Evaluation of the Efficacy of Garlic (Allium sativum) and Sesame (Sesamum indicum) Extracts Compared with Malachite Green and Cycloheximide Against Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Infected with Saprolegnia Species

Abstract

Saprolegniasis caused by Saprolegnia species is a major fungal disease affecting fish in aquaculture systems, and it leads to significant economic losses due to its detrimental effects on both fish health and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) bulbs and sesame (Sesamum indicum) seeds ethanol extracts as natural antifungal agents, comparing their performance with the chemical antifungals malachite green and cycloheximide in treating saprolegniasis in common carp (Cyprinus carpio). The extracts were screened for their phytochemical properties. The fungal pathogen was isolated and identified from infected fish using microscopic and macroscopic methods. The efficacy of the chemical antifungals and the extracts (at different concentrations) was analyzed using in vitro and in vivo studies. Flavonoids and phenolic acids were the most abundant phytochemicals isolated from the extracts. The results showed significant differences (p < .05) for all treatments compared to the control group. Garlic extract at 200 mg/L was the most effective among the plant extract treatments, reducing fungal growth by 90% and improving survival rates by 85% compared to the control group. Sesame extract at 200 mg/L reduced fungal growth by 80% and improved survival rates by 70% compared to the control group. These results suggest the potential use of these plant extracts (garlic bulbs and sesame seeds) as a safe and sustainable alternative for treating fungal diseases in aquaculture. Cite this article as: Al-Dulaimi, F. K. Y., Al-Tarjuman, J. K., Abdullah, D. A., Ola-Fadunsin, S. D., & Gimba, F. I. (2026). Evaluation of the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) extracts compared with malachite green and cycloheximide against common carp (Cyprinus carpio) infected with saprolegnia species. Acta Veterinaria Eurasia, 52, 0208, doi:10.5152/actavet.2026.25208.