Histopathological study on the effect of methanolic extract of Melaleuca cajuputi on Lates Calcarifer

Abstract

Me!a!euca cajuputi has been long used traditionally to treat ailments and its medicinal properties are the important ingredient in producing Cajaput oil. It has been tested to have anti-inflammatory and anti fungi properties and are vary potential in treating aquatic organism. Aquaculturists have been switching to use herbal piscicides instead of the synthetic piscicide which could pose hazard towards the cultured animal and also human. Thus, in order to determine the toxicity of Me!a!euca cajuputi, acute toxicity of Mela!euca cajuputi were done towards Lates calcarifer. The 96h LC50 obtained was 102.06mg/L. Fishes has been exposed to lower dosage of LC50 (20mg/1, 40mg/L and 60mg/L) for 96 hour. Minor oedema, hypertrophy and haemorrhage at concentration 60mg/L were observed on the gill. The application of 40mg/L of Me!a!euca cajuputi is recommended to be used as a treatment to cultured fish.