Changes in lipid classes, fatty acids, protein and amino acids during egg development and yolk-sac larvae stage in brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.)

Abstract

Brill (Scophthalmus rhombus L.) is a flatfish considered of special interest for aquaculture diversification, but the high mortality observed during the early larval rearing is the main obstacle to commercial culture. The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of nutrient utilization of early-hatched larvae, characterizing the changes in lipid and protein contents during embryogenesis and the yolk-sac larval stage of S. rhombus. Total lipid, lipid classes and fatty acid contents remained constant during embryogenesis and yolk-sac larval development, except for phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol, which increased in quantity during the yolk-sac larval stage. On the other hand, total protein (including non-protein nitrogen) and amino acids decreased their contents in both periods, especially at hatching. The decrease only in the serine, glutamic acid, proline and lysine contents during embryogenesis suggests a selective use of amino acids during this phase. Unlike embryogenesis, amino acids loss during hatching appears to be non-selective, and almost all amino acids (essential and non-essential) decreased. Our results suggest that there is higher catabolism of protein vs. lipid during embryogenesis and the yolk-sac larval stage of S. rhombus.