Essential oil of Lippia alba in the diet of Macrobrachium rosenbergii : Effects on antioxidant enzymes and growth parameters

The juveniles of Macrobrachium rosenbergii (0.060 ± 0.004 g and 2.018 ± 0.071 cm) were fed during 60 days with diets containing different doses of Lippia alba essential oil (EOLA) (0.0—control, 1.0, or 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet; in triplicate, with 20 prawns/replicate). After the experimental period, were verified the survival, growth parameters and the antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation and Na/K‐ATPase activities in hepatopancreas and gills, respectively, of the animals. There were no significant differences on survival, growth parameters and gill Na/K‐ATPase activity. However, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione‐ S ‐transferase activities were lower in hepatopancreas of prawns fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to the control. Moreover, the activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase was higher in hepatopancreas of prawns that received 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet compared to those fed with 1.0 ml EOLA/kg diet. Although the addition of both EOLA doses has not improved the survival and growth parameters of M. rosenbergii , these doses contributed to decrease lipid peroxidation. Additionally, the dose of 2.0 ml EOLA/kg diet contributed for increasing the antioxidant enzymes activities in the hepatopancreas, improving antioxidant status, and therefore, it can be recommended as diet supplementation for M. rosenbergii .