As part of the AquaVIP experimental activities researchers of the Division of Experimental Ecology of Marine Organisms, University of Gdańsk are collecting invertebrates in the Gulf of Gdańsk area. Samples are being prepared for analysis for the content of fatty acids, lipids, carbon and nitrogen. The first studies will be carried out on three crustacean species: Palamoen elegans, Palaemon adspersus, and Platorchestia platensis, as well as bivalve Rangia cuneata.
This is the first stage of the experiment: Native and non-native invertebrates from the Baltic Sea: as a food source for humans or in the future fish farm. Intensive growth of aquaculture creates new challenges to sustainably meet feed supply needs, particularly to replace fish meal and fish oil, which are sources of long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs). It was long assumed that LC-PUFAs were produced solely by microorganisms, but recent studies proved that some aquatic invertebrates are able to produce PUFAs. The whole AquaVIP experiment focuses on the estimation of nutritional value of benthic invertebrates living in the Baltic Sea. Native and non-native invertebrates will be studied (e.g. Palaemon elegans, Palaemon adspersus, Platorchestia platensis and Rangia cuneata). Organic matter, C, N and lipids, PUFAs analysis will be performed.
Photo: Palamoen elegans
Source & Photo credit (Radosław Brzana, University of Gdańsk)