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Natural insecticides derived from plant extracts have been used as an alternative to synthetic products in order to reduce environmental contamination. The present study aimed to examine the effects of Fumydro®, a natural insecticide based in the tobacco plant Nicotiana tabacum, on the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by determining the 48-h LC50 and evaluating their effects on hematological variables. Adult specimens of O. niloticus were exposed to four Fumydro® concentrations (200, 300, 400 and 500 μL L-1). The 48-h LC50 of Fumydro® was determined as 370 ± 50 μL L-1. Surviving fish showed increasing in the red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The thrombocytes did not change but the percentage of neutrophils increased. These results indicated that the insecticide Fumydro® is toxic to Nile tilapia and the changes of the erythrocyte variables suggested hypoxemia induction with low effect on the immune system. Natural insecticides from plant extracts represent an alternative to the highly toxic synthetic products in order to reduce environmental contamination; however some might also be toxic for non-target organisms. The present study determined the 50% lethal concentration (48h; LC50) for adults Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) exposed to the natural insecticide Fumydro®, based on the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum), and evaluated its effect on hematological variables. After preliminary tests, adult specimens of O. niloticus were exposed to four Fumydro® concentrations (200, 300, 400 and 500 μL L-1). The 48h; LC50 of Fumydro® was determined at 370 ± 50 μL L-1. The surviving fish after exposure to Fumydro® showed an increase in the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration. The number of thrombocytes and leukocytes has not changed, unlike the differential leukocyte count that presented an increased percentage of neutrophils. The results indicated that the insecticide Fumydro® is highly toxic to Nile tilapia and changes in erythrocyte variables suggested the induction to hypoxemia with low effect on the immune system.

A laboratory culture of Ankistrodesmus gracilis algae was evaluated by studying the biology of the species and its chemical composition in a traditional medium (CHU12) and in two alternative culture media, NPK (20-5-20) and macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) + NPK, in three different types of recipients (fiberglass, carboy and plastic bag). First peak in the growth curve of Ankistrodesmus gracilis occurred on the ninth day in macrophyte + NPK medium (74.16 x 105 cells mL-1) in a fiberglass recipient. However, highest density (p < 0.01) was reported in medium CHU12 (122.87 x 105 cells mL-1) in a plastic bag on the twelfth day. Cell density was over 70 x 105 cells mL-1 starting on the twelfth day. Growth rate of A. gracilis was similar (p > 0.05) in culture media in the three recipients. Protein and fiber were similar (p > 0.05) in the treatments, but lipids were higher (p < 0.05) in NPK. Nitrate, ammonia, total phosphorus and orthophosphate contents were over 1 mg L-1 in NPK (p < 0.01). Results show that alternative media, such as NPK and macrophyte + NPK, are possible for large-scale culture of A. gracilis cultured in three types of recipients. Costs are low, occupying less space when cultured in plastic bags and in the laboratory. A laboratory culture of Ankistrodesmus gracilis algae was evaluated by studying the biology of the species and its chemical composition in a traditional medium (CHU12) and in two alternative culture media, NPK (20-5-20) and macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) + NPK, in three different types of recipients (fiberglass, carboy and plastic bag). First peak in the growth curve of Ankistrodesmus gracilis occurred on the ninth day in macrophyte + NPK medium (74.16 x 105 cells mL-1) in a fiberglass recipient. However, highest density (p < 0.01) was reported in medium CHU12 (122.87 x 105 cells mL-1) in a plastic bag on the twelfth day. Cell density was over 70 x 105 cells mL-1 starting on the twelfth day. Growth rate of A. gracilis was similar (p > 0.05) in culture media in the three recipients. Protein and fiber were similar (p > 0.05) in the treatments, but lipids were higher (p < 0.05) in NPK. Nitrate, ammonia, total phosphorus and orthophosphate contents were over 1 mg L-1 in NPK (p < 0.01). Results show that alternative media, such as NPK and macrophyte + NPK, are possible for large-scale culture of A. gracilis cultured in three types of recipients. Costs are low, occupying less space when cultured in plastic bags and in the laboratory.