The use of Ocimum gratissimum L. essential oil during the transport of Lophiosilurus alexandri: Water quality, hematology, blood biochemistry and oxidative stress

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of the essential oil of Ocimum gratissimum L. (EOOG) on water quality, blood characteristics and tissue damage during transport of Lophiosilurus alexandri. One hundred and sixty juveniles of L. alexandri (123.44 ± 1.95 g and 23.71 ± 1.95 cm) were fasted for 24 h before transportation. Fish were then submitted to one of three treatments of transport water with five replicates each: 0 (control), 5 and 10 mg/L EOOG. The animals were transported for 4 h in plastic bags at a density of 1 juvenile/L and 10 animals per bag. The ventilatory frequency of one fish from each bag was determined after 3 h of transport by direct observation and counting of opercular beats. Blood, brain and liver samples were collected prior to (basal group) and at the end of transport from 10 animals each. Blood aliquots were used to determine hematocrit and hemoglobin, total plasma protein, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels. Samples of liver and brain were used to determine parameters and oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl formation). No mortality was observed 24 h after transport. The addition of EOOG to transport water appeared to reduce animal metabolism, thus ensuring higher dissolved oxygen and lower ammonia levels. Juveniles transported with 10 mg/L EOOG also had reduced opercular beats, lower levels of hemoglobin and blood aspartate aminotransferase and glucose. This concentration also reduced lipid and protein oxidation levels in tissues, thereby avoiding lipid peroxidation and the formation of carbonyl protein. The use of 10 mg/L EOOG during transport promotes a sedative effect in L. alexandri, with reduced oxygen consumption, ammonia excretion and biochemical changes and enhanced protection against oxidative damage.