Effects of Incubation Conditions on Biochemical Profiles and Protease Activities of Three Artemia Groups

In the current study, the biochemical compositions and protease activities (alkaline, neutral and acid) of three Artemia groups (Sep-Art 430 µm, Sep-Art 480 µm and Sep-Art-500 µm) under different incubation conditions (starvation, enriched and stored at 4°C) were investigated. Experimental groups were AN (Artemia naupli), AE (Artemia Enrichment), ANS (Artemia naupli-Starvation), ANS-12h, ANS-24h, ANS-12h–4°C, ANS-24h–4°C, AES (Artemia Enrichment-Starvation), AES-12h, AES-24h, AES-12h–4°C and AES-24h–4°C. The treatments groups were sampled twice, 12-h interval sampling, during a 24-h period. The data obtained for biochemical compositions such as ash, protein and lipid amounts were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The data obtained for the alkaline, neutral and acid protease activities of 430, 480 and 500 µm groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The data showed that cysteine proteases were present in 430, 480 and 500 µm groups at different developmental stages and under different incubation conditions. In conclusion, 430 µm group had the best biochemical composition and protease activities important for critical larval feeding, followed by 480 and 500 µm groups, respectively. The current study has shown that incubation conditions of different Artemia groups such as 430, 480 and 500 µm sizes should be taken into consideration in meeting the requirements of the larvae before feeding.