Effect of medicinal plants on the survival of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) challenged with WSSV and Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Survival was investigated in Penaeus vannamei fed with powdered plants (PP: garlic, echinacea, ginger, and basil) and challenged with white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus by ingestion and immersion, respectively. PP was added to commercial feed at a concentration of 1, 2 and 4 g kg(-1). The infection with both pathogens was made at the same time. Shrimp fed with PP (4 g kg feed(-1)) at different frequencies showed higher survival (96.7%) as compared to the positive control group not fed with PP (6.7%). WSSV prevalence in live and dead shrimp was similar in all treatments challenged with both pathogens varying from 33.3 to 55%. PP protects shrimp against WSSV and V. parahaemolyticus. Therefore, further research about the effect of PP is necessary for commercial shrimp farms.