Effect of microalgae diets on growth, proximate and fatty acid composition of black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to evalute the growth, proximate and fatty acid composition of Black mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), which are common bivalve species that important for marine aquaculture in last two decades. Nutritional value and growth dynamics are essential for larval and juvenile stages of cultured animals. In this study, four fresh microalgae (Pavlova lutheri, Nannochloropsis oculata, Diacronema vlkianum and Rhinomonas reticulata) have been studied. Mussels collected from the Marmara Sea were adapted to experimental conditions for 2 days and fed for 3 weeks. Shell height, lenght and witdh of mussels were measured. The height and length of mussels fed with Nanochloropsis oculata measured statistically higher than other experimental groups. Shell widths did not show any significant differences among groups. The proximate analysis revealed that Nanochloropsis oculata has the highest protein content and Pavlova lutheri has the highest lipid content. Fatty acid compositions were analyzed at the end of the experiment. Diacronema vlkianum diet revealed the highest docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content. Black mussel fed Pavlova lutheri diet showed the highest eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. Arachidonic acid (ARA) ratios appeared to be similar among mussels fed with all groups.