Unicellular aquatic plants (phytoplankton), the starting point of the aquatic food chain. Include toxic microalgae which are important causes of marine fish mortalities, especially Alexandrium, Chaltonella, Heterosigma spp., and pathogenic microalgae, e.g. Chaetoceros spp., phytoplankton with long, sharp spines which penetrate the gills of fish.
Microphyte
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Microphytes or microalgae are microscopic algae, typically found in freshwater and marine systems. [1]. There are 20,000 species.
They are unicellular species which exist individually, or in chains or groups. Depending on the species, their sizes can range from a few micrometers (µm) to a few hundreds of micrometers. Unlike higher plants, microalgae do not have roots, stems and leaves. Microalgae, capable of performing photosynthesis, are important for life on earth; they produce approximately half of the atmospheric oxygen and use simultaneously the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide to grow photoautotrophically. The biodiversity of microalgae is enormous and they represent an almost untapped resource. It has been estimated that about 200,000-800,000 species exist of which about 35,000 species are described. Over 15,000 novel compounds originating from algal biomass have been chemically determined (Cardozo et al. 2007). Most of these microalgae species produce unique products like carotenoids, antioxidants, fatty acids, enzymes, polymers, peptides, toxins and sterols. The chemical composition of microalgae is not an intrinsic constant factor but varies over a wide range, both depending on species and on cultivation conditions. It is possible to accumulate the desired products in microalgae to a large extend by changing environmental factors .[2] like temperature, illumination, pH, CO2 supply, salt and nutrients. Microalgae such as microphytes constitute the basic foodstuff for numerous aquaculture species, especially filtering bivalves. They provide them with vitamins and polyunsaturated fatty acids, necessary for the growth of the bivalves which are unable to synthesize it themselves.[3].
In addition, because the cells grow in aqueous suspension, they have more efficient access to water, CO2, and other nutrients.
While fish oil has become famous for its omega-3 fatty acid content, fish don't actually produce omega-3s, instead accumulating their omega-3 reserves by consuming microalgae.
Spirulina is a microphyte that has become popular as a health supplement.
See also
References
- ^ Thurman, H. V. (1997). Introductory Oceanography. New Jersey, USA: Prentice Hall College. ISBN 0132620723.
- ^ "growing algae". WUR. http://www.algae.wur.nl/UK/factsonalgae/growing_algae/. Retrieved 2009-05-19.
- ^ "ENERGY FROM ALGAE (includes scientific names)". ifremer. http://www.ifremer.fr/aquaculture/en/algae/microalgae.htm. Retrieved 2006-09-13.
External links
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 | Veterinary Dictionary. Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary 3rd Edition. Copyright © 2007 by D.C. Blood, V.P. Studdert and C.C. Gay, Elsevier. All rights reserved. Read more |
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