Evaluating the use of garlic (Allium sativum) for the remedy of Cryptocaryon irritans in guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Ji Hyun Kim, Sophie Fridman, Hamutal Borochov-Neori, Tamar Sinai, Dina Zilberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to possess antimicrobial properties against a range of disease-causing agents, including fish parasites. Our study aimed to investigate the potential use of garlic as a treatment against Cryptocaryon irritans infection, using guppies (Poecilia reticulata) as the fish model. Garlic was freeze-dried, powdered, and used as it is or as an aqueous extract. The content of allicin, its main active ingredient, was 1.25 mg/g in garlic powder and 0.82 mg/ml in the aqueous extract, as determined by HPLC analysis. Aqueous garlic extract fully immobilized C. irritans theronts and protomonts within 20 and 40 min, respectively, following exposure to 5 µl/ml. Treatment trials were performed, in which infected fish were fed with garlic powder-supplemented feeds (5%, 10%, or 20% supplementation), bathed in garlic aqueous extract (250 or 500 µl/L) and subjected to a combined treatment which included both feeding and bathing. Results revealed that the tested treatments failed to cure the infection, though reduction in infection intensity on the caudal fin, but not on the gills, was evident following dietary supplementation with 20% of powdered garlic in one of the trials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)431-438
Number of pages8
JournalAquaculture Research
Volume50
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2019

Keywords

  • Cryptocaryon irritans
  • feeding
  • garlic
  • guppies
  • immersion
  • treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aquatic Science

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