Characterization of ferric-induced Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis oculata flocs and its initial assessment as aquaculture feeds for Litopenaeus vannamei.

• Main Author: Loh, Andy Lee.
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Botany
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/16347
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Ferric-induced flocculation studies were carried out to characterize flocculated marine microalgae; Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis oculata were analyzed for this experimental setup. The present study aims to characterize the flocculation efficiency of the respective microalgae, optimal ferric concentration required for flocculation and general trend in floc size in relation to the effect of the addition of increasing ferric chloride concentration. Besides characterization of the ferric-induced flocculated microalgae, a preliminary assessment of the potential of flocculated microalgae as postlarvae feeds for Litopenaeus vannamei was conducted and the results suggested that the use of flocculated Nannochloropsis oculata as an aquaculture feed was feasible and sustainable. Furthermore, analysis on the physico-chemical water parameters suggested that both microalgae species were able to maintain good water quality by reducing the ammonia and phosphate levels in the rearing tanks. Hence, another possible application of flocculated Tetraselmis suecica and Nannochloropsis oculata in aquaculture is to manage good water quality.