EFFECTS OF LEAF (MORINGA OLEIFERA) EXTRACTS ON BACTERIA (AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA) INFECTED ADULTS AFRICAN MUD CAT FISH CLARIAS GARIEPINUS (BURCHELL, 1822)

Ayofe M Hammed, Albert O Amosu, Adekunle F Awe and Folashade K Gbadamosi
 
 Department of Fisheries
 Faculty of Sciences
 Lagos State University
 P.O. Box 0001, LASU Post office, Ojo, Lagos,
 Nigeria.
 amhammed2001@yahoo.com

The knowledge of medicinal plants in fish pathology is important in order to have a clear understanding of reducing huge aquaculture loss. Investigation into the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on bacteria (Aeromonas hydrophila) infected adult African mud cat fish (Clarias gariepinus) was conducted using 20 infected adults fish and treated with M. oleifera leaf extract at concentrations of  25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. Blood samples were collected from fish in replicate and analyzed for haematological parameters vis-à-vis Haemoglobin (Hb), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), Mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), Neutrophil (N), Lymphocyte (L), Packed cell volume (PCV), Red blood cell (RBC) and White blood cell (WBC).

It was observed that upon inoculation with A. hydrophila, all the haematological indices deviated to an abnormal range due to the inhibitory effects of the bacteria on the fishes. Results indicated no significant differences (P<0.05) among the parameters except WBC (700 ±442.7) which shows significant difference at 50% treatment with M. oleifera extract. Infected fish (610 ± 334.8) respond to treatment better at 50% concentration M. oleifera leaf extract (Figure 1).

Research finding indicated no significant differences (P<0.05) among the parameters except WBC (700 ±442.7) which shows significant difference at 50% treatment with M. oleifera extract. Infected fish (Figure 2) respond to treatment better at 50% concentration Moringa oleifera leaf extract. This research finding is of great importance to fish farmers, serving as indicators of the physiological status and helping to prevent and control pathologies related to stress. The study revealed that C. gariepinus infected with bacteria (Aeromonas sp.) can be effectively treated with M. oleifera leaf extract at 50% concentration without adverse effect.