Peracetic acid can be used as a disinfectant for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles without affecting fish welfare

Peracetic acid (PAA) is a European Union Commission authorized disinfectant for use in animal health care. It has shown a strong inactivation potential for bacteria, viruses, fungi and bacterial spores. A stress-related adaptive response after an exposure to PAA has been described in different species of fish such as carp (Cyprinus carpio), rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The present study aims to evaluate the response of gilthead seabream systemic (plasma) as mucosal (gill and skin) defences after PAA a unique exposure (5 min), by measuring cortisol, glucose and lactate in plasma, as well as the expression of several genes (glutathione peroxidase, glucocorticoid receptor, superoxide dismutase 2 and superoxide dismutase involved in the response to oxidative stress in mucosal tissues). study. We observe how seabream (Sparus aurata) copes with oxidative stress induced by PAA. PAA exposure did not induce an important antioxidant response in fish, whereas induced a mild response to stress, with a fast and effective recovery of basal levels after 24 h. Although PAA triggers a mild stress response, the response described in our study reflect that it can be used for sea bream in the concentration tested with no severe physiological consequences.