Fundamental studies on the physiology of rotifers in mass culture—V. Dry Chlorella powder as a food for rotifers

Abstract

The dietary value of dried, commercial Chlorella was compared with that of living marine Chlorella, and yeast, in relation to growth of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis raised individually and by batch culture methods. A concentration of 50 μg/ml of dried Chlorella powder is near an optimal density for rotifer growth. The dried material in suspension is less effective for growth than living marine Chlorella, although it is much more effective than a suspension of yeast at the same density (50 μg/ml). In batch culture (12-l glass vessel), the rotifers grew from an initial inoculation of 13.2 individuals/ml to a density of 434 individuals/ml by the 16th day. About 10 7 rotifers could be removed from one batch culture in five harvests in the 41-day experimental period. The results indicate that dried Chlorella powder is an effective food for the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis.