Biomass and elemental composition (C.H.N.) of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis cultured as larval food

Abstract

Changes in dry weight, carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and ash content of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis were investigated during population growth in culture. Also caloric equivalent was estimated from carbon content. Body dry weight and weight of C, N, and H increased with increasing the egg/female ratio of the population, while ash content remained constant. As percentage of dry weight, C content increased with fecundity, H and N remained constant and ash content decreased. The caloric equivalent ranged from 1278 µcal to 4406 µcal for rotifers from 314 µg to 846 µg of dry weight.