Application of Kefa forest honey as antibacterial in the treatment of common carp Cyprinus carpio infected with bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila

This study aims to determine in vitro the right concentration of Kefa-originated forest honey and its ability to cure Aeromonas hydrophila-infected carp Cyprinus carpio through observations on the hematological change and clinical symptoms. The antibacterial activity of Kefa forest honey was tested at different concentrations (25%, 50%, and 75%) in disc method. Control treatment used antibiotic oxytetracycline. The ability of Kefa forest honey in carp treatment was carried out by infecting it with bacteria A. hydropila of 10 cells mL. When the infection symptoms had appeared, the fish were treated with 25% honey through maceration for 3 successive days, and they were reared for 7 days. During the study, observations were done on the hematology and clinical symptoms of healthy fish, infected fish, and after treatment. Results showed that Kefa forest honey had antibacterial capability against A. hydropila at the dose of 25 to 75%, with inhibition zone at the concentration of 75% (16 mm) that was not significantly different from that given by antibiotics (17 mm). Kefa forest honey could also cure A. hydropila-infected carp by increasing the erythrocytes from 1,020,000 cells mm in infected fish to 1,741,000 cells mm after the treatment, increasing the haemoglobin level from 5.7 to 6.07 g 100 mL, and reducing the leucocytes from 702,000 cells mm in infected fish to 651,500 cells mm after the treatment. Thus, the use of Kefa honey could cure A. hydrophila-infected carp indicated with the hematological changes after the treatment.