Prawn Preservation: The Cool Science Behind Saving Giant Freshwater Prawns

The giant freshwater prawn, known as Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a big deal in tropical and subtropical areas. It is a vital species for aquaculture. Scientists have been working on ways to keep these prawns thriving. One key area of focus is preserving the prawns' spermatogonia. These are the cells that turn into sperm. The goal is to find the best methods to freeze and store these cells. Two methods were tested: slow freezing and ultra-rapid freezing. Both methods used a substance called dimethyl sulfoxide, or ME2SO, as a cryoprotectant. This substance helps protect the cells during the freezing process. The best concentration of ME2SO was found to be 10 percent. The timing of the freezing process is also crucial. For slow freezing, the cells need to be in the cryoprotectant for about 15 minutes before freezing. This gives the cells time to adjust to the substance. The temperature at which the cells are thawed also matters. Cells thawed at 10 degrees Celsius showed better recovery and viability than those thawed at 27 degrees Celsius. When it comes to long-term storage in liquid nitrogen, the ultra-rapid freezing method showed better results. After six months, the cells preserved this way had a recovery rate of up to 86. 4 percent. This is significantly higher than the slow freezing method. So, for long-term preservation of M. rosenbergii spermatogonia, the ultra-rapid freezing method with 10 percent ME2SO is the way to go. The process of cryopreservation is not just about freezing cells. It involves a lot of trial and error. Scientists have to test different substances, concentrations, and temperatures. They also need to consider the timing of each step. The goal is to find the best combination that ensures the cells survive the freezing and thawing process. The success of cryopreservation depends on many factors. The type of cryoprotectant, its concentration, and the freezing and thawing temperatures all play a role. The ultra-rapid freezing method has shown promising results. However, more research is needed to fully understand its benefits and limitations. The ultimate goal is to preserve the valuable traits of the giant freshwater prawn. This can help ensure the species continues to thrive in aquaculture.