The investigation of efficacy of lavanta (Lavandula angustifolia) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oils as anesthesics in carp (Cyprinus carpio, l 1758)

Anesthetics are widely used in aquaculture. However, some synthetic anesthetics are known to cause side effects on fish and humans. Therefore, the search for natural products that are reliable and effective on fish has accelerated. In this study, the anesthetic effects of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and cumin (Cuminum cyminum) essential oils on carp (Cyprinus carpio L. 1758) were determined by comparing with clove oil and phenoxy ethanol. A total of 980 carp, weighing 10 grams, were used in the experiment. The essential oils for the determination of the anesthetic effect were prepared at concentrations of 5,10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mg L-1. Anesthesia stages were evaluated for each fish. In addition, acute toxicity of essential oils on carp was determined by LC50 concentration in fish exposed to different concentrations for 10 minutes. Results showed that induction time decreased with increasing of the concentration of the lavender oil and cumin oil. However, recovery time increased with increasing of the concentration of this anesthetics. 300 mg L-1 dose of cumin essential oil and 400 mg L-1 dose of lavender oil provided deep anesthesia on fish. It was found that the anesthesia induction and recovery time period at these concentrations were higher compared to phenoxy ethanol (105.5 and 115.5 sec). These periods were determined as 187.5 and 415 sec for cumin oil and 194 and 477.5 sec for lavender oil, respectively. Cumin essential oil on carp 50 mg L-1 and lavender oil 200 mg L-1 concentration showed a sedative effect similar to clove oil. It was determined that lavender oil can be used for transferring fish at a concentration of 20 mg L-1 for 24 hours. According to the results of acute toxicity test, LC50 value was determined as 450 mg L-1 for cumin oil and 500 mg L-1 for lavender oil. In the light of these findings, it was determined that lavender and cumin oils can be used as a safe and effective anesthetic in carp.