Enzymes Activities in Clarias gariepinus Infected with Staphlococcus aureus and Treated with Chromolaena odorata Leaves Aqueous Extracts

Introduction

Aquaculture has become the fastest growing fish producing sector in recent times representing up to 50

percent of global fish supply FAO [1], and developing countries are not behind. In Nigeria, aquaculture has become a big business, serving as a source of animal protein to the populace. Due to significant reduction in captured fisheries as a result of over fishing and pollution due to oil exploration, aquaculture is providing about 70% of fish supply in Nigeria. The increase in population, income, and demography over the years has resulted in the increase in fish consumption due to it nutritional value [2]. The most cultured fish species in Nigeria is Clarias gariepinus, hence the species attract significant economic value which makes it a species of debate. Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food-producing sectors around the world and high demand for products has led to employment opportunities in both developed and developing sectors [3]. Aquaculture is the means for obtaining more food from our aquatic environments in the future. impact of aquaculture on the biodiversity arise from the consumption of resources, such as land, water, seed, feed and their transformation into products valued by society [4]. Despite Advances been made within the feed industry, resulting in decreased feed conversion ratios and development of suitable alternatives to fish resources, the aquaculture industry use of global fishmeal and fish oil increased three-fold in recent years [5].

Aquacultural products such as fish and shellfish are open to a wide range of bacterial pathogens Rappert S, et al. [6], which have the capacity to cause diseases [7]. Some of the factors that cause mortality and unproductivity in aquaculture includes: uneaten feeds, fecal and urinary products, chemicals/synthetics, drugs, pathogens etc. [8]. The release of uneaten food, fecal and urinary wastes my lead to eutrophication and oxygen depletion, the magnitude of the impact depending on the type and size of operation and the nature of the ecosystem characteristics and assimilative capacity [9]. In aquaculture, veterinary drugs are commonly used to prevent economic losses related to sanitary short- comings and treat disease outbreaks [10].

Herbal remedies have been used as human therapy for a long time, but there has been relatively little research on the medicinal plants for use against fish bacterial. Herbal drugs can be used not only for human treatment but also for treatment of fish diseases. They are also good growth promoters, stress resistance boosters and preventatives of infections [11]. Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that is responsible for various diseases causing mortality in fresh water fish. Chromolaena odorata leaves have been used for human treatment, but its medicinal values can also be useful in aquaculture. This work is aimed at accessing the medicinal value of Chromolaena odorata aqueous leaves extract on the enzymes and disease resistance of Staphylococcus aureus infected Clarias gariepinus.

Results

The enzymes activities in the experimental after day 3 with S. aureus are shown in Table 1, in the AST (Aspartate transaminase) there was significant difference with the treated group and the untreated group with the control (42 ± 14.73). In the ALT (Alanine Transaminase) there was significant difference (6.76±2.29). The ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) injection with S.aureus (61± 26.66). The ACP (Acid Phosphatase) records in day 3 exposure with S.aureus (0.63 ± 0.32). The variables varies between the control, the untreated, 2ml, 4ml and 6ml. the enzyme activities are higher in the untreated as compared to the treated and control (Table 1). After days 7 of exposure to aqueous C. odorata leave extract, Table 2 the value of AST was significantly higher at 0.0ml, which is the control (43.33±15.88), the value of AST in 2ml increased at day 7, AST decreased in untreated and reduced significant at 4ml and 6ml after exposure to chromolaena odorata (Table 2). The percentage survival rate in Table 3 were significantly higher (p<0.03) in 2.0ml, 4.0ml and 6.0ml (96.67±5.77, 100.00±0.00, 90±10.0 %) compared to infected (10±10.00). The relative survival percentage resistance (RSP) were significantly higher (p<0.03) in all the C. odorata aqueous leave extracts treatments (2.0ml, 4.0ml and 6.0ml/l 100±0.01% each compared to the untreated (0.00±0.00).

Means within column with the same superscripts are not significant different at p>0.05. Table 1: Enzymes Activities in plasma Biochemistry of Clarias garieinus after day three of treatment infected with S aureus.

Means within column with the same superscripts are not significant different at p>0.05. Table 2: Enzymes Activities in plasma Biochemistry of Clarias garieinus after day seven of treatment infected with S aureus.

Means within column with different superscripts are significant different at p<0.05. Table 3: Percentage and relative survival of S.aureus infected C.gariepinus after seven days of exposure to C. odorta aqueous leaves extract.

Discussion

The enzymes activities were higher in the fish after infection compared to the activities before infection. The increase in the enzyme activities in the infected fish was evident to the fact that the function of some internal organs of the fish such as the liver and kidney are malfunctioning [13]. Similar result was obtained by Khalil RH, et al. [14] who reported increase in this enzyme when Anguilla Anguilla was exposed to vibro anguillarium and Rashannasan Ramasamy H, et al. [15] reported an increase in enzyme as problems associated with haemapoetic organs.

However, during the period of treatment the analyzed enzymes reduce in activity up to day 3 and increased gradually at the end of day 7 in the treated group (2.0ml- 6.0ml) but they were not higher than the enzyme activities in the untreated group (0.00ml) except the AST and ALT at the end of day 7. The decrease in the enzyme activities in the treated fish could be as a result of the antibacterial activities of the Chromolaena odorata leave aqueos extract which tends to boast the immune system of the fish Sales CH, et al. [16] or it could be as a result of essential amino acid present in the leaf. This result is similar to Favero MS, et al, [17] reported a reduction in the percentage increase the enzymes in Nile tilapia fed anabaena and infected with A. hydrophila when compared to the untreated. But Liu B, et al. [18] who reported a reduction in AST and ALT activities compared to the control.

At the end of the 7 days experiment the survival rate and disease resistance were higher in the treated group (2.0ml- 6.0ml) of aqueous Chromolaena odorata leaf aqueous extract compared to the untreated group (0.00ml) of aqueous Chromolaena odorata leaf extract. Similar results were reported by Yao J, et al. [19] who observed higher survival percentage and RSP in the bath treatment of grass carp infected with Icthymoltiphilis (white spot disease) in different concentration of Macleayacordata species leave extract and Olusola ES, et al. [20] who observed an improvement in RSP and percentage when C. gariepinus fed with diet of various inclusion of bitter leaves (Veronica amygdalina) and pawpaw (C. papaya) leaves extract which were infected with A. hydrophila. The increase in survival rate and disease resistance could be as a result of the presence of some biotic substances that are antibacterial found in plant extract. Some phytochemicals found in Chromolaena odorata includes; tannis, saponins, phytates.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Staphylococcus aureus has been observed to be infectious bacteria causing diseases such as eye protrution and mort in fresh and marine water fish. These bacteria increase the enzymatic activities of some plasma enzymes, which is an indication of organ damage in the fish. This study shows that Chromolaena odorata aqueous leave extract has therapeutic effect on the AST, ALT, ATP and ACP of C. gariepinus infected with S. aureus as well as antibacterial activities against S. aureus as it enhances the survival rate and disease resistance of the infected fish.

The following recommendations should be considered:

• Fish farmers should be encouraged to plant awolowo tree in their farms for more availability of the leaves.
• The experiment should be carried out in other aquatic animals to ascertain the efficiency of the C. odorata leaves in aquaculture.
• Chromolaena odorata leaves aqueous extract should be prepared in pellet form for easy usage by farmers.