Amino Acid Composition of Green Microalgae and Diatoms, Cyanobacteria, and Zooplankton (Review)

Abstract

We have reviewed foreign and domestic literature devoted to the study of the amino acid (AA) composition of aquatic organisms representing major groups of producers (green microalgae and diatoms, and cyanobacteria) and primary consumers (zooplankton). Based on published data, we estimate the composition of essential and nonessential AAs of microalgae, cyanobacteria, and zooplankton and determine their differences. It is concluded that the AA composition of major groups of plankton is heterogeneous. The role of AAs as a limiting factor for the development of herbivorous zooplankton is discussed. The prospects and the need for further study of AA composition in order to develop a complete theory of functioning of aquatic ecosystems have been demonstrated.