Tetraselmis suecica is a marine green microalga, single-celled and flagellate, with four flagella and an ovoid cell covered by a theca. It is one of the reference microalgae as live feed in aquaculture thanks to its high protein and lipid content, good digestibility and robustness in cultivation.
Characteristics
- ▪Ovoid green cell with four flagella.
- ▪High protein and lipid content.
- ▪Good digestibility as live feed.
- ▪Robust and fast-growing in marine medium.
Cultivation
It is grown in marine or brackish medium, both in photobioreactors and ponds, and is common in aquaculture hatcheries. Its robustness eases production at scale.
Applications
Live feed in aquaculture (larvae, molluscs)Animal feedBiomass and proteinBiofuels (under study)
FAQ
Mainly as live feed in aquaculture: it feeds and enriches fish and mollusc larvae thanks to its high nutritional value and good digestibility.
Sources
- Richmond, A. & Hu, Q. (eds.) (2013). Handbook of Microalgal Culture: Applied Phycology and Biotechnology. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Spolaore, P. et al. (2006). Commercial applications of microalgae. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 101(2), 87–96.
- Khan, M.I., Shin, J.H. & Kim, J.D. (2018). The promising future of microalgae: current status, challenges, and optimization of a sustainable and renewable industry for biofuels, feed, and other products. Microbial Cell Factories, 17:36.
Scientific outreach based on specialised literature. Scientific review: pending.