Anesthetic potential of essential oils from Brazilian native plants in Rhamdia quelen juveniles (silver catfish)

Abstract

The sedative and anesthetic actions of several essential oils (EO) on fish have been demonstrated, stimulating the search for new options for natural anesthetics. This work evaluated the safety and sedative and anesthetic efficacy of EOs from three native Brazilian plants, Acmella oleracea (jambu), Aloysia hatschbachii and Cordia verbenacea (whale herb) in juvenile Rhamdia quelen (silver catfish). Anesthetic induction and recovery protocols (20 to 400 mg L-1) and long exposure (48 h) from 10 to 100 mg L-1 were tested. The EOs performed sedative and/or anesthetic activities: AOOi at a concentration of 20 mg L-1, AOOl at 50 and 100 mg L-1, AHOl, and CVOL (only sedation) 50 mg L-1, as there were no important adverse effects and/or mortality. The results obtained indicate that Cordia verbenacea EO is the most promising as a sedative for juvenile silver catfish at a concentration of 50 mg L-1.