Effect of Nitrogen Sources on Diatoms Growth and Nutritional Value for Enhancing Litopenaeus vannamei Larval Performance

This study investigated the impact of different nitrogen sources on the growth and biochemical composition of two diatom species, <i>Chaetoceros calcitrans</i> and <i>Thalassiosira weissflogii</i>, and evaluated their use as live feed for <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i> larvae. Diatoms were cultured in a Conway medium supplemented with four nitrogen sources: potassium nitrate (control), urea, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium nitrate. In a separate experiment, white-leg shrimp larvae (300 larvae/L) at stage Nauplius 6 were fed diets consisting of <i>C. calcitrans</i>, <i>T. weissflogii</i>, or a combination of both diatoms under controlled conditions. The results indicated that urea, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate significantly enhanced the growth and nutrient composition of <i>C. calcitrans</i> and <i>T. weissflogii</i> compared to the control (potassium nitrate). In <i>C. calcitrans</i>, ammonium nitrate significantly increased protein and lipid contents, while carbohydrate levels were the highest in the control. Similarly, urea and ammonium sulfate treatments yielded the highest lipid levels, whereas the control exhibited the lowest. For <i>T. weissflogii</i>, the control achieved the highest cell count on day 4, but ammonium nitrate significantly improved protein and lipid contents while reducing carbohydrate levels. A mixed diet of <i>C. calcitrans</i> and <i>T. weissflogii</i> significantly enhanced growth performance and reduced mortality rates in <i>L. vannamei</i> larvae compared to single-species diets. In conclusion, the findings indicated that ammonium nitrate was an efficient nitrogen source for enhancing diatom growth. Additionally, combining <i>C. calcitrans</i> and <i>T. weissflogii</i> as a diet improved growth and survival of <i>L. vannamei</i> larvae, offering practical implications for aquaculture.