EFFECT OF CINNAMON Cinnamomum verum ON Labeo rohita: HEMATOLOGY, AND DISEASE RESISTANCE
The application of phytotherapy is a new method of disease control in aquaculture. The phytobiotics have a wide variety of properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, analgesic, insecticidal, antiparasitic, anticoccidial, growth promoters, appetite enhancement, stimulant of secretion of bile and digestive enzyme activity. Herbal compounds such as phenolics, polyphenols, alkaloids, quinones, terpenoids, lectines and polypeptides have been shown to be very effective alternatives to antibiotics and other synthetic compounds. Cinnamon is a common spice used by different cultures around the world for several centuries. The bark of cinnamon contains 1% to 2% volatile oils, with cinnamaldehyde as the main constituent (65-80%) with strong antibacterial properties and also containing cinnamic acid, coumarin, tannins, cinncassiols and melatonin. The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) on growth and disease resistance of Indian major carp, rohu (Labeo rohita).
Five practical diets containing 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% and 2% cinnamon powder were used to feed fish. After 90 days of feeding, fishes were injected with intraperitoneally with 0.1ml of Aeromonas hydrophila (LD50 = 2.3×107 CFU/ml). The relative percentage survival was 100% in cinnamon fed fishes compared to control. Hematological parameters were examined pre-challenge and post-challenge. Results showed that there is a significant increase (p<0.05) in erythrocyte count, leucocyte count and hemoglobin at 1.5% inclusion level. After challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila hematological parameters were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in control group compared to treated groups.
It could be concluded that incorporation of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) at 1.5% level enhanced all hematological parameters as well as resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection.
