Evaluation of Citrus limon peels essential oil on growth performance, immune response of Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus challenged with Edwardsiella tarda

• Published in: Aquaculture 2016-12, Vol.465, p.13-18
• Main Authors: Baba, Esin, Acar, Ümit, Öntaş, Canan, Kesbiç, Osman Sabri, Yılmaz, Sevdan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquaculture; Citrus limon; Dietary supplements; Edwardsiella tarda; Essential oil; Feed science; Gram-negative bacteria; Immunity; Immunology; Oreochromis mossambicus; Physical growth; Tilapia
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2016.08.023

The present study was carried on to determine the effects of Citrus limon peel essential oil as feed supplement on non-specific immune system, disease resistance against Edwardsiella tarda and growth performance in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus). Fish were randomly distributed at 25 fish per 50L aquariums and fed with commercial diets supplemented with different ratios (0% for the control group and then 0.5%, 0.75% and 1%) of limon essential oil for 60days. At the end of the feeding trial, immunological, biochemical and biometrical parameters were assessed. Also following 60days of feeding, the fish were injected with E. tarda and mortalities were recorded. Results showed that C. limon peel essential oil supplementation diet enhanced the Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) positive cell count and total white blood cell (WBC) in tilapia. At the same time a significant change was found in the lysozyme activity and myeloperoxidase activity in serum. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides decreased while total protein increased in the groups fed with C. limon essential oil supplemented diets. All C. limon peel essential oil supplemented groups showed reduced mortalities following E. tarda infection compared with the control group. The results indicated that C. limon peel essential oil supplementation could improve non-specific immune parameters and growth performance and decrease mortality rate of cultured tilapia. This study determined the effects of an Citrus limon peel essential oil on immune system and resistance to disease in tilapia. The using of essential oil in fish diet prevented tilapia partially from edwardsiellosis disease and increase survival rate also enhance the immune response in fish. •Citrus limon peel essential oil as an organic waste show enhancement on immune responce in tilapia.•Increasing disease resistant against Edwardsiella tarda fish pathogen.•Short term application of Citrus limon peel extract gave a valuable result for fish farms.•Essential oil to be used for fish fed will be produced economically cheaper than those of other plants.