Mauro Alves da Cunha

Anesthesia of silver catfish with eugenol: time of induction, cortisol response and sensory analysis of fillet

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar o tempo de inducao e recuperacao anestesica de jundias (Rhamdia quelen) expostos ao eugenol, bem como a eficacia desse anestesico na inibicao do estresse e realizar analise sensorial dos files dos peixes expostos a essa substância. Os jundias foram expostos ao ar por um minuto para realizacao da biometria, e o sangue foi coletado zero, uma e quatro horas depois. O eugenol pode ser usado na faixa de 20-50mg L-1 para a inducao da anestesia em jundias, e o tempo de recuperacao da anestesia nao foi afetado pela concentracao do eugenol. O grupo de controle mostrou niveis significativamente mais elevados do cortisol quatro horas apos a biometria que no tempo zero. Os peixes anestesiados com eugenol (50mg L-1) apresentaram niveis significativamente mais baixos do cortisol plasmatico do que peixes do grupo de controle do mesmo tempo. Esses dados indicam que o eugenol inibe o aumento do cortisol no sangue. O teste sensorial demonstrou que o eugenol modifica o sabor dos files e consequentemente e contra-indicado para a anestesia do jundia quando o file for destinado ao consumo humano.

The anesthetic efficacy of eugenol and the essential oils of Lippia alba and Aloysia triphylla in post-larvae and sub-adults of Litopenaeus vannamei (Crustacea, Penaeidae)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anesthesia induction and recovery times of sub-adult and post-larvae white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) that were treated with eugenol and the essential oils (EOs) from Lippia alba and Aloysia triphylla. Oxidative stress parameters in the hemolymph of this species were also analyzed. The concentrations of eugenol, A. triphylla EO and L. alba EO recommended for anesthesia were 200, 300 and 750 μL L(-1) for sub-adults and 175, 300 and 500 μL L(-1) for post-larvae, respectively. The concentrations studied during the transport of sub-adults were between 20 and 50 μL L(-1) eugenol, 20-30 μL L(-1)A. triphylla EO and 50 μL L(-1)L. alba EO. For post-larvae, the optimal concentrations for transport were 20 μL L(-1) eugenol and between 20 and 50 μL L(-1)A. triphylla EO. The white shrimp sub-adults that were exposed to A. triphylla EO (20 μL L(-1)) showed increases in their total antioxidant capacities (150%), catalase (70%) and glutathione-S-transferase (615%) activity after 6 h. L. alba EO (50 μL L(-1)) and eugenol (20 μL L(-1)) also increased GST activity (1292 and 1315%) after 6 h, and eugenol (20 μL L(-1)) decreased the total antioxidant capacity (100%). Moreover, concentrations above 30 μL L(-1) for the EOs of A. triphylla and L. alba and 20 μL L(-1) eugenol were effective at inducing anesthesia and improving the antioxidant system against reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 6 h.

Anesthetic activity of Brazilian native plants in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

There is an increasing demand for inexpensive and safe anesthetics that can reduce fish stress caused by some procedures such as capture and handling. In this context, the present study evaluated the potential of essential oils (EO) of three Brazilian native plants (Hesperozygis ringens, Lippia sidoides and Ocotea acutifolia) as anesthetics for the silver catfish - Rhamdia quelen. Moreover, an analysis was made of the chemical composition of these oils and their influence on stress parameter. EO of H. ringens and O. acutifolia were effective as anesthetics, without behavioral side effects. EO of O. acutifolia (150 µL L-1) promoted an increase in blood glucose level. Regarding to the composition, pulegone accounts for 96.63% of the EO of H. ringens, and caryophyllene oxide amounts to 56.90% of the EO of O. acutifolia. Two chemotypes, thymol and carvacrol (68.40% and 67.89%, respectively) were verified for EO of L. sidoides. Both samples of EO of L. sidoides showed anesthetic activity in silver catfish, but exposure also caused loss of mucus and mortality. Thus, only the EO of H. ringens and O. acutifolia are advised for anesthetic use

Anesthetic induction and recovery of Hippocampus reidi exposed to the essential oil of Lippia alba

The aim of this study was to identify the times of anesthetic induction and recovery in slender seahorses (Hippocampus reidi) that were exposed to the essential oil of Lippia alba (EO), as well as the efficacy of EO as a stress-reducing agent in the transport of this species. Slender seahorses were placed in 1-L aquaria containing different concentrations of EO (0, 10, 20, 50, 150, 300 and 450 µL L-1), and after induction, fish were transferred to aquaria that were free of anesthetic to evaluate their recovery time. In an additional experiment, slender seahorses were transported in plastic bags with 15 µL L-1 of EO for 4 or 24 h. The increased concentration of EO proportionally decreased the time required for the induction of anesthesia. EO treatment (15 µL L-1) inhibited the increase in blood glucose levels that was provoked by transportation for 4 or 24 h. Transportation for 24 h also decreased the number of lymphocytes and increased the neutrophil count, and these effects were avoided with the addition of EO to the water. These results demonstrate that EO was effective as an anesthetic at concentrations of 10-20 µL L-1 for slight sedation and transport and at 150 µL L-1 for deep anesthesia in the slender seahorse.

Efficacy of eugenol and the methanolic extract of Condalia buxifolia during the transport of the silver catfish Rhamdia quelen

This study evaluated extracts of Condalia buxifolia as anesthetics for the silver catfish Rhamdia quelen. The effectiveness of eugenol and of the methanolic extract (ME) of C. buxifolia during the transport of this species was also assessed. Fish of two different weights (1.50±0.02 g and 165.70±22.50 g) were transferred to aquaria containing water with the C. buxifolia ME or with fractions obtained from the ME, such as the n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butane and aqueous fractions, at concentrations from 0-300 °L L-1. The C. buxifolia ME in the 0.5-120 °L L-1range caused only light sedation, and the fractions did not have an effect on the fish. In the second experiment, another group of fish was transported for 12 h in 15 plastic bags. The fish were divided into five groups: control, 1 or 2.5 °L L-1 eugenol and 25 or 50 °L L-1C. buxifolia ME. The non-ionized ammonia levels were lower at the end of transport in the groups with the compounds than in that with water alone. Moreover, both compounds decreased the Na+, Cl-, and K+ net effluxes; therefore, their addition to the water during transport is advisable because they reduce fish mortality and ion loss.

Using the essential oil of Aloysia triphylla (L'Her.) Britton to sedate silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) during transport improved the chemical and sensory qualities of the fish during storage in ice.

UNLABELLED Exposure of silver catfish to 40 μL/L of the essential oil of Aloysia triphylla (AT) during in vivo transport delayed the onset and resolution of rigor mortis as well as the degradation of IMP into HxR compared to the control. The fish that were treated with 30 or 40 μL/L of AT received lower sensory demerit scores after 10 d of storage in ice compared to the control, and the fish that were treated with 40 μL/L of AT had a longer sensory shelf life than did the control. These results indicated that using AT as a sedative in the water in which the silver catfish were transported extended their freshness and increased their shelf life during refrigerated storage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Interest in natural anesthetics, such as Aloysia triphylla, has increased in the field of commercial aquaculture because they reduce the number of fish lesions acquired during capture, handling, and transportation. Fish sedated with the essential oil of A. triphylla at 40 μL/L during transport before slaughter exhibited a delay in the loss of freshness and an increased shelf life in ice. In addition to improving animal welfare before slaughter, the essential oil appears to be a promising product for improving fish conservation in the food industry.

Oxidative stress parameters in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) juveniles infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and maintained at different levels of water pH

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress parameters in the liver, gill and muscle of silver catfish juveniles infected with Ichthyophthirius multifiliis and maintained at pH 5.0 or 7.0 for three days. Juveniles were infected by adding one I. multifiliis-infected juvenile and water containing theronts to tanks. After the appearance of white spots on the skin, infected juveniles exposed to pH 5.0 and 7.0 showed significantly higher thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in the liver and gills compared to uninfected juveniles. Liver of infected juveniles exposed to pH 7.0 showed higher catalase (CAT) and lower glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, but those maintained at pH 5.0 showed significantly higher GST activity than uninfected juveniles. The gills of infected juveniles showed significantly higher CAT (day two) and GST activity at both pH 5.0 and 7.0 compared to uninfected juveniles. Muscle of infected juveniles showed significantly lower CAT and GST activity and TBARS levels (at day three) when maintained at both pH 5.0 and 7.0 compared to uninfected juveniles. In conclusion, I. multifiliis infection induces liver and gill damage via lipid peroxidation products in silver catfish, but higher antioxidant enzyme activity could indicate a greater degree of protection against this parasite.

Crescimento de cordeiros abatidos com diferentes pesos: 2. Constituintes corporais

O experimento foi realizado no Setor de Ovinocultura do Departamento de Zootecnia da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, com o objetivo de determinar o crescimento de orgaos e outros constituintes do corpo de cordeiros, e suas proporcoes em relacao ao peso vivo (PV) e peso de corpo vazio (PCV). Utilizaram-se 22 cordeiros machos inteiros, filhos de carneiros Texel e ovelhas cruzas (Texel x Ideal). Desses, quatro foram abatidos ao nascimento, e os restantes ao desmame e aos 28 e 33kg. A determinacao do crescimento dos constituintes corporais foi realizada atraves de equacoes alometricas, utilizando-se o logaritmo do peso de cada componente corporal, em funcao do logaritmo do PCV. As proporcoes do trato gastrintestinal (TGI), do conjunto de orgaos internos (COI), da gordura interna (GOI) e da carcaca aumentaram com a elevacao do PV e PCV (P<0,05), enquanto que coracao, figado, rins, baco, (pulmao e traqueia), sangue, patas e pele diminuiram suas proporcoes (P<0,05). Os constituintes do corpo apresentaram diferentes ritmos de crescimento. Um grupo foi de desenvolvimento precoce (coracao, rins, pulmoes + traqueia, patas, sangue e cabeca), e outro tardio (rumen, reticulo, omaso e abomaso), TGI e GOI. Os restantes (figado, baco, intestinos, pele e carcaca) cresceram na mesma velocidade que o PCV.

Lippia alba essential oil promotes survival of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) infected with Aeromonas sp.

In vitro and in vivo activity of the Lippia alba essential oil (EO) against Aeromonas sp. was evaluated. In the in vitro assay the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of EO for Aeromonas cells were determined using the microdilution method. Twenty five strains of Aeromonas sp. isolated from infected fish obtained from local fish farms were used. MIC and MBC values were 2862 and 5998 µg mL-1 for L. alba EO and 0.5 and 1.2 µg mL-1 for gentamicin, respectively. In the in vivo assay silver catfish juveniles (Rhamdia quelen) (7.50 ± 1.85 g and 10.0 ± 1.0 cm) with typical injuries associated to Aeromonas infection were divided into four treatments (in triplicate n=10): untreated fish (negative control), 10 mg L-1 of gentamicin, and 20 or 50 µL L-1 of EO. Fish were maintained in aerated 20 L plastic boxes. After 10 days survival of silver catfish infected with Aermonas sp. and treated with essential oil (50 µL L-1) was greater than 90%.

Low water hardness and pH affect growth and survival of silver catfish juveniles

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to low water hardness (0, 25 and 50mg CaCO3L-1) into the 6.0-8.0 pH range to silver catfish juveniles (Rhamdia quelen) survival and growth after 32 days. Juveniles kept at zero water hardness presented higher mortality at pH 7.0 and 8.0 than those submitted to other treatments. Weight of juveniles exposed to pH 6.0 and zero water hardness was significantly higher than those kept at the same water hardness and other pH. Survival and growth of juveniles exposed to 25 and 50mg CaCO3 L-1 was not affected in the 6.0-8.0 pH range. Therefore, the best water hardness for silver catfish juveniles growth is 25-50mg CaCO3 L-1 and at low water hardness (next zero) pH must be reduced.