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 beta-carotene, vitamin C and glutathione, bioactive molecules such as PUFA, and the immunostimulant polysaccharide beta-glucan, it represents a valuable alternative for enriching the diets of Artemia and increase its nutritional value as a food item.
Natural vitamin E enrichment of Artemia salina fed freshwater and marine microalgae
Vestri S;Kusmic C;Barsanti L;Gualtieri P
2003
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 beta-carotene, vitamin C and glutathione, bioactive molecules such as PUFA, and the immunostimulant polysaccharide beta-glucan, it represents a valuable alternative for enriching the diets of Artemia and increase its nutritional value as a food item.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
