Natural vitamin E enrichment
of Artemia salina fed freshwater and marine microalgae
R.
Vismara, S. Vestri, C. Kusmic, L. Barsanti, P. Gualtieri -2003
Journal of Applied Phycology, 15(1):
75-80
Abstract:
Three species of microalga, the freshwater Euglena
gracilis and the marine Dunaliella salina and Tetraselmis
suecica, were compared in terms of vitamin E enrichment and survival
and growth of the brine shrimp Artemia salina. The tocopherol
content was investigated using HPLC for the post-larval and pre-adult stages
of Artemia fed the microalgae and the results compared to the
initial content of unfed newly hatched nauplii. There was a markedly higher
content of tocopherols (about two-fold) in Artemia fed Euglena.
Since this microalga contains other antioxidants such as β-carotene,
vitamin C and glutathione, bioactive molecules such as PUFA, and the
immunostimulant polysaccharide β-glucan,
it represents a valuable alternative for enriching the diets of Artemia
and increase its nutritional value as a food item.
(CNR Area della Ricerca Pisa,
Istituto di Biofisica, Via Moruzzi 1, Pisa, 56124, Italy, e-mail of P.
Gualtieri: paolo.gualtieri@ib.pi.cnr.it)