Effect of Artemisia annua supplementation and florfenicol treatment on the swimming performance of Nile tilapia.

• Grant number: 25/00763-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: February 28, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Compared Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Cléo Alcantara Costa Leite
• Grantee: Julia Helena da Cruz de Paula
• Company: Terpenia Desenvolvimento de Bioinsumos Ltda
• CNAE: Aqüicultura em água doce
• Associated research grant: 24/07188-0 - Phytobiotics in aquaculture: advances in animal health and vaccine alternatives, AP.PIPE

Abstract

The current increase in aquaculture production has created demands that have raised the density of production units to their limit, increasing the use of antibiotics and growth promoters. Florfenicol is a widely used antibiotic to control diseases in high-density farming but is linked to ecological issues such as water contamination, resistant bacteria, and residue accumulation in fish. The alcoholic extract of Artemisia annua (ae-Aa) has shown promise as a phytogenic agent, enhancing intestinal absorption, oxygen transport, and weight gain in fish. Additionally, ae-Aa improves immunity and reduces stress. This study aims to evaluate the effects of ae-Aa supplementation compared to florfenicol on aerobic performance and swimming ability in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The experimental design includes three groups (n = 10 each): control (regular feed), Flo (feed supplemented with florfenicol, 5mg.kg-1), and ae-Aa (supplemented with ae-Aa, 0.5%). After the supplementation period, the fish will be submitted to a swimming performance test in a swimming respirometer, with incremental speed until reaching their aerobic limit and critical speed (Ucrit), using respirometry in a swimming respirometer. Even at safe doses, florfenicol can harm fish aerobic performance and swimming ability due to its potential to affect nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. Based on recent data, we believe that the group supplemented with ae-Aa may demonstrate higher aerobic and swimming capacities and, thus, a better efficiency of energy use. This experiment is crucial to understanding how ae-Aa supplementation affects energy allocation in fish and can influence decisions and strategies for applying alternatives to antibiotic use on a larger scale. (AU)