Numerical taxonomic study on principal nutritional compositions of Artemia cysts of different geographic strains from China

The nutritional compositions of 25 Artemia cysts of different geographic strains from China were analysed by means of principal component s analysis and cluster analysis. The total amount of lipids, amino acids, protein and vitamins were analysed. The experimental results showed: ( 1) Artemia cysts of 25 strains can be divided 2 groups: A. freshwater-type cysts and B. marine-type cysts by the methods of principal component analysis and cluster analysis of 43 nutrit ional factors. ( 2) C20: 5n- 3, C18: 3n- 3, proteins, C16: 1 were primary nutrit ional components among Artemia cysts of different geographic strains. ( 3) Reproductive type can not af fect the nutritional composit ion, but there were difference among Artemia cysts of different geographic strains. ( 4) The freshwater type Artemia cysts only suitable for feeding to freshwater-animals and marine-type Artemia cysts containing C20: 5n- 3 suitable for feeding to marine animals.