Researchers at have found that a curcumin dietary supplement is an effective bactericidal against Streptococcus agalactiae in silver catfish. The aim of their study was to evaluate whether a diet containing 150 mg curcumin/kg feed is able to enhance the resistance of silver catfish to S. agalactiae infection.
Antibiotics are frequently used in aquaculture to treat bacterial infections. However, according to study authors \"this treatment causes antibiotic resistance, negative impact on the environment and on health, and accumulation of residual in edible tissues.\"
\"Several evidences have considered the dietary supplementation with natural products an interesting alternative to antibiotics, as the use of curcumin, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.\"
\"Our results demonstrated that curcumin dietary supplement exerts potent bactericidal action against S. agalactiae, presenting 100% of therapeutic efficacy when compared to infected and non-supplemented animals. Also, the treatment prevented the occurrence of clinical signs of disease, as erratic swimming, corneal opacity, skin lesions in the fin and tail, and loss of appetite. In summary, curcumin can be a promising dietary supplement for improving disease resistance.\"
