish oil in the diet of Seriola rivoliana, a species often destined for sushi markets. Previous studies have shown that the substitution results in no change in flesh quality or consumer acceptance. We find that the two feed technologies result in essentially identical growth pattern and feed consumption. Economic feasibility depends upon the price of STA oil being lower than the price of fish oil. Based on our market analysis, we estimate that STA oil will enter the market at a price about two-thirds of the fish oil price. The estimated cost savings at these prices are small, a 2.8% reduction in feed costs and 0.9% reduction in total costs. However, the potential global market for STA oil could be as much as 252 thousand metric tons annually, which would require soybean production equivalent to that from 1.63% of current U.S. soybean area.     

Digestibility of energy,lipids and fatty acids of vegetable oils and poultry fat by pacu Piaractus mesopotamicus (Holmberg 1887)

Evaluation of vegetable oils and poultry fat digestibility is the first step to elicit their use in aquafeeds. This work aimed at determining apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of energy, lipids and fatty acids of oil sources for pacu, a widely farmed neotropical Characin. A semipurified, omnivorous fish diet (344.2 g kg^?1 crude protein; 18.16 MJ kg^?1 gross energy) was used as reference diet. Test diets were obtained by adding 2 g kg^?1 chromium III oxide and replacing 15 g kg^?1 reference diet with fish, soybean, colza, corn and flaxseed oils and poultry fat. Juvenile pacu (64 ± 10.8 g; 14.6 ± 1.1 cm) were fed to apparent satiety, four times a day, and then transferred to cylindrical–conical aquaria for collection of faeces by sedimentation (n = 3). Apparent digestibility coefficients of energy and lipids were high for all tested oils (P > 0.05); ADCs of saturated fatty acid (SFA) were lower than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA). Essential fatty acids (18:2n‐6 and 18:3n‐3) had high ADC (>93%), colza oil and poultry fat yielding the lowest ADC for 18:2n‐6 (P = 0.01) and 18:3n‐3 (P < 0.01), respectively. Corn oil, soybean oil and flaxseed oil were interesting sources of 18:2n‐6 and 18:3n‐3 dietary fatty acids for pacu.     

Effects of enriched Artemia by fish and soybean oils supplemented with vitamin E on growth performance,lipid peroxidation,lipase activity and fatty acid composition of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of enriched Artemia by fish and soybean oils supplemented with vitamin E on growth performance, lipid peroxidation, lipase activity and fatty acid composition of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) larvae. For this purpose, five experimental diets including non‐enriched Artemia (control diet), Artemia enriched with soybean oil supplemented with 15% and 30% vitamin E (S15 and S30 diets) and fish oil supplemented with 15% and 30% vitamin E (F15 and F30 diets) were used. The larvae were fed to apparent satiation four times per day for 22 days. The results indicated that fish fed enriched Artemia had no significant differences compared with those fed non‐enriched Artemia in terms of growth and survival, but increase in vitamin E levels from 15 to 30% improved growth performance of larvae. Vitamin E content in fish fed S15 and S30 diets was significantly higher. Fish fed non‐enriched Artemia had significantly higher thiobarbituric acid and lower lipase activity. The highest HUFA and n‐3/n‐6 ratio were observed in fish fed F15 and F30 diets. Our results demonstrated that fish oil can completely replace with soybean oil in larval diets. Therefore, using S30 diet is recommended for feeding of Persian sturgeon larvae.     

Antioxidant and immune defences of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) offered plant oils differing in fatty acid profiles from early stages

The antioxidant defence and immune response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) that had received plant oils, rich in either n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; linseed oil) or n‐6 PUFA (safflower oil) was evaluated upon antigen exposure. The fish employed in this study had been offered the diets for 18 months from the first feeding. Rainbow trout from each group were injected intraperitoneally with formalin‐killed bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) or were sham‐injected and observations were made 24 h later. Though the fish fed safflower oil seemed to be under relatively greater oxidative stress, the antioxidant defences (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) were as effective as in those fed linseed oil. The humoral (alternate complement activity and lysozyme activity) and cellular (phagocytic activity and lymphocyte proliferation) immune responses were not significantly affected by the oil offered. With the exception of reactive oxygen production that was significantly greater in the linseed oil fed fish, both groups did not differ greatly in their immune responses after antigen exposure. Thus, fish fed safflower oil that was deficient in n‐3 PUFA was able to sustain most of the critical responses similar to those fed linseed oil suggesting that plant oils of both fatty acid categories were effective for this fresh water fish.     

Nanoemulsion from essential oil of Pterodon emarginatus (Fabaceae) shows in vitro efficacy against monogeneans of Colossoma macropomum (Pisces: Serrasalmidae)

Outbreaks of diseases pose a major threat to sustainable aquaculture development worldwide. Application of herbal products to combat parasitic diseases provides an alternative approach for sustainable aquaculture. This study investigated the in vitro antiparasitic effects of an oil‐in‐water nanoemulsion prepared using the essential oil from Pterodon emarginatus, against monogeneans infesting Colossoma macropomum. Gill arches from C. macropomum (47.6 ± 14.5 g and 13.5 ± 1.4 cm) that were naturally parasitized by Anacanthorus spathulatus, Notozothecium janauachensis and Mymarothecium boegeri were immersed in different dispersions of the P. emarginatus nanoemulsions (0, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/L). The major compounds presented in the essential oil of P. emarginatus were β‐elemene, β‐caryophyllene and α‐humulene. Characterization of these nanoemulsions showed that they have a small mean droplet size and low polydispersity index, which is concordant with stable systems. In this in vitro trial, the P. emarginatus nanoemulsion concentrations of 100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/L presented 100% helminthic efficacy against monogeneans of the gills of C. macropomum. The highest two concentrations used (400 and 600 mg/L) were seen to immobilize the parasites after only 15 min. Therefore, it would be worthwhile testing these concentrations in therapeutic baths against monogeneans of C. macropomum.