Iodine disinfection of grouper Epinephelus coioides eggs

Abstract

In this study, the developmental stage, iodine concentration and exposure time that will reduce the bacterial load without decreasing the hatching rate for the disinfection of grouper (Epinephelus coioides) egg were established. Results of the study showed that the best stage to disinfect grouper egg is at late neurula stage where the embryo shows twitching movement. The effective and safe concentration that will reduce bacterial load but will not decrease hatching rate for the disinfection of grouper egg is 7.5 ppm free iodine for 10 min. Total bacterial count of eggs disinfected with 7.5 ppm free iodine for 10 min (8.99 x 10² cfu/20 eggs) is significantly lower than the unrinsed/undisinfected eggs (1.99 x 10⁷ cfu/20 eggs).