Selection of Suitable Species of Chlorella, Nannochloris, and Nannochloropsis in High- and Low-Temperature Seasons for Mass Culture of the Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis

To find seasonally optimal microalgae for mass culture of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, the growth rates of 12 microalgal species (two marine Chlorella spp., five marine Nannochloris spp., two marine Nannochloropsis spp., one estuarine Nannochloropsis sp., and two estuarine Chlorella spp.) were compared at $25^{\circ}C$ at 15 psu and 30 psu. Among these, six species showing high growth rates were chosen and examined again at high ($30^{\circ}C$ and $32^{\circ}C$) and low ($10^{\circ}C$) temperatures. Their amino and fatty acids and the dietary value of the rotifers that fed on each microalgal species were examined. Nannochloris sp. (KMMCC-119) and Chlorella vulgaris (KMMCC-120) showed the highest growth rates at temperatures over $30^{\circ}C$ and at $10^{\circ}C$, respectively. The growth rate of Nannochloris was higher than those of Chlorella and Nannochloropsis at high temperatures, but lower than those of the latter at low temperatures. The growth rate of rotifers fed on Nannochloropsis was highest and that of those fed on Chlorella was lowest. Levels of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were highest in Nannochloropsis and lowest in Nannochloris. However, total amino acid content was highest in Nannochloris and lowest in Chlorella. In conclusion, Nannochloropsis sp. (KMMCC-33) was the best microalgal species for the mass culture of the rotifer. However, during high- or low-temperature seasons in which Nannochloropsis does not grow well, Nannochloris spp. (KMMCC-119, 395) and C. vulgaris (KMMCC-120) would adequately replace Nannochloropsis sp. (KMMCC-33).