Anesthetic and sedative effects of plant-derived essential oils on red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) at different concentrations and temperatures

Abstract

Abstract Limited studies have been conducted on the use of anesthetic agents during handling, cooking, and transportation of crayfish species. This study was carried out to evaluate the anesthetic effects of clove (Syzygium aromaticum), spearmint (Mentha spicata) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) essential oils on red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii (Girard, 1852)) at temperatures of 17 and 23 °C. The study was performed in 10 L plastic containers filled with 3 L of dechlorinated freshwater to determine induction and recovery times and stages under laboratory conditions. Five concentrations (200, 350, 500, 750, and 1000 µL/L) of essential oils were used. This study found that the induction time at 1000 µL/L was significantly lower than 200 and 350 µL/L at 17 °C (p 0.05) and the crayfish reached a maximum of Stage 3 (deep sedation) at 1000 µL/L at 23 °C. Overall, clove and spearmint essential oils were proven to be the most successful at providing effective anesthesia to the red swamp crayfish. However, the length of induction and recovery times may be a disadvantage for some procedures. In addition, it has been revealed that chamomile oil may have only a sedative effect and is therefore unsuitable to be used as an anesthetic.

Keywords

• Carcinoculture
• chamomile
• eugenol
• herbal anesthetics
• spearmint