Samples of fertilized dentex, Dentex dentex, eggs and larvae fed enriched rotifers and Artemia
according to standard hatchery procedures were analysed for free, total amino acid and fatty
acid contents. Egg free amino acids (53 nmol ind–1) and total lipids (13.5 (mg ind–1) levels were
considerably reduced in the newly hatched larvae (6.0 nmol and 5.7 (mg ind–1 respectively)
while the amount of w-3 PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acid) and 20:4w-6 remained unchanged
suggesting their possible role as essential fatty acids (EFA) in this species. In general, the
changes in pattern of the major biochemical components during early development of dentex
was similar to that outlined for other Sparidae species investigated to date. The essential
amino acid profile of enriched live food did not show major imbalances when compared to
that of dentex larvae. In contrast, the level of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6w3, DHA) and the
DHA:EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5w-3) ratio in larvae given rotifers and Artemia were
significantly lower relative to the corresponding values in the unfed larvae.
