Exploring Plant-derived Anesthetics for Sustainable Aquaculture Practices
Chonyo Shinglai *
Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Karnataka (575002), India.
Binal Rajeshbhai Khalasi
Department of Aquatic Environment Management, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Karnataka (575002), India.
Prabhutva Chaturvedi
College of Fisheries Science, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University CCSHAU, Hisar - 125004, India.
Khusbu Samal
Department of Aquaculture, College of Fisheries, Mangalore, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar, Karnataka (575002), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Anesthetics are essential in aquaculture to limit stress throughout the handling and motion approaches. Historically, those included chemical anesthetics like ms-222, benzocaine, phenoxyethanol, and quinaldine, which had been extensively used. But those are artificial substances that accumulate in fish tissues and may pose potential risks to the purchasers, and also show negative reactions in fish, together with hyperactivity, mucus secretion, and damage to the gills and cornea. Thus, a growing interest is being directed toward natural alternatives, especially plant-derived essential oils, as safer and eco-friendly anesthetics in aquaculture. Clove oil as an herbal anesthetic is the most widely used among all the plant-derived oils due to its high content of eugenol and other promising plants such as Piper betle, Matricaria chamomilla, Aniba rosaeodora, Coriandrum sativum, Mentha piperita, Lavandula angustifolia, Laurus nobilis, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Ocimium gratissimum. This review aimed at illustrating the anesthetic potential, mechanisms of action, and efficacy of various plant-based essential oils with the end goal of promoting the sustainable use of anesthetics in aquaculture.
Keywords: Aquaculture, herbal anesthesia, essential oils, fish stress, plant derived compounds