Nutritional effect of three microalgae and one cyanobacteria on the culture of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller: 1786

Abstract

Three microalgae and one dehydrated cyanobacteria were tested to determine the best concen­tration and the best food for the culture of a local strain of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis type L. The observations were: density of rotifers, fecundity and biochemical analyses (carbohydrates, proteins and total lipids). Of the food tested, Nannochloris sp., with a density of 25 × 10⁶ cells.ml^–1, produced the best yields and fecundities in the rotifer culture, followed by Nannochloropsis sp. at 25 x 10⁶ cells.ml^–1, Chlorella sp. at 35 × 10⁶ cells. ml^–1 and, finally, dried Spirulina sp. with densities of 0.67 and 0.9 g per 1.5-l volume (fecundity and density, respectively). According to the biochemical analyses, the best food was Chiarella sp., followed by Nannochloropsis sp., Nannochloris sp. and dried Spirulina sp. It is concluded that Nannochloropsis sp. and Nannochloris sp., at a concentration of 25 × 10⁶ cells. ml^–1, are suitable feeds for the culture of B. plicatilis.