Efficacy of essential oil from ginger (Zingiber officinale) for anesthesia and transport sedation of pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus).

This study evaluated the anesthetic and sedative effects of the essential oil of Zingiber officinale (EOZO) on juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). Experiment 1 evaluated concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg L EOZO for times of induction and recovery from anesthesia. Furthermore, hematological responses and residual components of EOZO in plasma were determined immediately after anesthesia. Experiment 2 evaluated the effect of 0, 10, 20 and 30 mg L EOZO on water quality, blood variables and residual components of EOZO in plasma and tissues (muscle and liver) immediately after 2 h of transport. Survival was 100%. The three main compounds of EOZO [zingiberene (32.27%), β-sesquiphellandrene (18.42%) and β-bisabolene (13.93%)] were observed in animal plasma and tissues (muscle and liver) after anesthesia and transport, demonstrating a direct linear effect among the evaluated concentrations. The concentration of 200 mg L EOZO promoted surgical anesthesia of pacu and prevented an increase in monocyte and neutrophil levels, yet did not alter other hematological parameters. The use of 30 mg L EOZO has a sedative effect on juvenile pacu, thereby reducing oxygen consumption during transport. Furthermore, the use of 30 mg L EOZO in transport water prevented an increase in hemoglobin and hematocrit, with minimal influences on other blood variables.