Signification biologique des teneurs protéiques et des activités de l'amylase et des protéases chez Artemia salina L. aspects d'application a l'étude de la nutrition

The relations between the activity of the digestive enzymes amylase and proteases were studied on Artemia salina L. For this purpose, a method for measuring the ingestion was developed compatible with the speed of response of the digestive enzymes. It is demonstrated that the proteic density variations in Artemia of the same size are in relation to the food content of their digestive tract. Therefore the measurement of the size and weight of proteins (proteic density) allows the evaluation of the ingestion. With the aid of this method, a daily ingestion rhythm, with bimodal character, could be demonstrated. The influence on the ingestion, of the concentration of food available (Tetraselmis suecica Butcher) was studied in function of the size of the Artemia. During the ingestion cycle, the animals utilize food of different origins, with an intense nutritive activity for small specimens. In the range of concentrations studied, the quantity of food ingested is proportional to the quantity of food available. [NOT CONTROLLED OCR]