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The contribution of medicinal plants to tilapia aquaculture: a review

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Abstract

Tilapias are the most farmed tropical fish species in the world, and production globally was about 4.5 million tons in 2013 and is predicted to exceed 6.6 million tons by 2030. The emergence of diseases has led to significant loss to tilapia aquaculture over the years. Medicinal plants have been known for use in treating some human diseases and studied in aquaculture to find safe and eco-friendly compounds that are suitable alternatives to the use of antibiotics and chemical compounds. Several parts including seeds, roots, flowers, leaves, and their extracts have been applied in tilapia aquaculture, administrated to fish through injection, immersion, and oral. The biological activities of medicinal plants include enhancement of growth and feed utilization, stimulation of the cellular and humoral immune response, gene expression, and increased disease resistance in tilapia. Despite the potential contribution of medicinal plants, there are some drawbacks including few commercially available medicinal products, no precise data on optimal dose requirements, lack of toxicity studies, and inadequate data on the effects of medicinal plants at the molecular level. This article describes the role of medicinal plants and their forms used to improve growth, feed utilization, immune response, and disease resistance as well as the prospects of medicinal plants in tilapia aquaculture.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Yishan Lu, Wang Zhiwen, Michael E. Sakyi and Denicia Atujona for providing some literature to enrich this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Fisheries, Guangdong Ocean University, Huguang Yan East, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China

    Felix K.A. Kuebutornye

  2. Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Biology and Epidemiology for Aquatic Animals, Zhanjiang, 524088, China

    Felix K.A. Kuebutornye

  3. Guangdong Key Laboratory of Control for Diseases of Aquatic Economic Animals, Zhanjiang, 524088, China

    Felix K.A. Kuebutornye

  4. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box TL 1882, Nyankpala Campus, Tamale, Ghana

    Emmanuel Delwin Abarike

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  1. Felix K.A. Kuebutornye
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E.D. Abarike conceived the idea while F.K.A. Kuebutornye gathered most of the literature found in the manuscript. Both authors wrote various parts of the manuscript, and both proofread it before first submission.

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Correspondence to Emmanuel Delwin Abarike.

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Kuebutornye, F.K., Abarike, E.D. The contribution of medicinal plants to tilapia aquaculture: a review. Aquacult Int 28, 965–983 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-020-00506-3

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