In order to sustainable aquaculture
production, fishmeal and fishoil must be
reduced and/or replaced by several
terrestrial and marine sources. Among
alternative protein sources, mealworm
(Tenebrio molitor) is one of the most
promising animal with including high
protein contents. In this study, we
investigated the effect of different
microalgae powder products
(Algamac3050® (dried Schizocthytrium
sp.), Algome® (dried Schizocthytrium sp.),
Naturiga® (dried Spirulina platensis),
ProteinPlus®, AlgomeGrow® (dried
Chlorella sp.)) on culture performance,
fatty acids and amino acids compositions of
mealworm. Mealworms were fed during 21
days under laboratory conditions. The
culture box were filled one cm of feed depth
and kept constant dark (0 h L, 24 h D)
conditions. Total lenght and wet weight
were measured every 7 days of culture.
Mealworm group fed control diet showed
similar total lenght with mealworm fed
Algome® diet and significantly higher than
other groups at the end of the experiment
(p<0.05) (Fig.1). Wet weight of mealworms
were enhanced by all diets except
ProteinPlus® diet at 7 days of culture,
however, this trend was changed at the end
of the experiment (Fig.2). On the other
hand, Ʃ n-3 HUFAs (ARA, EPA and DHA)
levels were increased by Algamac3050®
(1.39%), Algome® (1.36%) and
ProteinPlus® (1.02%) diets. Whereas, total
essential amino acid compositions were
enhanced by AlgomeGrow® diet (244.7 mg.
g-1). In conclusion, AlgomeGrow® diet can
be good option for mealworm culture
resulting both amino and fatty acid
accumulation.