Australian researchers study shelf life of microalgae:Results could help hatchery managers with production plans and labor costs

摘要

A new study out of Australia finds that certain microalgae concentrates have a longer shelf life than others and could replace or supplement traditional live microalgae traditionally used in hatcheries to feed certain fish and shellfish larvae. The process in maintaining live microalgae in the hatchery has been considered, by many, to be a bottleneck for managers because of the high cost and labor requirements necessary to grow and sustain the fresh algae on site.The new study tested the effect of storage conditions - refrigeration and freezing -on the fatty acid profiles of four concentrated species of microalgae: Nannochloropsis sp., Danaliella tertiolecta, Entomoneis punctulata, and Melosira dubia.To qualify as a viable alternative to fresh microalgae cultures, microalgal concentrates kept in basic storage conditions should have a shelf life of at least two months, demonstrated by a stable biochemical profile over that time period.