Does a large-scale continuous algal production system provide a stable supply of fatty acids to bivalve hatcheries?

The variation of fatty acid (FA) content and composition of the microalgal production (Isochrysis sp., Pavlova lutheri and Chaetoceros muelleri) in a continuous large-scale production system (500-L bags) used in hatcheries were analysed. The variation of the FAs was analysed in replicate bags over time for the different species. Total FA content (pg cell−1) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the P. lutheri and C. muelleri bags over time. The content of the essential FAs (arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), n-6 docosapentaenoic acid (n-6 DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) increased over time in all of the species, except for DHA in Isochrysis sp. The content of EPA and ARA were highest in C. muelleri, whilst n-6 DPA and DHA were highest in Isochrysis sp. The FA composition in the C. muelleri bags showed large variability between bags at the beginning of the experiment, but decreased over time. In contrast, the FA composition of Isochrysis sp. and P. lutheri did not vary much over time, but larger variability was observed between the replicate bags. The results indicate that, even though the essential polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) varied between the different species, the total microalgal production secured a stable and increased supply of all the essential PUFAs to the scallop larvae and spat.