Abstract:

In order to evaluate nutritional values of a marine fungus, Schizochytrium limanium, its basic nutritional components, amino acid and fatty acid compositions were analyzed. Results indicated that the contents of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and ash in Schizochytrium limanium were 9.35%, 42.83%, 5.27% and 4.85% using soybean hydrolysates as nitrogen resource and 42.51%, 18.98%, 6.38% and 5.72% using yeast as nitrogen resource, respectively. Using rotifer protein as the reference, essential amino acid index (EAAI) in Schizochytrium limanium were more than 0.90; using oyster protein as the reference, EAAI in Schizochytrium limanium were 0.78－0.79, which suggested that Schizochytrium limanium was the best quality protein material for rotifer and oyster. However, Schizochytrium limanium had limited amino acids such as Arg and Ile for rotifer. Totally 14.29% DHA was determined in Schizochytrium limanium, which also suggested it was a good DHA source. Moreover, nitrogen sources exhibited a direct effect on contents of nutritional components, amino acid and fatty acid compositions.

Key words: Schizochytrium limanium, amino acid composition, fatty acid composition, nutritional value