Toxicity assessment and anti-Vibrio activity of essential oils: Potential for application in shrimp aquaculture

This present paper aimed to review the past 4 years (2019-2022), the inhibition of Vibrio spp. (including Vibrio's causing AHPND) by EOs, as well as the potential toxicity of the EOs towards crustaceans, with an emphasis on Artemia spp. In the present review, 27 EOs from terrestrial plants are reported regarding their anti-Vibrio activity. Among these 27 studies, Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceae family) were found to be the most numerous. Among the Vibrio spp., V. parahaemolyticus (non-AHPND strain) was mostly researched. There are in total 68 publications about the toxicity of EOs in Artemia spp. Based on the four categories of toxicity towards Artemia (strongly toxic: LC50 < 100 mu g/ml, moderately toxic: LC50:100-500 mu g/ml, weakly toxic: LC50: 500-1000 mu g/ml, and non-toxic: LC50 > 1000 mu g/ml), strong toxicity activity was found in 37 EOs, moderate toxicity in 15 EOs, weak activity for three EO plants and 13 non-toxic extracts. In fact, LC50 values as low as 10.25 and 11.48 mu g/ml were described in Artemisia vulgaris and Euryale ferox, respectively, showing these two plant EOs are strongly toxic to Artemia. Overall, and despite being generally considered eco-friendly and natural products and safer than antibiotics, some of the EOs are toxic to target organisms. Thus, to establish an ecologically safe application of EOs in shrimp aquaculture, the correct use of these plant EOs (in terms of concentrations and duration) in aquaculture should be considered.

Automated summary

This paper reviews the inhibition of Vibrio spp. by essential oils (EOs) and the potential toxicity of EOs towards crustaceans, with a focus on Artemia spp. The study reports 27 EOs from terrestrial plants that show anti-Vibrio activity, with Salvia officinalis and Thymus vulgaris being the most commonly studied. Among Vibrio spp., V. parahaemolyticus (non-AHPND strain) is the most researched. The toxicity of EOs in Artemia spp. is discussed, with 37 EOs showing strong toxicity, 15 EOs showing moderate toxicity, 3 EO plants showing weak activity, and 13 extracts being non-toxic. Some EOs were found to be strongly toxic to Artemia, indicating the need for careful and ecologically safe use in shrimp aquaculture.