Surface disinfection of Pacific threadfin, Polydactylus sexfilis, and amberjack, Seriola rivoliana, eggs

Abstract

The effects of exposing the eggs of Pacific threadfin and amberjack eggs (AEs) to different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide for 5 min on hatch rate and survival were assessed in a series of experiments using a petri dish model rearing system. Despite significant inter-batch variation in hatch rate, it was shown that eggs of both species could be safely exposed to up to 11 340 mg L−1 H2O2 for 5 min. Exposure to 34 230 mg L−1 H2O2 for 5 min was shown to be lethal to AEs at a late stage of development. In two further experiments, it was demonstrated that Pacific threadfin eggs were resistant to all tested concentrations of a range of polyvinylpyrrolidone iodine (PVP-I) concentrations and contact times (up to 1000 mg L−1 PVP-I for 10 min). The level of bacteria adhering to the eggs of both species was highly variable. Where eggs were heavily colonized (>104 cfu egg−1), hydrogen peroxide concentrations of at least 11 340 mg L−1, or PVP-I concentrations higher than 500 mg L−1 for 10 min, were required for effective sterilization. In less colonized batches, rinsing in sterile seawater or exposure to lower (550 mg L−1) concentrations of H2O2 was sufficient to result in high apparent levels of surface sterility (<1 cfu egg−1).