Biofloc contribution to antioxidant defence status, lipid nutrition and reproductive performance of broodstock of the shrimp Litopenaeus stylirostris: Consequences for the quality of eggs and larvae

The aim of this study was to determine biofloc contributions to the antioxidant status and lipid nutrition of broodstock of Litopenaeus stylirostris in relationship with their reproductive performance and the health of larvae produced. Shrimp broodstock reared with Biofloc technology (BFT) compared to Clear water (CW) exhibited a higher health status with (i) a better final survival rate during the reproduction period (52.6% in CW against 79.8% in BFT); (ii) higher glutathione level (GSH) and total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced oxidized/reduced glutathione ratio and a higher spawning rate and frequency as well as higher gonado-somatic index and number of spawned eggs. Finally, larvae from broodstock from BFT exhibited higher survival rates at the Zoe 2 (+ 37%) and Post Larvae 1 (+ 51%) stages when compared with those from females from CW treatment. The improved reproductive performance of the broodstock and higher larvae survival rate resulting from BFT treatment may be linked to the dietary supplement obtained by the shrimp from natural productivity during BFT rearing. Indeed, our study confirms that biofloc particulates represent a potential source of dietary glutathione and a significant source of lipids, particularly essential phospholipids and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) for shrimps. Thus, broodstock from BFT treatment accumulated phospholipids, n-3 HUFA and arachidonic acid, which are necessary for vitellogenesis, embryogenesis and pre-feeding larval development. The predominant essential fatty acids, arachidonic acid (ARA), eicopentaeonic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), had levels in the eggs that were, respectively, 2.5, 2.8 and 3 fold higher for BFT compared to the CW treatment. Statement of Relevance Today, the influence of biofloc technology on shrimp broodstock is not enough described and no information was available on the larvae quality. Moreover, two key pieces of new information emerge from the present study. Firstly, biofloc is a source of further dietary lipids that can act as energetic substrates, but also as a source of phospholipids and essential fatty acids necessary to sustain reproduction, embryonic and larval development. Second, improving the reproduction of the broodstock also leads to an improvement in the quality of the larvae. We think that our research is new and important to increase knowledge on biofloc topic. We believe the paper will contribute to the development of more efficient and therefore more sustainable systems.

Light and dark carbon uptake by Dinophysis species in comparison to other photosynthetic and heterotrophic dinoflagellates

The marine dinoflagellate genus Dinophysis includes species that are the causative agents of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP). Recent findings indicate that some Dinophysis species are mixotrophic, i.e. capable of both autotrophic and heterotrophic nutrition. We investigated inorganic (and organic) carbon uptake by several species of Dinophysis in the Light and dark using the 'single-cell C-14 method', and compared uptake rates with those of photosynthetic Ceratium species and heterotrophic dinoflagellates in the genus Protoperidinium. Experiments were conducted with water from the Gullmar Fjord and from the Koster Strait (Swedish west coast). Nutrient-enriched phytoplankton from surface water samples were concentrated (20 to 70 mu m) and incubated at in situ temperature under artificial light conditions with high concentrations of inorganic C-14 (1 mu Ci ml(-1)). Individual cells of each desired species were manually isolated under a microscope and transferred to scintillation vials. C. tripes showed net C-14 uptake only during light periods, whereas both C. lineatum and C. furca showed C-14 uptake in the Light as well as uptake (and sometimes losses) in the dark. Dinophysis species had similar carbon fixation rates in Light compared to Ceratium species. For D. acuminata and D. norvegica, net carbon uptake occurred in both Light and dark periods. D. acuta showed a loss of carbon in the dark in one experiment, but in another, dark C uptake was significantly higher than uptake in Light. When exposed to Light, C. furca, D. norvegica and D. acuta had high specific carbon uptake rates. Growth rates for the different species were calculated from C-14 uptake by the cells during the first hours of incubation in light. D. acuminata and D. norvegica had similar maximum growth rates, 0.59 and 0.63 d(-1) (mu); the maximum growth rate of D. acuta was lower (0.41 d(-1)). The positive dark carbon uptake by Dinophysis may suggest a mixotrophic mode of nutrition. In one experiment, both D. norvegica and D. acuta showed a significantly higher carbon uptake in a dark bottle than in a Light bottle, which would be consistent with uptake of C-14-labeled organic matter by D. norvegica and D. acuta. Demonstration of direct uptake of dissolved and particulate organic matter would provide conclusive evidence of mixotrophy and this will require the development of new protocols for measuring organic matter uptake applicable to Dinophysis in the natural assemblages.