GABA enhances reproduction of the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Muller: application to mass culture

Abstract

Based on the results of individual and batch culture experiments in small volumes, we conducted experiments in larger volumes of 100 mL, 1 L and 10 L to determine: (1) at what phase of population growth would gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) treatment be most effective; and (2) whether GABA treatment of concentrated rotifers for several hours before mass culture would also be effective. GABA treatment of rotifer cultures at lag phase significantly enhanced population growth, whereas treatment at log phase had a lesser effect, and treatment at stationary phase had no effect. Addition of GABA to rotifer cultures every 2 days hastened population growth until day 8, but resulted in culture collapse thereafter. To reduce the cost of the use of GABA in mass cultures, GABA treatment may be conducted on concentrated rotifers (100 individuals mL⁻¹) before mass culture. GABA treatment of concentrated rotifers for 24 h and 48 h before mass culture resulted in a significantly higher population density compared with their respective controls (no GABA treatment) on day 4, and on days 4 and 6 respectively.