Nutritional composition of rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis Muller) cultured using selected natural diets

Abstract

The rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis Muller) was cultured by feeding on phytoplankton monocultures (Nannochloropsis sp. and Isochrysis galbana), mixed algal cultures (Nannochloropsis sp. + Isochrysis galbana; at 1:1 ratio), and a probiotic culture (Nannochloropsis sp. + Bacillus licheniformis MTCC 6824 at 1:1 ratio). Biochemical compositions of rotifers fed on different diets were determined on day 4 of the culture. Protein and total lipid levels were the maximum when fed with I. galbana (46.02 ± 0.226% and 36.1 ± 0.07% respectively). Though dry matter content was the highest in the probiotic culture (5.4 ± 0.1%), ash free dry weight was the highest for those fed with Nannochloropsis sp. Carbohydrate was the highest (14.62 ± 0.1%) in rotifers fed with Nannochloropsis sp. Total amino acids excluding tryptophan was found to be 28.93 g 100 g rotifer-1 when fed with Nannochloropsis sp. The maximum energy content per gram dry rotifer sample was 17.61 K calories when fed with Nannochloropsis sp. Rotifer density, lipid, carbohydrate and protein content of rotifers fed with I. galbana and Nannochloropsis sp. indicate that these are the most suitable diets for the rotifer.