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Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture
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Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture

A special issue of Fishes (ISSN 2410-3888). This special issue belongs to the section "Welfare, Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 6500

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Ronald Kennedy Luz

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Guest Editor
Laboratório de Aquacultura da Escola de Veterinária da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte 6627, MG, Brazil
Interests: recirculating aquaculture system; aquaponic systems; larviculture and reproduction of freshwater fish; fish phisiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Baldisserotto

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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil
Interests: physiology; osmoregulation; anesthesia; antibacterials; culture of tropical freshwater fish
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing activities in the world. Its production aims to meet the market demand for both protein consumers and live and ornamental fish. Due to this growth, intensive production systems are increasingly being used, and there is a need for management procedures, such as biometrics and transportation, that can compromise the performance and welfare of aquatic organisms. Therefore, it is necessary to search for products that can be used in aquaculture to improve welfare and reduce stress. The use of natural essential oils is a trend, since they can act to promote health, growth, and improve metabolism by acting as immunostimulants, in addition to having antimicrobial and antifungal activity. They can also be used as anesthetics during handling or as a sedative in the transportation of live animals, improving water quality and reducing stress. The use of essential oils can also be a great alternative to the use of commercial and conventional products, such as medicines, that can cause environmental contamination. Therefore, the search for natural essential oils that can be used in aquaculture is necessary and fundamental for a safer and more sustainable activity.

Dr. Ronald Kennedy Luz
Prof. Dr. Bernardo Baldisserotto
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Fishes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • welfare
  • safe management
  • transportation
  • growth
  • anesthetic
  • stress

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 2597 KB  
Article
Aniseed, Thyme, and Basil Essential Oils as Functional Feed Additives for Common Carp in Recirculating Systems
by Marian Burducea, Mircea Lazăr, Cristina Mihaela Rîmbu, Cristina Horhogea, Lenuța Dîrvariu, Dana Andreea Serban, Elena Todirascu-Ciornea, Gabriela Dumitru, Ivayla Dincheva and Cristian-Alin Barbacariu
Fishes 2026, 11(1), 11; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11010011 - 25 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 621
Abstract
This study examined the effects of dietary aniseed, thyme, and basil essential oils (EOs) on growth, health, and tissue integrity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Juvenile carp (102 ± 2.8 g) were fed for [...] Read more.
This study examined the effects of dietary aniseed, thyme, and basil essential oils (EOs) on growth, health, and tissue integrity of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Juvenile carp (102 ± 2.8 g) were fed for 12 weeks four isonitrogenous diets: a control and three diets supplemented with 0.2% aniseed (V1), thyme (V2), or basil (V3) oils. Growth performance was not significantly affected (p > 0.05). Flesh biochemical composition improved, with higher protein in V1 (17.85 ± 0.22%) and lower fat in V3 (1.78 ± 0.21%) compared to the control. Hematological parameters and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx) indicated enhanced immune and oxidative status, while MDA (malondialdehyde) levels decreased. SOD activity increased in treated groups, reaching 4.329 U mg−1 protein in muscle and 4.908 U mg−1 protein in liver in V2, compared to 2.775–3.677 U mg−1 protein (muscle) and 3.508–4.349 U mg−1 protein (liver) in controls. CAT activity was highest in the same group 57.045 U mg−1 protein versus 31.403 U mg−1 protein in controls. Microbiological assessment revealed reduced total aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae counts in EO-fed fish. Histological analysis showed healthier hepatic and intestinal structures, reduced vacuolation, intact epithelium, and abundant goblet cells in EO-treated groups. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture)
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22 pages, 1944 KB  
Article
Supplementation of Sage (Salvia officinalis) Essential Oil in Balanced Diets for Tropical Gar (Atractosteus tropicus) Larvae on Digestive and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities and Expression of Immune System Genes
by Yuliana Jiménez-León, Luis Daniel Jiménez-Martínez, Susana De La Rosa-García, Cesar Antonio Sepúlveda-Quiróz, Rafael Martínez-García, Graciela María Pérez-Jiménez, Otilio Méndez-Marín, Gloria Gertrudys Asencio-Alcudia and Carlos Alfonso Álvarez-González
Fishes 2025, 10(11), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10110586 - 14 Nov 2025
Viewed by 763
Abstract
The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) has significant ecological, economic, and cultural importance in southeast Mexico, where aquaculture is increasing and fish are frequently exposed to stress. In this sense, feed additives such as sage (Salvia officinalis) strengthen organisms’ growth, [...] Read more.
The tropical gar (Atractosteus tropicus) has significant ecological, economic, and cultural importance in southeast Mexico, where aquaculture is increasing and fish are frequently exposed to stress. In this sense, feed additives such as sage (Salvia officinalis) strengthen organisms’ growth, immune systems, antioxidant capacities, and digestive capabilities. A 30-day experiment was conducted on larvae to determine the effect of different concentrations of sage essential oil (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% treatments) supplemented in balanced diets. Significant differences (p < 0.05) between 0.5% and 2% sage oil supplement treatments for average weight were found. The highest acid and alkaline proteases, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, amylase, and lipase activities were obtained for the sage oil-supplemented treatments. In contrast, trypsin showed the highest activity for treatment 0%, followed by diets with 0.5% and 2% sage oil. Regarding the antioxidant enzymatic activity for GPx, CAT and SOD, the highest activity was obtained in the diet with 1% sage oil, while in PEROx, the highest activity was recorded in the treatment with 0%, 1.5% and 2% S. officinalis supplementation. On the other hand, for relative gene expression, the highest expression was observed in sage-supplemented treatments for the nod, zo-1, zo-2, and occ genes. In contrast, the lowest expression was found in supplemented treatments for the il-10 and muc2 genes. These findings suggest that incorporating sage essential oil into the diets of tropical gar larvae, particularly at concentrations of 1.66% and 1.77%, holds potential for enhancing aquaculture practices for this important species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture)
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21 pages, 672 KB  
Article
Short-Term Feeding with Hesperozygis ringens Essential Oil Modulates Transportation-Induced Physiological Responses in Colossoma macropomum
by Thamara Bentivole Magalhães, Wagner Junio de Freitas Martins, Sidney dos Santos Silva, Imaculada de Morais Carvalho Ananias, Nárcia Carolina Santos da Silva, Gisele Cristina Favero, Sharine Nunes Descovi, Bernardo Baldisserotto, Carlos Garrido Pinheiro, Berta Maria Heinzmann and Ronald Kennedy Luz
Fishes 2025, 10(10), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10100532 - 19 Oct 2025
Viewed by 732
Abstract
Hesperozygis ringens essential oil (HREO), rich in pulegone and limonene, has potential application in aquaculture due to its beneficial properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with HREO (0.0, 0.75, 1.0, and 2.0 g HREO kg feed−1) for 30 [...] Read more.
Hesperozygis ringens essential oil (HREO), rich in pulegone and limonene, has potential application in aquaculture due to its beneficial properties. This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with HREO (0.0, 0.75, 1.0, and 2.0 g HREO kg feed−1) for 30 days on the physiological responses of Colossoma macropomum before and after a simulated 4 h transport. Fish were sampled at four time points: before transport (Basal), immediately after transport (IAT), and at 24 h (AT24) and 48 h (AT48) post-transport. Growth performance and survival (>96%) were not affected by HREO. Hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and intestinal coefficient showed significant responses to dietary HREO. After transport, survival was 100% for all treatments, and hematological and biochemical parameters varied according to dose and recovery time, with 2.0 g HREO kg feed−1 showing the most consistent benefits, such as stabilization of hemoglobin, MCHC, and plasma proteins during recovery at AT24 and AT48. Water quality parameters did not differ between treatments at transportation end. These findings suggest that dietary HREO may contribute to enhance the physiological responses to transport in C. macropomum, supporting its potential use as a sustainable nutritional strategy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture)
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18 pages, 14389 KB  
Article
Mechanisms of Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Essential Oil on Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Hybrid Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus♂) During Keep Live Transport
by Ming Yuan, Jingjing Wang, Jun Mei and Jing Xie
Fishes 2025, 10(9), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090436 - 2 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 963
Abstract
Anesthesia has emerged as a critical strategy for maintaining fish viability during transport, with natural anesthetics gaining increasing attention in recent research. The active ingredients in Laurus nobilis L. have antioxidant effects and reduce cell apoptosis. Studies have shown that they can upregulate [...] Read more.
Anesthesia has emerged as a critical strategy for maintaining fish viability during transport, with natural anesthetics gaining increasing attention in recent research. The active ingredients in Laurus nobilis L. have antioxidant effects and reduce cell apoptosis. Studies have shown that they can upregulate expression of Nrf2 in mitochondrial biosynthetic factors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of laurel (Laurus nobilis) essential oil on oxidative stress and apoptosis mechanisms during the live transport of hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus♀ × E. lanceolatus♂). The addition of laurel essential oil during transport activated the Nrf2-Keap1 antioxidant pathway, resulting in up-regulated expression of catalase (cat) and superoxide dismutase (sod) genes. This led to increased enzymatic activity and reduced levels of oxidative stress markers. The mitigation of oxidative stress contributed to physiological stability by downregulating apoptotic gene expression (Bax, Caspase 8), reducing gill and liver tissue damage, and lowering the activity of hepatocyte damage markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Metabolomic analysis revealed several key metabolic pathways affected during transport, with the FoxO signaling pathway demonstrating the most significant impact. Within this pathway, reduced glutamate levels appeared to inhibit apoptosis, while decreased ADP and AMP levels potentially influenced antioxidant capacity. The addition of laurel essential oil to transport water proved beneficial in reducing biochemical markers of stress responses in hybrid grouper during keep live transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture)
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12 pages, 655 KB  
Article
Short-Term Anesthesia with Clove Oil and Propofol: Physiological Responses in Persian Sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)
by Milad Adel, Seyed Pezhman Hosseini Shekarabi, Piotr Gomułka, Alireza Babaalian Amiri, Cristiana Roberta Multisanti and Caterina Faggio
Fishes 2025, 10(6), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes10060286 - 11 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2475
Abstract
Anesthesia is commonly used in sturgeon aquaculture to reduce stress and pain during handling and procedures. This study compared the effects of clove oil (rich in eugenol) and propofol—an anesthetic widely used in human and veterinary medicine—on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) [...] Read more.
Anesthesia is commonly used in sturgeon aquaculture to reduce stress and pain during handling and procedures. This study compared the effects of clove oil (rich in eugenol) and propofol—an anesthetic widely used in human and veterinary medicine—on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) fingerlings. A total of 405 fish (6.88 ± 0.90 g) were exposed to varying concentrations of clove oil (25, 50, 75, 100 mg L−1), propofol (10.0, 12.5, 25.0, 50 mg L−1), or no anesthetic (control) in triplicate. Hematocrit and monocyte levels remained unchanged across treatments, but the highest doses of both anesthetics significantly reduced leukocyte percentages (p = 0.049 and p = 0.043, respectively). While serum enzymes were stable, cortisol levels increased significantly at the highest concentrations of both clove oil (38.92 ± 5.1 ng mL−1; p = 0.001) and propofol (36.48 ± 3.4 ng mL−1; p = 0.035), indicating secondary stress responses. Propofol at 25 mg L−1 showed fast induction and recovery times and induced milder stress compared to clove oil. Overall, short-term anesthesia with both agents triggered physiological stress, but propofol at 25 mg L−1 appeared more suitable for minimizing adverse effects in Persian sturgeon fingerlings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Use of Essential Oils in Aquaculture)
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