In search of a reference protein to replace "vitamin-free casein" in lobster nutrition studies

Abstract

The possible nutritional value of proteins prepared by isopropanol extraction of soft flesh of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis), mussels (Mytilus edulis L.), crab (Cancer irroratus), and shrimp tails (Penaeus sp.) was compared with casein in semipurified diets for juvenile lobsters. So that results of the feeding trial could be compared with other nutrition studies, a standard casein–albumin diet and frozen adult brine shrimp (Artemia salina) were fed as reference diets. While diets containing crab, mussel, and sea urchin protein all resulted in significantly greater survival than the casein-based diet, the diet containing crab protein alone was superior in both growth and survival. The diet consisting of shrimp protein was inferior to casein in all respects. The possibility of replacing casein with a crab protein isolate in reference diets for lobster nutrition studies is discussed.