| OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
The challenge of this study consists in designing a high density rearing technique using an artificial diet for the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis. The artificial diet will be developed starting from the high performing recently released diet for the high-density batch culture of rotifers.
An appropriate recirculation system will be designed to maintain an optimal water quality during the rearing procedure and hence reduce manipulation and stress of the rotifer population. It will be based on existing recirculation systems, including settlement tank, biological filter and additional water purification systems (like protein skimmers and ozone treatment). The use of a high quality diet and the application of the recirculation culture system will result in nutritionally and microbiologically high quality rotifers. Besides the biological advances the new concept will have several industrial implications not the least by an expected tenfold increase in production at a reduced labor cost.
The developed system will be demonstrated to European hatchery people during a workshop that will take place at the end of the project period. |