Schizochytrium, also known as Schizochytrium sp., is a marine fungus belonging to the phylum Fungi, class Oomycetes, order Labyrinthulomycetes, and family Thraustochytriaceae. It is a single-celled, spherical organism that produces various beneficial bioactive substances for humans, such as oils, pigments, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The nutritional composition of Schizochytrium mainly consists of lipids, proteins, and total sugars, with lipids accounting for over 50% of the cell's dry weight and DHA content reaching more than 20%, making it a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Schizochytrium can be easily cultivated under heterotrophic conditions, allowing for large-scale commercial production. The cellular DHA content can also be controlled by adjusting the culture medium and fermentation process. Therefore, Schizochytrium is an important resource rich in DHA.
The application of Schizochytrium in Aquaculture
The application of Schizochytrium in aquaculture has been studied and shown to have positive effects. Ensuring an adequate amount of DHA in feed can significantly enhance the tolerance of aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and crabs to environmental changes, reduce the incidence of diseases like white spot syndrome, improve survival rates, and promote growth and development. Several domestic producers of Schizochytrium products have conducted a series of application experiments focusing on the addition of Schizochytrium DHA in aquafeeds. The results indicate that Schizochytrium DHA has beneficial effects on improving the hatching rate of rainbow trout, sturgeon, and grouper eggs, as well as the survival rate, meat quality, flesh color, feed conversion ratio, and DHA content in fish.
1. Direct feeding of fresh algal liquid is possible with Schizochytrium, which has a small size (4-13 μm) and can serve as a direct oral feed for aquatic animal fry. It is rich in DHA and easy to cultivate, with high yields. Direct feeding is comparable to breastfeeding for infants and can be used as an excellent high-DHA fortified feed to improve fry growth performance and survival rates. Numerous studies have shown that most shrimp, crab, and mollusk larvae, as well as some fish species, primarily consume plant-based feeds during their early stages, and the type, quantity, and quality of single-cell algae directly determine the success of artificial breeding. Mixing Schizochytrium with other organisms such as oysters can not only reduce the concentration of ammonia nitrogen in the water but also increase the survival rate and growth of the larvae. Research has shown that Schizochytrium can be used as a high-DHA fortified feed for marine fish fry, oysters, and other mollusks.
2. Schizochytrium, a large-scale cultivated microalgae rich in DHA, can be processed and used as a nutritional fortifier in compound feeds. It is commonly referred to as microalgae DHA feed.
Research has shown that the addition of 0.5% fermented Schizochytrium powder to shrimp basic feed significantly promotes growth, reduces feed conversion ratio (FCR) by 3.4%, and increases protein content (approximately 2%) and DHA content (approximately 1%) in the muscle, thereby improving shrimp quality. Another study demonstrated that replacing fish oil with Schizochytrium oil in the diet of Atlantic salmon significantly increased DHA content in the fish tissue.
Furthermore, research indicates that it can increase fish weight and feed conversion rate (FCR), and a 2% inclusion level significantly enhances DHA and total ω-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) levels in the muscle. Experts have also discovered that adding Schizochytrium powder to the feed improves the growth performance of sea cucumbers and significantly enhances the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and lysozyme (LZM) in their coelomic fluid. A 1.25% inclusion level significantly increases the activity of intestinal protease and amylase, stimulating their growth.
3. To enhance the nutrition of animal-based aquafeed, it is possible to use microalgae Schizochytrium, which is rich in PUFA, to fortify secondary feed organisms such as rotifers, brine shrimp, copepods, and Artemia. These secondary feed organisms are commonly used for feeding fish and shrimp larvae and are similar to baby food in terms of nutritional composition. However, they are often deficient in sufficient DHA. Prior to feeding, these secondary feed organisms can be nutritionally fortified by using Schizochytrium, thereby increasing their nutritional value and promoting the growth and survival rate of fish and shrimp.
Research on the feeding of fortified Artemia with Schizochytrium to half-smooth tongue sole larvae has shown significant improvements in body length, body weight, alkaline phosphatase, and trypsin activity, as well as T3 and T4 levels compared to the control group. Similarly, a study on the nutritional fortification of rotifers (Brachionus plicatilis) with Schizochytrium demonstrated that an addition level of 80 mg/L resulted in a DHA/FA ratio of 13.44% in the rotifers after 12 hours, and the DHA content in dried rotifer powder was 8.14 mg/g, representing a 132% increase in rotifer density compared to the control group. This fortification significantly promoted the growth and development of rotifers and significantly increased the DHA content in their bodies.
The Development of Schizochytrium products Faces Several Challenges
Currently, the main products derived from Schizochytrium include microalgae DHA powder, microalgae DHA oil, and microalgae powder, with the application of microalgae powder being predominant in aquaculture. However, in the market for Schizochytrium fermentation and DHA production, a few companies dominate the main technologies and market, making it difficult for achievements to be effectively commercialized. Challenges include biomass production, algae oil yield, quality, and DHA purity. Although there has been some progress in Schizochytrium fermentation and DHA production, in the field of industrial biotechnology, it is widely believed that every two years represents a threshold for technological advancements. Without adequate technical support, new upgraded products can quickly surpass existing ones.
With the rapid development of aquaculture and the improvement of farming techniques, there is increasing in-depth research and extensive application of novel nutritional fortifiers, leading to a significant increase in demand. As one of the most effective essential fatty acids required by most commercially farmed aquatic animals, DHA has become an ideal nutritional fortifier and an important indicator of nutritional value in some feeds. Due to the intensifying ecological degradation and pollution, coupled with the depletion of traditional marine resources, the conventional sources of DHA are no longer able to meet market demand. Therefore, seeking alternative resources has become imperative.
HSF Biotech Schizochytrium Algae Powder - Animal Feed Grade
HSF Biotech is a leading company that specializes in the production of Schizochytrium Algae Powder - Animal Feed Grade for the aquaculture industry. This high-quality product is specifically designed to meet the nutritional needs of aquatic animals, promoting their growth and overall health.
Schizochytrium Algae Powder is derived from the microalgae Schizochytrium, which is known for its rich content of essential nutrients, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is a crucial omega-3 fatty acid that plays a vital role in the development and functioning of aquatic organisms.
HSF Biotech employs advanced fermentation technology to cultivate Schizochytrium algae under controlled conditions, ensuring optimal growth and nutrient accumulation. The algae are carefully harvested and processed to preserve their nutritional integrity. The resulting powder is highly concentrated in DHA, making it an excellent source of this essential nutrient for aquaculture feeds.
By incorporating HSF's Schizochytrium Algae Powder - Animal Feed Grade into aquafeeds, farmers and aquaculture producers can provide their aquatic animals with a nutritionally balanced diet, leading to improved growth rates, enhanced disease resistance, and overall better performance.
HSF Biotech is committed to innovation, sustainability, and the advancement of the aquaculture industry through its high-quality Schizochytrium Algae Powder. With their reliable product, aquaculture professionals can optimize the nutrition of their aquatic animals and contribute to the sustainable development of the industry.
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