부산대학교 도서관

The marine microalgae Nannochloropsis salina and Chaetoceros calcitrans are commonly used to mass culture and enrich the S-type rotifer, Brachionus rotundiformis. The current study observes the variations in life history parameters and biochemical composition of B. rotundiformis against different algal cell densities viz., 2 × 106 cells mL−1, 4 × 106 cells mL−1, 6 × 106 cells mL−1, 8 × 106 cells mL−1, and 10 × 106 cells mL−1. In Experiment I, the rotifer was grown and enriched using N. salina at five test cell densities designated by NS-200, NS-400, NS-600, NS-800, and NS-1000. In Experiment II, the rotifer was fed C. calcitrans in different density-based feeding trials—CC-200, CC-400, CC-600, CC-800, and CC-1000. Population density, instantaneous growth rate (K), and egg ratio were the life history parameters assessed. In N. salina-fed-rotifer, the maximum values of all growth indices, protein and lipid coincided with the NS-800 treatment (p < 0.05). In the case of C. calcitrans-fed-rotifer, the samplings from CC-600 treatment showed higher (p < 0.05) estimates of population density, protein, and total lipid content. The results indicated the enhancement of growth rate and deposition of essential organic fraction at an intermediary food concentration of N. salina (8 × 106 cells mL−1) and C. calcitrans (6 × 106 cells mL−1).