Potential of feed supplements on morphometric and gonad weight of fish exposed to microplastics

Abstract

Microplastic can highly accumulated in fresh water, sea water, sedimentary, and marine life species. Its tiny size and large quantity cause it to become ubiquitous and highly bioavailable in aquatic organism. The potential of probiotic supplement from lactic acid bacteria and Vitamin C has proven effective and beneficial in remedial process of living organisms that exposed to toxic materials in microplastic. This research wants to analyze the potential of feed supplement on morphometric and gonad weight of fish exposed to microplastics. Thirty six tilapias divided into two groups; one group given feed variant (commercial pellet, mixture of commercial pellet and probiotic, and mixture of commercial pellet and Vitamin C) and other group given microplastic concentrate variant (0; 0,1; 1; and 10 mg/L) for 15 days. The result shows changes in morphometry and the weight of fish gonad. A significant microplastic exposure reduce the size of tilapia’s morphometry (body size, standard size, head size, and body width), go nad’s weight, and tilapia’s weight. The addition of probiotics increased the morphometry of tilapia exposed to microplastics.This research will give useful informations for fish farmers in developing fish resources and fish farming.