Lipid classes and fatty acid composition of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) fed two algal diets

Abstract

Rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis), maintained on baker's yeast, were fed for 24h upon two algal diets, Isochrysis galbana (diet A) and Isochrysis galbana + Nannochloropsis gaditana (diet B) . (These algal diets were selected for their potential use as essential fatty acid (EFA) boosters, taking into account the requirements of fish larvae) . The effect of these algal diets on total lipid content, lipid classes and fatty acid composition was studied . The total lipid content increased after feeding upon both diets but no significant differences were found between the two types . Neutral lipid and polar lipid contents increased and a positive correlation was observed between the neutral lipids content of rotifers and that of the food supplied . However, the content of polar lipids in rotifers did not depend upon that of the diet . The increase in neutral lipid content was found to be higher in rotifers fed upon diet B, compared to diet A which increased the phospholipid content . Non-enriched rotifers contained only small amounts of polyenoic fatty acids, i .e . 18 :3n-6, 18 :3n-3, 20 :4n-6, 20 :5n-3 and 22 :6n-3, the contents of which increased significantly by feeding both diets . The EFA composition (20 :4n-6, 20 :5n-3 and 22 :6n-3) of neutral lipids and phopholipids in rotifers reflected the EFA composition of each diet. Diet B-fed rotifers had the highest content in 20 :4n-6 and 20 :5n-3, whereas rotifers fed diet A and the highest 22 :6n-3 content. The mixed diet 1L galbana + N. gaditana enhanced substantially the composition of lipid classes i .e . neutral lipids and of n-3 PUFA of rotifers in comparison with Isochrysis or yeast diets .

Biochemical composition and fatty acid profile in a strain of the lineage ‘Nevada’, belonging to theBrachionus plicatilis(Rotifera) complex, fed different diets

“…; Tamaru et al . ; Fernández‐Reiriz & Labarta ; Nichols, Hart, Nichols & McMeekin ), in accordance with this study. On the other hand, although CULTURE SELCO is more enriched than yeast, it is nevertheless on the lower range of most artificially prepared enrichment emulsions (Reitan et al .…”

“…; Tamaru, Murashige, Lee, Ako & Sato ; Reitan, Rainuzzo & Olsen ; Whyte et al . ; Fernández‐Reiriz & Labarta ; Lie et al . ; Copeman, Parrish, Brown & Harel ; Castell, Blair, Neil, Howes, Mercer, Reid, Young‐Lai, Gullison, Dhert & Sorgeloos ).…”

Population Growth of Zooplankton (Rotifers and Cladocerans) Fed Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus acutus in Different Proportions

“…The response of zooplankton to mixed diet is of some interest not only from aquatic ecologists [28] but also from aquaculturists [29]. For example, since the first use of baker's yeast as food, several attempts have been made to combine it with green algae for both freshwater and saline rotifer species [30,31].…”

Reproductive success of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus feeding on ciliates and flagellates of different trophic modes

“…HFs seem to be a comparatively good food sources for Daphnia (Sanders & Porter, 1990; Sanders et al ., 1996; Picard & Lair, 2000), but a poor sole food source for the copepod Diaptomus (Sanders et al ., 1996) and the rotifer B. calyciflorus (this study). Autotrophic flagellates like cryptophytes, however, have been found to be of high nutritional value for rotifers as well as for crustacean zooplankton because of their essential fatty acid and sterol composition (Lubzens, Marko & Tietz, 1985; Müller‐Navarra,1995;Fernandez‐Reiriz & Labarta, 1996; Brett & Müller‐Navarra, 1997). There is evidence that some protozoan species, including Tetrahymena, lack essential fatty acids and sterols (Ederington et al ., 1995; Desvilettes et al ., 1997).…”