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Herbal Aquaboost

Abstract

Aquaculture production faces challenges including disease occurrence, physical injuries, deteriorating water quality and increasing dependence on antibiotics and chemical-based treatments. These challenges may reduce fish survival and increase operational costs. Therefore, this study developed Herbal AquaBoost, an organic-based aquaculture additive formulated using banana peel (Musa acuminata) and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as a sustainable alternative for improving tilapia recovery and health.

A quantitative experimental study was conducted using 40 red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) samples for 28 days under controlled aquarium conditions. The fish were wounded and divided into four groups with 10 fish per group. The treatments consisted of T1 (80% banana peel + 20% lemongrass), T2 (70% banana peel + 30% lemongrass), T3 (60% banana peel + 40% lemongrass), and a commercial product control group. The effectiveness of Herbal AquaBoost was evaluated based on wound healing, survival rate, growth performance and water quality parameters.

The results showed that Treatment 3 demonstrated the best recovery performance. Fish treated with Herbal AquaBoost achieved 100% wound healing by day 14, compared with the control group which achieved only 40% healing on day 14 and 90% on day 28. Treatment 3 maintained a 100% survival rate (%) throughout the 28-day period, while the control group decreased from 100% to 80% survival rate by day 28. Growth performance also improved, with Treatment 3 increasing from 20 g to 35 g ABW, compared with 20 g to 33 g in the control group.

Herbal AquaBoost supports sustainable aquaculture practices by utilising agricultural waste as an organic resource while contributing towards SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). This innovation demonstrates promising potential as a natural alternative for treating wounded tilapia and reducing dependence on chemical-based treatments.

Keywords: Herbal AquaBoost; banana peel; lemongrass; Oreochromis niloticus; wound healing; survival rate; organic aquaculture; sustainable aquaculture.