Solvent Effects on Yield and Toxicity of some Spice Extracts for Aquaculture

Most. Arfin Naher Eva; Rajdwip Sarkar; Nabonita Roy; Uttam Adhikary; Halima Tus Sadia; Alokesh Kumar Ghosh

doi:10.53808/KUS.2026.SI.7.01.MariNEX1536-ls

Solvent Effects on Yield and Toxicity of some Spice Extracts for Aquaculture

Authors

Most. Arfin Naher Eva Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Rajdwip Sarkar Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Nabonita Roy Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Uttam Adhikary Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Halima Tus Sadia Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Alokesh Kumar Ghosh Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2026.SI.7.01.MariNEX1536-ls

Keywords:

Spices, Solvents, Toxicity, Safety, Aquaculture, Sustainable

Abstract

Medicinal spices serve as antibiotic alternatives in aquaculture via immune-stimulating phytochemicals. The current study intends to assess the spice extraction yield and toxicity using the brine shrimp lethality test (BSLA) and the zebrafish larvae acute toxicity test (Zebrafish assay) in five different solvents including hexane (H), ethyl acetate (EA), ethanol (E), methanol (M), and water (W). Probit analysis was used to calculate the LC₅₀ for zebrafish and brine shrimp assay. The highest extraction yield was obtained from cashew nut (49%), while piper chili showed the lowest yield (2.7%). Among the extracts, piper chili and black pepper exhibited the highest toxicity across nearly all solvents in both toxicity models, whereas mustard seed, poppy seed and fenugreek seed showed reduced toxicity levels, indicating their potential suitability for aquaculture applications. Probit regression analysis (p < 0.05) indicated that all water extracts of spices were non-toxic (LC₅₀ > 1000 µg/mL). In terms of sensitivity, Zebrafish larvae exhibited a higher toxicity response than brine shrimp, as evidenced by significantly lower LC₅₀ values in the zebrafish assay compared to BSLA. The results highlight the importance of careful solvent selection to optimize bioactive chemical extraction, avoiding toxicity, conserving compound integrity, and ensure the safe, effective, and sustainable use of spice extracts in aquaculture.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abdullah, Ahmad, N., Tian, W., Zengliu, S., Zou, Y., Farooq, S., ... & Xiao, J. (2022). Recent advances in the extraction, chemical composition, therapeutic potential, and delivery of cardamom phytochemicals. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 1024820.

Ahmmed, S. S., Sadia, H. T., Nasrin, F., Adhikary, U., Sarower, M. G., & Ghosh, A. K. (2025). Enhancing Growth and Immune Responses in Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) via Oral Administration of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Extract against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Comparative Immunology Reports, 200247.

Anokwuru, C. P., Esiaba, I., Ajibaye, O., & Adesuyi, A. O. (2011). Polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx.

Borja, K. D. B., Buhion, V. T. L., & Canalita, E. E. (2016). Toxicity test on different brands of food seasonings using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality test. Biol Chem Res, 3, 227-33.

Chen, Y. Y., Li, N. Y., Guo, X., Huang, H. J., Garcia‐Oliveira, P., Sun, J. Y., ... & Liu, C. (2023). The nutritional and bio‐active constituents, functional activities, and industrial applications of cashew (Anacardium occidentale): A review. Food Frontiers, 4(4), 1606-1621.

Chowdhury, S., Rheman, S., Debnath, N., Delamare-Deboutteville, J., Akhtar, Z., Ghosh, S., ... & Chowdhury, F. (2022). Antibiotics usage practices in aquaculture in Bangladesh and their associated factors. One Health, 15, 100445.

Clarkson, C., Maharaj, V. J., Crouch, N. R., Grace, O. M., Pillay, P., Matsabisa, M. G., ... & Folb, P. I. (2004). In vitro antiplasmodial activity of medicinal plants native to or naturalised in South Africa. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 92(2-3), 177-191.

Correia, V. T. da V., Silva, V. D. M., Mendonça, H. de O. P., Ramos, A. L. C. C., Silva, M. R., Augusti, R., De Paula, A. C. C. F. F., Ferreira, R. B., Melo, J. O. F., & Fante, C. A. (2023). Efficiency of Different Solvents in the Extraction of Bioactive Compounds from Plinia cauliflora and Syzygium cumini Fruits as Evaluated by Paper Spray Mass Spectrometry. Molecules, 28(5), 2359.

Dimitrova, S., Dragomanova, S., & Kehayova, G. (2024). Intravenous Lipid Emulsions in Anticonvulsants’ Toxicity . Scientia Pharmaceutica, 92(3), 37.

Finney, D. J. (1971). Probit analysis, Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK.

Gabor, E. F., Șara, A., & Barbu, A. (2010). The effects of some phytoadditives on growth, health and meat quality on different species of fish. Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies, 43(1), 61-61.

Gavahian, M., Bannikoppa, A. M., Majzoobi, M., Hsieh, C. W., Lin, J., & Farahnaky, A. (2024). Fenugreek bioactive compounds: A review of applications and extraction based on emerging technologies. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 64(28), 10187-10203.

Ghosh, A. K., Dewaele, P., Hu, H., Panda, S. K., & Luyten, W. (2024). Antimicrobial efficacy of select medicinal plant extracts from Bangladesh against food‐borne bacterial pathogens. Journal of Food Safety, 44(3), e13147.

Ghosh, A. K., Islam, S. S., & Hasanuzzaman, A. F. M. (2025). Exploring the Potential of Medicinal Plants on Fish Resilience to Aeromonas hydrophila Infection: A Comprehensive Study of Immunology, Biochemistry, Growth and Survival. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries, 5(3), e70084.

Guldiken, B., Ozkan, G., Catalkaya, G., Ceylan, F. D., Yalcinkaya, I. E., & Capanoglu, E. (2018). Phytochemicals of herbs and spices: Health versus toxicological effects. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 119, 37-49.

Hamidi, M. R., Jovanova, B., & Panovska, T. K. (2014). Toxicological evaluation of the plant products using Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina L.) model. Macedonian Pharmaceutical Bulletin/Makedonsko Farmacevtski Bilten, 60(1).

Hossain, M. B., Barry-Ryan, C., Martin-Diana, A. B., & Brunton, N. P. (2017). Optimisation of accelerated solvent extraction of antioxidant compounds from rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) using response surface methodology. Food Chemistry, 116(1), 35-44.

Jacques Quignard, E. L., Nunomura, S. M., Pohlit, A. M., Alecrim, A. M., da Silva Pinto, A. C., Portela, C. N., ... & Silva, S. G. (2004). Median lethal concentrations of Amazonian plant extracts in the brine shrimp assay. Pharmaceutical Biology, 42(3), 253-257.

Lezoul, N. E. H., Belkadi, M., Habibi, F., & Guillén, F. (2020). Extraction Processes with Several Solvents on Total Bioactive Compounds in Different Organs of Three Medicinal Plants. Molecules, 25(20), 4672.

Maina, G. J., Magak, N., Domnic, M., & Murugi, K. A. (2023). Phytochemicals Extraction in Craterostigma Plantagineum Hoscht: Aqueous and Ethanol Solvents. Scholars International Journal of Anatomy and Physiology.

Mao, Q. Q., Xu, X. Y., Cao, S. Y., Gan, R. Y., Corke, H., Beta, T., & Li, H. B. (2019). Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). Foods, 8(6), 185.

Meghwal, M., & Goswami, T. K. (2013). Piper nigrum and piperine: an update. Phytotherapy Research, 27(8), 1121-1130.

Modarresi Chahardehi, A., Arsad, H., & Lim, V. (2020). Zebrafish as a successful animal model for screening toxicity of medicinal plants. Plants, 9(10), 1345.

Moshi, M. J., Cosam, J. C., Mbwambo, Z. H., Kapingu, M., & Nkunya, M. H. (2004). Testing beyond ethnomedical claims: brine shrimp lethality of some Tanzanian plants. Pharmaceutical Biology, 42(7), 547-551.

Muhammad, A., Akhtar, A., Aslam, S., Khan, R. S., Ahmed, Z., & Khalid, N. (2021). Review on physicochemical, medicinal and nutraceutical properties of poppy seeds: a potential functional food ingredient. Functional Foods in Health and Disease, 11(10), 522-547.

Palaiogiannis, D., Chatzimitakos, T., Athanasiadis, V., Bozinou, E., Makris, D. P., & Lalas, S. (2023). Successive Solvent Extraction of Polyphenols and Flavonoids from Cistus creticus L. Leaves. Oxygen 3(3), 274–286.

Panda, S. K., Mohanta, Y. K., Padhi, L., & Luyten, W. (2019). Antimicrobial activity of select edible plants from Odisha, India against food-borne pathogens. Lwt, 113, 108246.

Puthongking, P., Ratha, J., Panyatip, P., Datham, S., Siriparu, P., & Yongram, C. (2023). The Effect of Extraction Solvent on the Phytochemical Contents and Antioxidant and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activities of Extracts from the Leaves, Bark and Twig of Dipterocarpus alatus. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 7(12).

Rajabi, S., Ramazani, A., Hamidi, M., & Naji, T. (2015). Artemia salina as a model organism in toxicity assessment of nanoparticles. DARU Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(1), 20.

Ruiz, A., Sanahuja, I., Andree, K. B., Furones, D., Holhorea, P. G., Calduch-Giner, J. A., ... & Gisbert, E. (2024). Supplementation of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) diets with spices as a functional strategy to control excess adiposity through lipid, cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, and to induce an immunomodulatory intestinal regulation. Aquaculture, 581, 740378.

Salehi, B., Zakaria, Z. A., Gyawali, R., Ibrahim, S. A., Rajkovic, J., Shinwari, Z. K., ... & Setzer, W. N. (2019). Piper species: A comprehensive review on their phytochemistry, biological activities and applications. Molecules , 24(7), 1364.

Sarah, Q. S., Anny, F. C., & Misbahuddin, M. (2017). Brine shrimp lethality assay. ||| Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology|||, 12(2), 186-189.

Satpathy, L., & Parida, S. P. (2020). Acute Toxicity Assessment and Behavioral Responses Induced by Kandhamal Haladi in Adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio). Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 11(1), 7368-81.

Shin, J., Yun, K. S., Gunathilaka, B. E., Hasanthi, M., Ko, D., Lim, H., ... & Lee, K. J. (2023). Piperine supplementation in diet improves growth, feed efficiency, innate immunity, digestibility and disease resistance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Aquaculture Reports, 29, 101490.

Srinivasan, K. (2007). Black pepper and its pungent principle-piperine: a review of diverse physiological effects. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 47(8), 735-748.

Sumana, S. L., Xue, T., Hu, H., Abdullateef, M. M., Shui, Y., Ayana, G. U., ... & Xiaojun, J. (2025). Medicinal Plants as Ecological Solutions for Fish Growth and Immunostimulatory Effects in Aquaculture. Aquaculture Research, 2025(1), 9778623.

Takooree, H., Aumeeruddy, M. Z., Rengasamy, K. R., Venugopala, K. N., Jeewon, R., Zengin, G., & Mahomoodally, M. F. (2019). A systematic review on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): from folk uses to pharmacological applications. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 59(sup1), S210-S243.

Taştan, Y., & Salem, M. O. A. (2021). Use of phytochemicals as feed supplements in aquaculture: A review on their effects on growth, immune response, and antioxidant status of finfish. Journal of Agricultural Production, 2(1), 32-43.

Tian, Y., & Deng, F. (2020). Phytochemistry and biological activity of mustard (Brassica juncea): a review. Cyta-journal of Food, 18(1), 704-718.

Tripathi, S., Singh, S., Mishra, N., & Mishra, N. (2025). The impact of solvent polarity on the phenolic and antioxidant capacity of green coffee beans (Robusta species) extracts. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal, 13(2).

Von Hellfeld, R., Gade, C., Baumann, L., Leist, M., & Braunbeck, T. (2023). The sensitivity of the zebrafish embryo coiling assay for the detection of neurotoxicity by compounds with diverse modes of action. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30(30), 75281-75299.

Waghulde, S., Kale, M. K., & Patil, V. (2019, November). Brine shrimp lethality assay of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the selected species of medicinal plants. In Proceedings (Vol. 41, No. 1, p. 47). MDPI.

Xiong, Y., Chen, X., Li, F., Chen, Z., & Qin, Z. (2022). Zebrafish larvae acute toxicity test: A promising alternative to the fish acute toxicity test. Aquatic Toxicology, 246, 106143.

Yumnamcha, T., Roy, D., Devi, M. D., & Nongthomba, U. (2015). Evaluation of developmental toxicity and apoptotic induction of the aqueous extract of Millettia pachycarpa using zebrafish as model organism. Toxicological & Environmental Chemistry, 97(10), 1363-1381.

Downloads

Published

05-05-2026

How to Cite

[1]

M. A. N. Eva, R. Sarkar, N. Roy, U. Adhikary, H. T. Sadia, and A. K. Ghosh, “Solvent Effects on Yield and Toxicity of some Spice Extracts for Aquaculture”, Khulna Univ. Stud., May 2026.