Effects of temperature and water soluble fraction of palm biodiesel and diesel fuel on hatchability and survival of first stage larvae of Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Effects of temperature and water soluble fraction (WSF) of biodiesel and diesel on hatchability and survival of early stage Macrobrachium rosenbergii were investigated at the temperature of 25, 28, 31 and 34 o C. The purpose of this study was to determine toxic effects of biodiesel and diesel on incubation period, hatchability, and survival of the first larval stage. The results showed a significant difference of incubation period among temperatures. The highest temperature (34 o C) resulted in the shortest incubation period (15 days) while the lowest temperature (25 o C) gave the longest incubation period (19 days). One hundred percent of hatchability was found at temperature 28 and 31 o C in the control group. The lowest hatchability occurred at 100% of WSF of palm biodiesel. The hatchability and survival of eggs through the first stage larvae in control and WSF of biodiesel decreased in higher temperature. However, in 50% WSF of diesel, the highest temperature (34 o C) increased the hatchability and survival whereas 100% WSF of diesel, no larval survival could be found. In comparison between WSF of biodiesel and diesel on newly hatched larvae, the diesel was more toxic to the larvae than that of the biodiesel. Regarding temperature and WSF of biodiesel and diesel effects on the first larval stage of M. rosenbergii, clearly diesel was more harmful to the larvae than biodiesel.