Decontamination of Marketed Mullet (Mugil cephalus) Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila by Organic Acids

Background and Objective: Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) is an emerging enteric pathogen that is causing outbreaks in global fish farms, resulting in significant financial losses. Materials and Methods: Using the plate count method, this study investigated the antimicrobial activity of organic acids such as acetic and citric acid on A. hydrophila in mullet (Mugil cephalus) at various treatment times (0.5, 1.5, 2.25 and 24 hrs) and temperatures (30±2°C and 5±2°C). Results: After a long time (24 hrs) of treatment, the findings of organic acids treatment revealed that acetic acid (5%), citric acid (5-6%) and acetic-citric acids mixes were effective againstA. hydrophilaat room temperature with a reduction rate of 98.2%, 38.2% and -45.97%, respectively and refrigerator temperature with reduction rate of 97.01%, 15.22% and -28.95%, respectively. At both refrigeration and room temperatures, the acetic acid (5%) showed rising reduction rates that reached almost their highest value after 24 hrs (97.01 and 98.20%, respectively). In addition, citric acid was more effective at room temperature than at refrigerator temperature (0.5, 1.5 and 2.25 hrs). At both temperatures, however, the decrease rate generated by the acetic-citric acid mixture vanished and was almost similar to that of untreated groups. Conclusion: The results of the laboratory investigation suggested that using organic acids (acetic and citric acid) to decontaminateA. hydrophilainfection in mullet aquaculture farms is a safe and cost-effective option.