Salinity of the growth medium is important for production potential and nutritional value of white worms (Enchytraeus albidus Henle)

Salinity of the growth medium is important for production potential and nutritional value of white worms (Enchytraeus albidus Henle)

Enchytraeus albidus is a small euryhaline earthworm that is abundant in the supralittoral zone where it can be found in decaying seaweed. This species is readily mass‐cultured, and due to its relatively high contents of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), there has been a renewed intere...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Aquaculture research Vol. 51; no. 7; pp. 2885 - 2892
Main Authors: Holmstrup, Martin, Hovvang, Mathilde H., Slotsbo, Stine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Oxford Hindawi Limited 01-07-2020
Subjects:
Algae
Biomass
eicosapentaenoic acid
Enchytraeus albidus
Euryhalinity
Fatty acids
Fish
fish feed
Fish feeds
Growth
Lipids
mass production
Mineral nutrients
Nutrient content
Nutrients
Nutritive value
Phospholipids
Polyunsaturated fatty acids
protein content
Proteins
Reproduction
Salinity
Salinity effects
Seaweeds
Storage
Substrates
Supralittoral zone
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Summary:Enchytraeus albidus is a small euryhaline earthworm that is abundant in the supralittoral zone where it can be found in decaying seaweed. This species is readily mass‐cultured, and due to its relatively high contents of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), there has been a renewed interest in this species as an alternative source of valuable nutrients for fish feed. Here, we have investigated the influence of substrate salinity (0, 1, 2, 8, 15, 30 and 40 ppt) on reproduction, growth and nutrient content of worms. We found that intermediate salinities (8–15 ppt) of the substrate maximize biomass production as well as protein and PUFA contents of the worm tissue. In particular, we observed that the often used culturing of E. albidus in non‐saline growth medium resulted in low reproduction and biomass production. Increasing the salinity from 0 to 15 ppt resulted in a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids both in storage lipid and in membrane phospholipid fractions.
ISSN:1355-557X
1365-2109
DOI:10.1111/are.14627