Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Essential Oils Against Aeromonas spp. Isolated from Rainbow Trout

<i>Aeromonas</i> spp. is a major pathogen in aquaculture with a great negative economic impact. Essential oils (EOs) are compounds of the secondary metabolism of plants known for their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. In this study, in vitro antibacterial activity of eight EOs: tea tree (extracted from <i>Melaleuca alternifolia</i>), eucalyptus (extracted from <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i> LABILL.), knee timber (extracted from <i>Pini mungo</i> L.), peppermint (extracted from <i>Mentha piperita</i> L.), oregano (extracted from <i>Origanum vulgare</i> L.), rosemary (extracted from <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> L.), thyme (extracted from <i>Thymus vulgaris</i> L.) and pine EO (extracted from <i>Pinus silvestris</i> L.), obtained from Calendula a.s., was evaluated. Their antibacterial activity was demonstrated against <i>Aeromonas</i> spp. isolates. Oregano and thyme EOs showed the strongest activity against all tested isolates at low concentrations, followed by tea tree and peppermint EOs. The MIC value ranged from 0.06 µL/mL to 1.0 µL/mL. The tested EOs showed a significant antibiofilm activity against biofilm-forming isolates with MBIC₅₀ ranging from 0.015 µL/mL to 0.25 µL/mL. All tested isolates were obtained from rainbow trout free of clinical signs of infection. Twelve isolates of <i>Aeromonas salmonicida</i> subsp. <i>masoucida</i>, four <i>Aeromonas hydrophila,</i> and four isolates of <i>Aeromonas veronii</i> were identified. The results of the in vitro study showed a significant effect of EOs against <i>Aeromonas</i> spp., which confirmed their potential for use in aquaculture as a prevention against bacterial diseases and a way of reducing the use of antibiotics.