In vitro assay of Lippia graveolens and Lippia alba extracts against Aeromonas spp isolated from tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Lippia graveolens and Lippia alba extracts and essential oils against nine strains of Aeromonas spp., isolated from Oreochromis niloticus. The crude extracts were obtained by percolation technique and CO2 supercritical fluid extraction, while the essential oils by applying hydro-distillation technique using a Clevenger apparatus. The antimicrobial activity for each extract and essential oils was verified through the disc diffusion method at 24 hours. The essential oil of L. graveolens showed higher effectiveness to inhibit fish bacterial pathogens (100%) than the extracts, revealing an inhibition zone diameter that ranged from 25.20 - 36.94 mm. The extracts from supercritical fluid and from the percolation technique with ethyl acetate and cyclohexane presented the same effectiveness (77.78%). The crude extract obtained with ethanol 95% showed limited antimicrobial effect (22.22%), presenting the smallest inhibition zone (ranged from 8.34 to 9.57 mm). On the other hand, L. alba displayed a lower antibacterial activity, being the essential oil 66.67% effective, presenting an inhibition zone ranging between 10.68 to 16.29 mm. The result of this study indicates that essential oils from both L. graveolens and L. alba offer a promising alternative for the control of Aeromonas spp. growth.