HUFA content and DHA/EPA improvements of Artemia sp. with commercial oils during different enrichment periods

Several commercial oils of plant and animal origin were tested in order to improve the HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio of Artel,lia sp. metanauplii . The relationship between the n-3 and n-6 fatty acid series, and more rece ntly, the DHA:EPA ratio seem to be indicators for better survival and growt h of marine fish larvae, The tested plant oils were derived from linseed, p eanut and sunflower, and the animal oils came from squid, sardine, cod live r and Selco emulsion. For each oil emulsion tested, four different enrichme nt periods (9, 24, 33 and 48 h) were evaluated in the same Artemia sp. stra in (Artemia EG from Artemia Systems Inc., Baasrode, Belgium). The results s how that oil emulsions of plant origin give very poor results in relation t o either HUFA content or DHA:EPA ratio. All the oil emulsions from animal o rigin resulted in HUFA incorporation. Sardine oil was the poorest and squid oil the best. The HUFA content and the DHA:EPA ratio increased with enrich ment periods up to 33 h, followed by a negligible variation up to the final 48 h.