Effect of different dietary levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6w-3) on the DHA composition of lipid classes in sea bass larvae eyes

The effect of different dietary levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6w-3) on the corresponding composition of lipid classes of the eyes of sea bass, Dicentraxrchus labrax, larvae was studied using Artemia nauplii enriched with different products: oil emulsions, liposomes, a dry microalga and baker's yeast. DHA was found to be a major constituent of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine of visual tissues. The different DHA dietary levels were markedly reflected in the fatty acid composition of the lipid classes of eyes, suggesting a dose-dependent relationship between DHA in the food and in visual tissue lipids of sea bass larvae. The possible implications of this dietary effect are discussed.     

Assessment of marine thraustochytrid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizochytrium limacinum</Emphasis> OUC88 for mariculture by enriched feeds

ABSTRACT:   In the present study, Schizochytrium limacinum OUC88, a thraustochytrid with high content of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n −3), was used as feed for rotifer Brachionus plicatilis and Artemia franciscana . The rotifer and Artemia were harvested at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24-h intervals, analyzed for fatty acid composition, and compared with the control which fed on yeast only. The highest DHA content resulted from an enrichment period of 12 h for both fed organisms, reached 13.4 and 10.9% of the total fatty acids (TFAs) in rotifers and Artemia nauplii, respectively, and the DHA level reduced sharply if enrichment time was longer than 12 h. The pseudoalbinism rate of turbot Scophthalmus maximus juveniles fed enriched rotifers and Artemia nauplii reduced greatly (40% lower than in control group). Thus, enrichment of rotifers and Artemia nauplii by DHA-rich Schizochytrium limacinum OUC88 may provide a practical strategy for feeding fish juveniles in aquaculture.     

Effects of dietary levels of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 on tissue lipid composition in juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, with emphasis on brain and eye

Four dietary groups of juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., each with three replicates, were fed diets with increasing levels of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3; EPA). Fatty acid composition of brain and eye was determined at the start and approximately every 3 weeks during the experimental period, and fatty acid composition of liver and fillet was determined in fish from the final sampling. Lipid class composition of brain and eye, and fatty acid composition of these lipid classes was determined at the end of the experiment. There was no effect of increasing dietary DHA content on fatty acid composition, lipid class composition or DHA levels in the lipid classes in the juvenile Atlantic salmon brain. The increasing dietary EPA content, however, was reflected in both the total fatty acid composition and in the EPA content in neutral lipids, phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol (PI). A minor effect of the increasing dietary DHA content was found in the lipid composition of the juvenile salmon eye. Both EPA and 18:2n-6 levels in eye, however, clearly reflected the increasing and decreasing, respectively, dietary levels of these two fatty acids. The dietary EPA levels also affected the EPA levels in neutral lipids, PC, PE, PI and PS (phosphatidylserine) in the juvenile salmon eye. The results demonstrate that these dietary levels of DHA had no effect on brain lipid composition and only a minor effect on eye lipid composition. Furthermore, the dietary EPA levels significantly affected the lipid composition of both brain and eye. The fillet fatty acid composition reflected the dietary fatty acid composition, except for the DHA/EPA ratio, which was reversed in fillet compared with that in the diets. The liver fatty acid composition was also affected by the increasing dietary EPA and DHA levels.     

Optimization of emulsion properties and enrichment conditions used in live prey enrichment

Five variables relating to the enrichment of live prey were studied using experimental micellar emulsions. Rotifers and Artemia nauplii were enriched for 12 and 24 hrs, respectively, and sampled at several intervals to analyse their fatty acid profile and determine the better time length for enrichment. Two hour and 18 hr were shown to be the most effective in boosting rotifer and nauplii, respectively, with arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids as well as in total lipid content. Three doses of the same emulsion were also used to check which one conferred the best fatty acid profile. In this case, the higher the dose utilized the higher the content of DHA present in the live food. The use of 15 g/Kg–20 g/Kg of egg yolk as emulsifier was proved to be very effective on rotifer boosting, whereas for nauplii, the amount of emulsifier might be reduced. Egg‐derived emulsifiers have been shown to be more effective for rotifer enrichment while for Artemia nauplii, soy lecithin rendered a better fatty acid profile. Finally, live prey lipid composition paralleled that of the oil used in the emulsion formula although rotifers were far more easily enriched than Artemia nauplii especially in DHA but not in EPA or ARA.     

The Effect of Diet on the Biochemical Composition of Juvenile Artemia: Potential Formulations for Rock Lobster Aquaculture

The lipid class and fatty acid (FA) composition of juvenile Artemia fed continuously on four diets—the microalga Tetraselmis suecica , a mix of oat bran-wheat germ-lecithin (OWL), OwL-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and OWL-EPA-arachidonic acid (AA)—were examined over a 9-d experiment in an attempt to approximate the FA profile of phyllosoma larvae of wild southern rock lobster Jasus edwardrii . The main difference in lipid class composition of Artemia fed the four diets was the relative level of polar lipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG). By day 9, the algal-fed Artemia were highest in PL (95% of total lipid) and lowest in TAG (2%), whereas the remaining diets resulted in Artemia with 16–30% PL and 41–82% TAG. After 2 d, the relative FA composition of all Artemia treatments closely reflected those of the diets, with no marked change after further feeding (to day 9). In terms of the content of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), by day 5 Artemia fed: 1) with the algal diet contained 7 mg/g FA dry mass (0.3% DHA, 6.3% EPA, 3.4% AA of total FA); 2) with the OWL diet contained 3 mg/g (0.3% DHA, 0.9% EPA, 0.7% AA); 3) with the OWL-EPA diet contained 55 mg/g (6.2% DHA, 11.6% EPA, 1.1% AA); and 4) with the OWL-EPA-AA contained 83 mg/g (3.8% DHA, 7.5% EPA, 17.4% AA). The PUFA profiles of Artemia using the OWL-oil diets were similar to wild rock lobster phyllmmata, although levels of doco-sahexaenoic acid (DHA) were lower (10% DHA) than in J. edwardsii larvae. On the basis of PUFA composition data alone, the results suggest the suitability of the OWL-oil mixed diets for consideration for feeding to Artemia used in the culture of southern rock lobster larvae, particularly if the level of DHA can be further enhanced.     

营养强化的轮虫、卤虫对牙鲆仔鱼的成活、生长及体脂肪酸组成的影响

用3种营养强化剂强化的轮虫和卤虫无节幼体投喂牙鲆仔鱼,研究牙鲆仔鱼的生长、成活、体脂肪酸的组成。结果表明:用强化的轮虫和卤虫无节幼体投喂牙鲆仔鱼,成活率、增重均显著高于对照组(p<0 01),其中V号强化剂的效果最好,成活率为29 34%,比对照组提高100%;增重倍数为217 90,比对照组提高68 61%;这是由于V号强化剂强化的卤虫无节幼体体内含有较多的AA的缘故,饵料中AA含量的提高,可以提高牙鲆仔鱼的成活率、促进其生长。牙鲆摄食强化过的轮虫、卤虫无节幼体后,其EPA、DHA、n-3HUFA、PUFA的含量随着饵料中含量的升高而升高,这也是牙鲆仔鱼生长速度和成活率提高的重要因素之一。     

The effect of vitamins C and E in (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids-enriched Artemia nauplii on growth, survival, and stress resistance of fresh water walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enriching Artemia nauplii with vitamin C (ascorbyl-6 palmitate) or vitamin E (α-tocopherol acetate), 20% w/w, together with a mixture of concentrated eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) on the growth, survival, and stress resistance of fresh water walleye Stizostedion vitreum larvae. Either cod liver oil (CLO) or EPA/DHA ethyl esters concentrate was used as lipid sources in the Artemia enrichment. Walleye larvae were fed ad libitum for 40 days. At day 40, submersion in salt water (25 g L⁻¹) was performed to evaluate larvae resistance to stress. EPA and DHA levels in walleye juveniles fed EPA/DHA-enriched Artemia increased significantly, by an average of 650% compared with fish fed non-enriched Artemia . A significant increase was found for vitamins C (71.8 ± 1.0 and 42.7 ± 1.2 μg g⁻¹ wet weight (WW)) and E (17.0 ± 3.7 and 6.5 ± 0.9 μg g⁻¹WW) concentrations in fish fed enriched and unenriched Artemia , respectively. Growth was comparable throughout treatments, whereas survival was significantly higher in fish fed CLO-enriched Artemia nauplii compared with fish fed Artemia nauplii enriched with EPA/DHA concentrate. The addition of vitamin C increased fish survival by 1.4-fold compared with fish fed Artemia enriched with only EPA/DHA concentrate. The survival of the latter was similar to control fish ( Artemia without enrichment). The supplementation of vitamin E did not affect fish survival significantly. Stress tests revealed that the resistance of walleye larvae to salinity changes increased when Artemia enrichment was supplemented with vitamin C. However, walleye larvae fed CLO-enriched Artemia had the best performances in the stress test.     

n_3多价不饱和脂肪酸营养强化轮虫技术研究

通过甲酯型，乙酯型，脂肪酸型和甘油酯型化学型式ｎ－３多价不饱和脂肪酸的营养强化饵料对轮虫的营养强化试验，观察了营养强化过程中轮虫生理生态变化，测定了轮虫体内ＥＰＡ，ＤＨＡ的含量。结果表明：不论是哪种化学型式的营养强化饵料，营养强强效果均好于微绿球藻强经对照组，轮虫中ＥＰＡ，ＤＨＡ含量明显提高，并在强化１２ｈ达到最高峰。     

Nutritional Enhancement of n-3 and n-6 Fatty Acids in Rotifers and Artemia Nauplii by Feeding Spray-dried Schizochytrium sp.

A docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 22:6(n-3), rich strain of Schizochytrium sp. was used in a spray-dried form to evaluate the enhancement of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in Artemia franciscana nauplii (Utah biotype) and the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis . This heterotrophic microalga was selected because of its high concentration of the longest chain HUFAs in the n-3 and n-6 series, DHA and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), 22:5(n-6), respectively. When 24-h-old Artemia nauplii were fed 400 mg/L of the algae for 24 h, the DHA content of the nauplii went from undetectable levels to 0.8% of dry weight and the omega-3 HUFA eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 20:5n-3, content went from 0.1% to 0.5% of dry weight in the nauplii. Similarly, 22:5(n-6) increased in the nauplii from undetectable levels to 0.4% of dry weight, with a concomitant increase in arachidonic acid, (20:4n-6), from trace to 0.3% of dry weight even though there was no arachidonic acid in the algal biomass. Similar enrichment patterns were observed in rotifers. The results suggest that spray-dried cells of Schizochytrium sp. are effective in enriching Artemia naupli and rotifers in both n-3 and n-6 HUFAs. The results also suggest that Artemia nauplii and rotifers are capable of readily retroconverting 22:6(n-3) to 20:5(n-3) and 22:5(n-6) to 20:4(n-6) through the process of β-oxidation, a well-known process in mammals.     

Comparison of Docosahexaenoic Acid (22:6n-3) Levels in Various Artemis Strains during Enrichment and Subsequent Starvation

Abstract.— The aim of this study was to compare the levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) in three different bisexual and one parthenogenetic strains of Artemia after enrichment. Freshly-hatched nauplii from A. franciscana (Great Salt Lake, USA), A. sinica (Yimeng, P. R. China), A. persimilis (Argentina), and A. parthenogenetica (Tanggu, P. R. China) were enriched with a purified lipid emulsion containing 95% DHA ethyl esters (% total fatty acids) and subsequently starved. All strains had very low initial DHA levels (< 0.3 mg/g dry weight). Initial eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5n-3 (EPA) levels were high in A. parthenogenetica (18.2 mg/g dry weight) as compared to those in the other strains (4.6-8.5 mg/g dry weight). After 24-h enrichment, A. sinica contained the highest DHA level (37.0 mg/g dry weight) as well as the highest DHA/ EPA ratio (3.7). The lowest DHA enrichment levels were found in A. franciscana and A. parthenogenetica (26.3 and 22.7 mg/g dry weight, respectively). During the subsequent 24-h starvation period, the contents of DHA decreased rapidly in all strains, whereas EPA levels remained relatively stable. This indicates the high catabolism of DHA for energy production, the relative conservation of EPA, and possibly a partial bioconversion of DHA to EPA during the starvation period in each species.     

ω_3HUFA对中华绒螯蟹幼体存活率及体脂肪酸组成的影响

分别以经海水小球藻、牟氏角毛藻和５０ＤＥ－Ｇ强化剂强化的轮虫投喂中华绒螯蟹早期幼体,至Ｚａｏ状Ⅲ期后改喂卤虫无节幼体,探讨了饵料ω－３系列高度不饱和脂肪酸对幼体发育和存活的影响。结果表明：小球藻轮虫组的幼体发育至第Ⅰ期幼蟹的存活率最高,为１２．００％,强化剂轮虫组和角毛藻轮虫组次之,分别为１０．６７％和９．６７％,而酵母轮虫组最低,仅为３．６７％;结合分析Ｚａｏ状Ⅴ期幼体脂肪酸组成可知,幼体发育至第Ⅰ期幼蟹的存活率与其总脂含量和ω－３ＨＵＦＡ含量密切相关,而Ｚａｏ状Ⅴ期幼体总脂含量与ω－３ＨＵＦＡ含量随饵料轮虫总脂和ω－３ＨＵＦＡ含量的增加而提高,表明早期幼体所摄取的ω－３ＨＵＦＡ对后期幼体发育和存活有明显的促进作用。     

Effects of docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, and arachidonic acids on the early growth, survival, lipid composition and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder (Limanda ferruginea): a live food enrichment experiment

The role of dietary ratios of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n−3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n−3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n−6) on early growth, survival, lipid composition, and pigmentation of yellowtail flounder was studied. Rotifers were enriched with lipid emulsions containing high DHA (43.3% of total fatty acids), DHA+EPA (37.4% and 14.2%, respectively), DHA+AA (36.0% and 8.9%), or a control emulsion containing only olive oil (no DHA, EPA, or AA). Larvae were fed differently enriched rotifers for 4 weeks post-hatch. At week 4, yellowtail larvae fed the high DHA diet were significantly larger (9.7±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and had higher survival (22.1±0.4%), while larvae fed the control diet were significantly smaller (7.3±0.2 mm, P<0.05) and showed lower survival (5.2±1.9%). Larval lipid class and fatty acid profiles differed significantly among treatments with larvae fed high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) diets having higher relative amounts of triacylglycerols (18–21% of total lipid) than larvae in the control diet (11%). Larval fatty acids reflected dietary levels of DHA, EPA and AA while larvae fed the control diet had reduced amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and increased levels of PUFA relative to dietary levels. A strong relationship was observed between the DHA/EPA ratio in the diet and larval size (r²=0.75, P=0.005) and survival (r²=0.86, P=0.001). Following metamorphosis, the incidence of malpigmentation was higher in the DHA+AA diet (92%) than in all other treatments (50%). Results suggest that yellowtail larvae require a high level of dietary DHA for maximal growth and survival while diets containing elevated AA exert negative effects on larval pigmentation.     

The effect of dietary n-3 HUFA levels and DHA/EPA ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis larvae

The effect of varying levels of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid (DHA/EPA) ratios on growth, survival and osmotic stress tolerance of Eriocheir sinensis zoea larvae was studied in two separate experiments. In experiment I, larvae were fed rotifers and Artemia enriched with ICES emulsions with 0, 30 and 50% total n-3 HUFA levels but with the same DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6. In experiment II, larvae were fed different combinations of enriched rotifers and Artemia, in which, rotifers were enriched with emulsions containing 30% total n-3 HUFA, but different DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6, 2 and 4; while Artemia were enriched with the same emulsions, but DHA/EPA ratio of 0.6 and 4. In both experiments, un-enriched rotifers cultured on baker's yeast and newly-hatched Artemia nauplii were used as control diets. Larvae were fed rotifers at zoea 1 and zoea 2 stages; upon reaching zoea 3 stage, Artemia was introduced.Experiment I revealed no significant effect of prey enrichment on the survival of megalopa among treatments, but higher total n-3 HUFA levels significantly enhanced larval development (larval stage index, LSI) and resulted in higher individual dry body weight of megalopa. Furthermore higher dietary n-3 HUFA levels also resulted in better tolerance to salinity stress. Experiment II indicated that at the same total n-3 HUFA level, larvae continuously receiving a low dietary DHA/EPA ratio had significantly lower survival at the megalopa stage and inferior individual body weight at the megalopa stage, but no negative effect was observed on larval development (LSI). The ability to endure salinity stress of zoea 3, zoea 5 and megalopa fed diets with higher DHA/EPA ratio was also improved.     

Effect of vitamin E and highly unsaturated fatty acid-enriched Artemia urmiana on growth performance, survival and stress resistance of Beluga (Huso huso) larvae

A 44-day rearing trial was conducted to examine the enrichment of Artemia urmiana nauplii with vitamin E and highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) and its effects on the growth performance, survival and stress resistance of great sturgeon, Huso huso , larvae. Cod liver oil (EPA 18% and DHA 12%) and α-tocopherol acetate were used as lipid and vitamin E sources. Beluga larvae at the first exogenous feeding with 69±5.9 mg body weight were randomly distributed into four treatments and three tanks were assigned to each diet. The test treatments were as follows: larvae fed with HUFA+20% and HUFA+50% (w/w) vitamin E-enriched Artemia nauplii (E1 and E2 groups, respectively), HUFA without vitamin E (HUFA group) and non-enriched Artemia (control group). All treatments fed non-enriched Artemia for the initial 5 days after first feeding and then fed enriched Artemia for 7 days. After the period of enrichment, larvae were fed with daphnia from the 13th to the 40th day. At day 40, submersion in salt water (6 ppt for 4 days and 12 ppt for 2 days) and warm water (33 °C for 2 days) was performed to evaluate larvae resistance to salinity and temperature stress. Final weight, daily growth rate, specific growth rate and weight gain were higher in beluga fed with enriched Artemia . The highest growth rates were observed in E1, whereas survival was not significantly different between groups. Use of vitamin E and HUFA significantly increased fish resistance to a salinity of 12 ppt and the lowest stress resistance was observed in the control group. Stress tolerance was not significantly different at 6 ppt and 33 °C between groups. There was no comparable difference in the haematocrit index under stress conditions. These results indicated that the enrichment of Artemia with essential fatty acids and vitamin E can affect some growth and stress tolerance factors in great sturgeon, Huso huso , larvae.     

Fatty acid composition of New Zealand green-lipped mussels, Perna canaliculus: Implications for harvesting for n-3 extracts

Marine bivalves offer a potentially important source of long-chained polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for human health supplements. Lipid extracts from individual New Zealand green-lipped mussels (NZGLM) were analyzed as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) by gas chromatography to assess geographical and seasonal differences between large (86 ± 1 mm) male and female and small (44 ± 1 mm) mussels. PUFAs dominated in spring and summer, comprising ∼ 50% of total fatty acids. Moreover, the commercially important n-3 fatty acids, 20:5n-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) together accounted for 70-79% of total PUFAs in spring and summer. During winter there was a marked decrease in condition and total n-3 PUFAs and a concomitant increase in saturated fatty acids in mussels, suggesting they had already spawned, had increased metabolic demands and limited PUFA-rich phytoplankton as food. While total n-3 content was not significantly different, there were geographical differences in individual n-3 fatty acids. Mussels collected from the cooler waters of Stewart Island had greater levels of 20:5n-3 (EPA), while those collected in Marlborough had greater concentrations of 22:6n-3 (DHA), which was attributed mainly to differences in phytoplankton composition. Total n-3 content and the condition index varied seasonally with greater concentrations of n-3 PUFAs, especially EPA, recorded in large mussels in spring, coincident with spring diatom blooms. Total PUFA levels and condition indices remained high in summer. There was no significant difference in condition indices, total n-3 content, DHA or EPA levels between large male and female mussels. Conversely, large mussels had significantly greater amounts of n-3 PUFAs than small mussels at Marlborough Sounds, while small mussels had marginally greater total n-3 concentrations than large mussels at Stewart Island. Taken together, these results suggest that the NZGLM offers a potentially important source of n-3 PUFAs for human health supplements. Our findings suggest that optimal harvesting conditions occur in spring when mussel condition and n-3 content peak for large mussels. Although DHA and EPA levels varied geographically, total n-3 content was not significantly different between sites, which implies that harvesting mussels for n-3 extracts would be driven more by logistical considerations.     

5种微藻在红鳍东方鲀仔鱼培育中的效果研究

用5种富含EPA、DHA等高不饱和脂肪酸的海洋微藻强化褶皱臂尾轮虫、卤虫无节幼体,用强化后的轮虫和卤虫无节幼体投喂红鳍东方鲀仔鱼。结果显示:n-3HUFA(尤其是DHA、EPA)对提高仔鱼的成活率、生长率和耐高盐能力都有重要作用,DHA效果好于EPA,用EPA代替部分DHA是可行的,但过量的AA对仔鱼生长有抑制作用,并降低仔鱼的耐高盐能力。5种微藻中,H24、H61和H24 C95组效果较好,C95效果一般,B222、R165效果较差。     

Prey–predator dynamics in seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus): deciphering fatty acid clues

Understanding the flow of fatty acids between trophic levels can provide important clues on prey–predator dynamics and nutritional requirements of the species. This study investigates the fatty acid flow between enrichment emulsions, Artemia nauplii and Hippocampus guttulatus juveniles, and evaluates the nutritional value of enriched and unenriched Artemia for newborn seahorses. The fatty acid profile of Artemia and seahorses generally reflected the dietary composition, but fatty acids were not linearly transferred between trophic levels. The incorporation of dietary fatty acids showed to be a more complex process involving dietary composition, predator metabolism and nutritional requirements. Artemia composition resulted from a dynamic balance between what was assimilated and metabolized by the nauplii during enrichment. Prey fatty acids were incorporated in seahorses, but HUFA, particularly DHA, were selectively retained to fulfil their high requirements. H. guttulatus newborns were not successfully reared on Artemia nauplii, not even on enriched Artemia, with low survival rates (15.0–26.7%) being observed in all feeding treatments. The high MUFA content and low DHA level of Artemia did not fulfil the high SFA and PUFA requirements of newborn juveniles, particularly their great DHA demands. Higher survivorship was obtained with enriched Artemia, but no differences were detected in juvenile growth.     

Relationship between dietary phospholipid classes and neutral lipid absorption in newly-weaned turbot, shape Scophthalmus maximus

A 28-day feeding trial was conducted for comparing the effect of different dietary phospholipid (PL) classes on the growth of post-larval turbot and on the incorporation of dietary neutral lipid fatty acids into their body lipids. Prior to the experiment the turbot were weaned for one week on a PL-free diet. The nine experimental diets were isolipidic and contained an equal amount of highly unsaturated fatty acids in the form of ethyl esters. They differed by their PL content (0, 1 or 2%) and by the PL class composition of the added soybean PL fractions.Compared to the PL-free diet, diets enriched with phosphatidylcholine (PC) resulted in a better growth, a higher triglyceride content (% body dry matter) and increased levels of docosahexaenoic acid (% total fatty acids) in each of the examined body lipid classes (neutral lipid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol). The effects of the other soybean PL fractions were less explicit than those noted for soybean PC.The results support the idea that dietary PC plays a role in the intestinal absorption of neutral lipid fatty acids. This might, at least partially, explain the superiority of PC for enhancing growth. Abbreviations: DHA – docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3); EPA – eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3); HUFA – highly unsaturated fatty acid; PA – phosphatidic acid; PC – phosphatidylcholine; PE – phosphatidylethanolamine; PI – phosphatidylinositol; PL – phospholipid; PS – phosphatidylserine; PUFA – polyunsaturated fatty acid.     

HUFA content and DHA/EPA improvements of Artemia sp. with commercial oils during different enrichment periods

Several commercial oils of plant and animal origin were tested in order to improve the HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio of Artemia sp. metanauplii. The relationship between the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid series, and more recently, the DHA:EPA ratio seem to be indicators for better survival and growth of marine fish larvae. The tested plant oils were derived from linseed, peanut and sunflower, and the animal oils came from squid, sardine, cod liver and Selco emulsion. For each oil emulsion tested, four different enrichment periods (9, 24, 33 and 48 h) were evaluated in the same Artemia sp. strain (Artemia EG from Artemia Systems Inc., Baasrode, Belgium). The results show that oil emulsions of plant origin give very poor results in relation to either HUFA content or DHA:EPA ratio. All the oil emulsions from animal origin resulted in HUFA incorporation. Sardine oil was the poorest and squid oil the best. The HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio increased with enrichment periods up to 33 h, followed by a negligible variation up to the final 48 h.     

Time kinetics of fatty acid changes in phospholipids following enrichment and starvation of Artemia franciscana with a main focus on docosahexaenoic acid

The main objective was to study time kinetics of change in important highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) of Artemia franciscana nauplii and juveniles following enrichment and subsequent starvation. Samples of Artemia nauplii were taken at variable times (0.5–24 h) following enrichment and starvation. Samples of Artemia juveniles were taken after 2, 3 and 4 days of cultivation. No docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was found in PC and PE of Artemia nauplii during the first hour of enrichment, while a significant (P < 0.05) increase was found in total lipids (TLs). The content of DHA in PC and PE increased thereafter steadily from 1 to 8 h of enrichment. DHA in PC and PE during enrichment (1–8 h) and following starvation (8–24 h), respectively, increased and decreased significantly (P < 0.05), but at a lower rate than that in TL. Moreover, juvenile Artemia (2–4 days) contained a relatively low level of DHA in TL compared with enriched Artemia nauplii, but the content of DHA in PC and PE was similar. The results open perspectives for both industry and science. For scientific studies, the lag phase in HUFA enrichment makes it possible to produce Artemia nauplii with variable relative HUFA enrichments in phospholipids and TL.