Abstract
The vast majority of the world’s fishery by-products are utilized in the fish farming industry. However, due to the high cost and unsustainability of these by-products, alternative sources must be found. Marine diatoms produce important amounts of fatty acids, sterols, proteins and carbohydrates. In this work, we assessed the nutritional value of Halamphora coffeaeformis at the exponential growth phase, to determine its suitability for aquafeed. The strain was grown in a photobioreactor at 20 °C for 6 days. The production of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates was determined, and essential fatty acid, sterol and amino acid composition was assessed. The highest values of triacylglycerides (TAG), free and esterified sterols, proteins and carbohydrates were found after 6 days of growth in the photobioreactor. Fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography showed the presence of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and arachidonic (ARA) in amounts similar to those for fish oils. In terms of sterols, a predominance of stigmasterol was observed, followed by cholesterol. The amino acid composition revealed 50% of them to be among those essential for fish and other aquatic animals. Finally, a suitable amount of carbohydrates was found in H. coffeaeformis cultures. Together, these findings support the use of H. coffeaeformis as an alternative and sustainable source for aquafeed to partially replace the use of fishery by-products.
Highlights
In recent years, microalgae have emerged as potential sources of food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products, as well as animal feed
Fishmeal represents the main source of proteins and essential long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA)
The crucial factors are growth rate and essential nutrient composition, both of which can be improved through adjustment of environmental factors and culture strategies, to obtain a sufficient biomass of greater nutritional value [4]
Summary
Microalgae have emerged as potential sources of food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic products, as well as animal feed. There is increasing interest in reducing the dependence on this resource due to its unsustainability and variable cost and supply [2] In this context, microalgae have emerged as appropriate candidates due to their accessibility, adaptability and nutrient composition [3]. The crucial factors are growth rate and essential nutrient composition, both of which can be improved through adjustment of environmental factors and culture strategies, to obtain a sufficient biomass of greater nutritional value [4]. Halamphora coffeaeformis is a marine benthic diatom isolated from Bahía Blanca Estuary, Argentina (Southwestern Atlantic coast) This strain was selected due to its apparent fast growth in culture, its adequate cell size as food for marine planktonic larvae [5] and because it belongs to the Bacillariophyceae class, mostly considered as adequate food for the larvae [6]. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable input on the potential of this species as feedstock for aquaculture
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