Caulerpa lentillifera and Sucrose Formulated Diets as Growth Enhancer of Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Abstract

A total of 200 of Crassostrea virginica populations of average weight range from 41.19 ± 3.42 to 47.53 ± 1.06 g were studied to determine the effect of the feed diets of Caulerpa lentillifera and sucrose as growth enhancement. Growth rates increased that range from 56.99 ± 3.16 to 61.56 ± 2.87 g for 90 days period using an artificial water tank system. Previous studies conducted that C. lentillifera contained high protein and were the most abundant component. This seaweed also contained high amounts of minerals and balanced amino acid and notably very rich in iodine. phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and copper that will contribute to oysters growth. Oysters are known to have the ability to uptake dissolved organic matter as nutrients. In the present study, the effects of culture water supplemented with sucrose were tested on oysters. Results revealed that this organic matter promotes growth to the oysters. Sugars will be metabolized into pyruvate through the glycolysis pathway and will result in the supply of energy.  Therefore, supplementation of sugar to oysters may have contributed as an energy source together with the lipid and protein content from the algae diet.