The Value of Antarctic Krill

Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) are small crustaceans that are found throughout the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean. Although they are small (with a body length of about 6 cm / 2.36 inches), the species has a high density in low-salinity cold water. During the day, schools of Antarctic krill are found mainly at depths of 50 to 100 meters, while at night they float to the surface and are often seen as brown 'patches'. Antarctic krill feed on tiny phytoplankton, thus using the primary production energy that phytoplankton initially derived from the sun to maintain their pelagic life cycle.

Figure 1. Antarctic krill swarm in the ocean.

Antarctic krill shape the structure of the Antarctic marine ecosystem because they are at the center of the Southern Ocean food web and are the prey of various higher trophic predators such as whales, seals, fishes and birds. In addition, Antarctic krill also play an important role in biogeochemical cycles. So far, Antarctic krill species have successfully attracted attention as a potential marine resource.

Nutritional value of Antarctic krill

Antarctic krill are one of the most abundant and successful breeding biological resources on Earth because of their nutritional value. The nutritional value of Antarctic krill benefits from lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals and other bioactive ingredients.

The lipid content of Antarctic krill is about 2.11 %, mainly unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Antarctic krill is rich in protein, including eight essential amino acids required by the human body.
Antarctic krill have much higher levels of vitamin A and vitamin E than other fish and shrimp.
Antarctic krill is rich in minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, copper and other elements.
Antarctic krill also contains chitin, astaxanthin, krill oil and other bioactive ingredients. In addition, the levels of heavy metals, arsenic and cadmium in Antarctic krill are significantly lower than the national standards.

Nutritional value of Antarctic krill

The importance of Antarctic krill in biogeochemical cycles

Antarctic krill play an important role in biogeochemical cycles. They can regulate the amount of carbon stored in the ocean through the biological pump (i.e. the process that draws down atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) through the fixation of inorganic carbon by photosynthesis and the consequent export and sequestration of C to the deep ocean). In addition, the faecal pellets of Antarctic krill sink at a rate of several hundred metres per day, providing pulses of C that can dominate the export of particulate organic carbon (POC) and the efficient transfer of C through the mesopelagic ^[1]. In conclusion, Antarctic krill can efficiently transport and transform essential nutrients, stimulate primary productivity and affect carbon sinks by virtue of its high biomass, large and rapidly sinking faecal pellets and daily vertical migration ^[2].

Figure 2. Role of Antarctic krill in biogeochemical cycles ^[2].

Alfa Chemistry is passionate about marine biological resources. We have processed and manufactured a range of wholesome Antarctic krill products. If you are also interested, please feel free to contact us. Let's create new possibilities together!

References

Manno, C.; et al. Continuous moulting by Antarctic krill drives major pulses of carbon export in the north Scotia Sea, Southern Ocean. Nature communications. 2020, 11(1): 1-8.
Cavan, E. L.; et al. The importance of Antarctic krill in biogeochemical cycles. Nature communications. 2019, 10(1): 1-13.

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.