Analysis of the Efficacy of Yucca schidigera Extract for Ammonia Reduction in Freshwater

Abstract

Ammonia is constantly produced, consumed and transformed in aquaculture environments, and can be toxic if allowed to accumulate; hence, the goal of farm managers is to keep it at a minimum in their facilities. This study investigates the potential and efficacy of Yucca schidigera extract (YUPE) for ammonia reduction in freshwater. A dose-response experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different concentrations of YUPE at 0, 18, 36 and 72 mg/l on total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) at 1, 3 and 5 mg/l. The efficacy analysis showed that at higher YUPE concentrations, higher TAN reduction was observed. Likewise, an increase in elapsed time also increased TAN reduction. The fraction of reduced TAN at each elapsed time showed that TAN reduction was highest during 12-24 h, and decreased thereafter at 12-h interval presumably due to exhaustion of YUPE’s efficacy. The efficacy and safety of YUPE for ammonia reduction when compared to other methods, and its natural origin, make YUPE a potential and recommendable candidate for water quality management in freshwater aquaculture.