Growth and survival of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) larvae fed from first feeding on compound diets containing medium-chain triacylglycerols

A 21-day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the ability of first feeding European sea bass larvae to utilize medium-chain triacylglycerols as an alternative source of energy. Three compound diets based on soluble fish protein concentrate and yeast were supplemented with either 3% tricaproin (TC6), tricaprylin (TC8) or tricaprin (TC10). A diet containing triolein (TOL) was used as a reference diet. Diets were tested on four replicate groups of first feeding European sea bass larvae at 20°C, i.e. 6 days after hatching. At the end of the 21-day trial, TC8 yielded significantly higher survival (57±8% vs. 28±11% for the three other groups). Considered together, larvae fed TC8 and TC6 displayed better growth rates than larvae fed TOL and TC10 (final mean wet weights: 1.5±0.3 mg vs. 1.2±0.2 mg, respectively). The fatty acid composition of larval total lipid revealed a low deposit of medium-chain fatty acids (between 1 and 3% of total fatty acids) suggesting that medium-chain fatty acids were oxidized for energetic purposes. Tricaprylin and to a lesser extent tricaproin, appear to be potential energy sources for first feeding European sea bass larvae reared on compound diets.