Effects of Garlic and Ginger Oils on Hematological and Biochemical Variables of Sea Bass Dicentrarchus labrax

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of garlic and ginger oils on hematological and biochemical health characteristics of sea bass Dicentrarchus labrax. Fish were exposed to garlic oil (0.01 or 0.02mL/L), ginger oil (0.01 or 0.02mL/L), or a combination of the two oils (each oil at a concentration of 0.005 or 0.01mL/L) for 96h via bath immersion. Results showed that the red blood cell count, hematocrit (%), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration (g/dL), mean corpuscular volume (m3), mean corpuscular Hb (pg), and mean corpuscular Hb concentration (%) were not significantly affected by herb oil exposure. However, some changes in biochemical variables were observed. Sea bass exposed to the 0.005-mL/L garlic oilginger oil mixture exhibited a significant increase in serum glucose. Serum total protein and albumin levels decreased in sea bass that were exposed to a garlic oilginger oil mixture (0.005 or 0.01mL/L) or to garlic oil at 0.02mL/L. Serum globulin levels decreased and triglyceride levels increased in sea bass exposed to 0.02-mL/L garlic oil or to the 0.01-mL/L mixture. The serum lipase level decreased and the cholesterol level increased in fish that were exposed to 0.02-mL/L garlic oil. In summary, ginger oil at 0.010.02mL/L can be used without negative effects, while the garlic oil or garlic oilginger oil mixture should be applied at a concentration below 0.005mL/L for bath immersion of sea bass. This is the first study to examine how garlic oil and ginger oil exposure via bath immersion affects the hematological and biochemical status of sea bass. Received March 19, 2012; accepted July 2, 2012