We plan to develop a low-cost food chain that supports crustaceans and marine fish. This food chain will consist of rice bran, microorganisms, and brine shrimp. Rice bran, an abundant waste product, is very inexpensive but nutritionally inadequate. However, its microbial fermentation converts it to a complete diet for brine shrimp which, in turn, are ideal feed for carnivorous organisms including Paenid shrimp, lobsters, and fish fry. Evidently, the microorga nisms in the fermented products are the source of the deficient nutrients (i.e., vitamins and essential amino acids). By using this diet, we will develop a high-density brine shrimp culture and use it to raise crustaceans and marine fish, first in the aboratory and then in open salt water. We envision that, when properly developed, this inexpensive simple approach can be introduced in the countries which suffer from chronic food shortages to produce large quantities of seafood.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
