Open AccessEffect of propolis extract on the parasite load of Nile tilapias reared in cages
Author(s) -
Elder Luis Buck,
Ivone Yurika Mizubuti,
Felipe Pinheiro de Souza,
Ricardo Pereira Ribeiro,
Luiz Alexandre Filho,
Graciela Bracchini,
Odimári Pricila Prado-Calixto,
Angela Rocio Poveda-Parra,
Nelson Maurício Lopera-Barrero
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
semina. ciências agrárias
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.268
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 1679-0359
pISSN - 1676-546X
DOI - 10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n3p1615
Subject(s) - nile tilapia , propolis , oreochromis , parasite hosting , biology , parasite load , zoology , fillet (mechanics) , veterinary medicine , food science , fishery , fish <actinopterygii> , immune system , immunology , medicine , materials science , world wide web , computer science , composite material
Due to increase in demand for healthy and chemical residue-free products, natural therapeutic substances are being enhanced in fish cultivation. Current study evaluates in an unprecedented way (he effect of propolis on the parasite charge of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in fish cages. Six hundred male Nile tilapia (200g) conditioned in ten 1 m3 cages were used. Two treatments with five replications each were provided: TCON: control (extruded meal without propolis) and TPRO: extruded meal with 4% propolis extract. Parasite collection occurred on 0, 35, 70 and 105 days. At the same time, fillet was weighed and fish standard length measured. Temperature was kept within the comfort range for the species during the experimental period ( > 25ºC). Trichodinids and Monogenoids (Dactylogyridae) were detected in the two treatments. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) in mean parasite intensity (total parasites/specimens with parasites) and abundance (total parasites/examined specimens) among treatments in the four evaluation periods. Lowest parasite prevalence occurred after 70 days in TPRO (26.66%). There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) among treatments with regard to fillet weight and standard length of fish. Results show that propolis extract 4% did not significantly affect parasite load, fillet weight and standard length of Nile tilapia.