Effect of medicinal plants on the survival of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) challenged with WSSV and Vibrio parahaemoly ticus

Abstract

Survival was investigated in Penaeus vannamei fed with powdered plants (PP: garlic, echinacea, ginger, and basil) and challenged with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus by ingestion and immersion, respectively. PP was added to commercial feed at a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 g kg -1 . The infection with both pathogens was made at the same time. Shrimp fed with PP (4 g kg feed -1 ) at different frequencies showed higher survival (96.7%) as compared to the positive control group not fed with PP (6.7%). WSSV prevalence in live and dead shrimp was similar in all treatments challenged with both pathogens varying from 33.3 to 55%. PP protects shrimp against WSSV and V. parahaemolyticus . Therefore, further research about the effect of PP is necessary for commercial shrimp farms.