Supplementation of EPA and
DHA emulsions to a Dunaliella tertiolecta diet: effect on growth and
lipid composition of scallop larvae, Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck,
1819)
N.
Nevejan, I. Saez, G. Gajardo, P. Sorgeloos-2002
Aquaculture, 217(1-4): 613-632
Abstract:
Hatchery-reared Argopecten purpuratus larvae
were fed a Dunaliella tertiolecta-diet (DUN-diet) supplemented with
0%, 20% or 40% of a highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) lipid emulsion
(ICES Reference Emulsions), rich in docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3,
DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA). A standard diet
(ST-diet), consisting of a mixture of Isochrysis galbana (T-iso) and Chaetoceros
neogracile was used as a positive control. The supplementation of 20%
and 40% HUFA-emulsion to the DUN-diet led to a significantly better daily
growth rate (136–177% as compared to DUN-diet) and a higher percentage of
eyed-pediveliger larvae in comparison with the non-supplemented DUN-diet.
Practically no eyed-larvae were present when fed with D. tertiolecta
only, whereas 17% of the larvae developed an eyespot when fed a 20%
HUFA-supplement. An increase of the lipid supplement from 20% to 40% further
improved the larval performance, although the difference was not significant
and less than compared with the changes between the non-supplemented
DUN-diet and the DUN+20%-diet. The poor performance of larvae that received D.
tertiolecta only was attributed to the depletion of the lipid reserves
in the triglyceride fraction and possibly to the very low levels of
saturated fatty acids 14:0 and 16:0, rather than to the low levels of EPA
and DHA (in absolute terms). Limited biosynthesis of DHA from EPA as a
precursor molecule is proposed. Despite similar relative and absolute fatty
acid levels of DHA and EPA in larvae that received the ST-diet and the
DUN+40%HUFA-diet, the former performed significantly better. Other factors
such as the arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) content and the n-3/n-6
ratio are suggested to play a determining role.
(Laboratory of Aquaculture & Artemia Reference
Center, Ghent University, Rozier 44, 9000, Ghent, Belgium, e-mail of P.
Sorgeloos: patrick.sorgeloos@rug.ac.be)