USE OF PLANT EXTRACT AND PROBIOTICS IN PREVENTING PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA INFECTION IN CLARIAS GARIEPINUS

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the use of plant extract and probiotics (Bacillus subtilis) in preventing bacterial infection in Clarias gariepinus. 120 post-juvenile C. gariepinus were challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and neem leaves extract and B. subtilis were administered concurrently with the infected fish for fourteen days. Clinical signs and mortality were the parameters measured to observe if fresh aqueous neem leaves extract and Bacillus subtilis can prevent P. aeruginosa infection in C. gariepinus. Lesions were more in group infected with P. aeruginosa bacterial only, while lesions were absent to minimal in groups treated with neem extract and Bacillus subtilis. Mortality rate of P. aeruginosa infected group was 30%, while those treated with neem extract and Bacillus subtilis groups were 10 and 5% respectively. Both neem leave extract and B. subtilis were able to prevent P. aeruginosa infection in C. gariepinus base on the clinical sign observed, but mortality rate was higher in group administered with neem than group administered with Bacillus.