Impact of a polyunsaturated fatty acid supplement on enriching the nutritional value of brine shrimp nauplii, Artemia sp.

Abstract

The first aim of the study was to determine the impact the commercial product S.presso (INVE Aquaculture, Belgium) had on enriching the proximate composition of brine shrimp (Artemia sp.). The second aim of the study was to develop a better enrichment protocol for preparing enriched brine shrimp larvae. Two different enrichment protocols were investigated; the supplement was administered in either one (0.5 g L-1) or two equal (0.25 g L-1) doses. Using S.presso to enrich brine shrimp nauplii with polyunsaturated fatty acids resulted in higher levels of total lipids and higher quantities of docosahexaenoic acid DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid EPA deposition. Additionally, the enrichment supplement did not lead to overall lowered protein content values caused by increased hydrolytic activity that likely facilitates digestion in larval fish as they shift to exogenous feeding.