Essential Oils and Their Use as Anesthetics and Sedatives for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): A Systematic Review

Essential oils (EOs) are increasingly studied as natural anesthetics for fish, offering potential alternatives to synthetic agents. This systematic review aimed to summarize the effects of EOs on Oreochromis niloticus, focusing on their efficacy in inducing sedation and anesthesia, recovery times, and associated physiological responses. A comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus, Web of Science, and Wiley Online Library databases for studies published up to 10 December 2024. Studies evaluating EOs or their main components in O. niloticus with quantitative data on anesthesia or sedation were included. From 355 records initially identified, studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed qualitatively. EOs rich in compounds such as linalool, carvacrol, and pulegone effectively induced anesthesia in less than 3 min, with recovery times under 10 min, aligning with operational standards for fish anesthesia. However, some EOs caused physiological changes that may be related to stress responses. Variability in experimental protocols and incomplete reporting of chemical composition limited the comparability between studies. EOs demonstrate promising anesthetic potential for O. niloticus, representing safe and environmentally sustainable alternatives. Further standardized and controlled studies are required to confirm their safety and optimize application in aquaculture.