Yeast vacuolar enzymes as novel hatching inhibitors for aquatic organisms, Daphnia magna and Danio rerio eggs

Abstract

Concerns over the spread of non-native species in aquatic environments have led to the need for effective methods to prevent and control their spread while protecting native species. This study investigated the potential of yeast vacuolar enzymes as a natural hatching inhibitor for controlling aquatic organisms. Hatching experiments with Daphnia magna eggs demonstrated that exposure to yeast vacuole enzymes inhibited hatching in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting their potential as an effective inhibitor of egg hatching in aquatic organisms. Interestingly, the protease used for comparative purposes did not inhibit hatching, but instead increased the mortality of hatched D. magna. Additionally, chorionic changes were observed in non-hatched D. magna eggs and zebrafish eggs exposed to yeast vacuole enzymes, suggesting that the enzyme can alter the chorion and interfere with hatching. These findings suggest that yeast vacuolar enzymes may be a promising and natural management tool for controlling the spread of harmful aquatic organisms, and further research is warranted to explore their potential for species-specific control.