Thasreefa K

Production of marine microalga Picochlorum maculatum MACC3 based feed for aquaculture nutrition

The marine microalga Picochlorum maculatum MACC3, a picoeukaryote isolated from the the west coast of India was identified as a potential producer of carotenoids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including linoleic acid, linolenic acid, eicosatetraenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, with GLA as the prominent PUFA. The conventional source of PUFA includes oils from plant seeds and some marine fishes. To meet future demand, marine microalgae like Picochlorum maculatum MACC3 can be used as an alternative source. PUFA has many advantages in improving animal health as well as other secondary metabolites from P. maculatum MACC3 have anti-oxidant and immuno-stimulant properties; and therefore, studies on preventive nutrition are highly relevant. Based on the results of the previous research, P. maculatum MACC3 was proposed as a fish feed additive after accomplishing in vivo studies under laboratory and field conditions. Safety of the microalgal biomass harvested through flocculation was evaluated and confirmed by testing the cell cytotoxicity in human, fish and insect cell lines. Further studies to establish the alga for aquaculture feed application is going on. As a significant outcome of the study, the marine microalga Picochlorum maculatum MACC3-based feed supplement will be made available for aquaculture farmers and industries.