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 mu g mL(-1) for L. alba EO and 0.5 and 1.2 mu g 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 mu L 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 mu L L-1) was greater than 90%.