Electroencephalography (EEG) like tool for assessment unconsciousness of nile tilapia, on slaughter process

• Grant number: 18/23317-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2019
• End date: February 28, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Fishery Resources and Fishery Engineering - Aquaculture
• Principal Investigator: Elisabete Maria Macedo Viegas
• Grantee: Elisabete Maria Macedo Viegas
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Carla Forte Maiolino Molento ; Johannes Wilhelmus van de Vis ; Marinus Adrianus Gerritzen

Abstract

Recently, the World Organization for Animal Health - OIE, through the Aquatic Animal Code, set recommendations for the welfare of farmed fish, mainly in transport, stunning and killing for human consumption. However, traditional methods of killing fish are not considered humanitarian. The efficacy of stunning can be evaluated by behavioral, or by the measurement of electrical activity in the brain, electroencephalography - EEG. The EEG record is considered the methodology of choice because it allows an accurate assessment of the onset and duration of unconsciousness. Our aim is to apply the EEG technique to assess the onset and duration of unconsciousness in Nile tilapia subjected to different methods of stunning. To place the electrodes, lidocaine will be used as local anesthetic at the local access electrodes. EEG records will be analyzed using Labchart software. The variables of spectral analysis will be determined, as well as the onset, duration and end of unconsciousness. In Exp. 1, the captive bolt pistol will be used as a method of stunning/killing, and the efficiency of stunning will be evaluated through EEG. Additionally, fish without restriction will pass for the same procedure for observed behavior indicators. In Exp. 2, the use of anesthetic oils as anesthetics will be evaluated, analyzing the induction and duration of unconsciousness. On Exp. 3, one oil will be selected to be used in the pre-slaughter process including bleeding, evaluating the effectiveness of the procedure on the induction and maintenance of unconsciousness through EEG. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

RUCINQUE, DANIEL SANTIAGO; FERREIRA, PEDRO FONTALVA; PEDROSO LEME, PAULO ROBERTO; LAPA-GUIMARAES, JUDITE; MACEDO VIEGAS, ELISABETE MARIA. Ocimum americanum and Lippia alba essential oils as anaesthetics for Nile tilapia: Induction, recovery of apparent unconsciousness and sensory analysis of fillets. Aquaculture, v. 531, JAN 30 2021. (17/15364-9, 18/23317-3)