Effects of yeast and algal diets on the growth and biochemical composition of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (Müller) in culture

Abstract. Growth rates and fecundity of Brachionus plicatilis fed baker's yeast, a diatom, and three different flagellates, were monitored during a 15-day feeding trial. Identical growing conditions and equivalent food levels for the different diets were maintained during rotifer culture. The highest growth rate and mean fecundity were exhibited by rotifers fed Chlorella saccharophila , followed in decreasing order by those fed Isochrysis galbana (T-iso), Tetraselmis suecica, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Thalassiosira pseudonana . Significant differences in contents of neutral lipids, polar lipids, sugars, glycogen, protein, ash and corresponding energy reserves in the resultant five groups of rotifers were diet dependent. Total available energy, about 15 kJ/g in rotifers fed S. cerevisiae and I. galbana (T-iso) was significantly different from the 14kJ/g in rotifers fed T. suecica and C saccharophila, and in turn from the 13kJ/g in rotifers fed T. pseudonana .