<p><em>Brachionus</em><em> plicatilis</em> is a widely used as natural feed in hatchery. Characteristics of rotifers as biocapsule can improve the quality of rotifers in a practical way. <em>Bacillus</em><em> </em>sp. is capable of improving the nutrition rotifers to produce vitamins, food detoxication or through enzymatic activity such as protease, lipase, and amylase. This research aimed at observing the influence of the enrichment length of <em>Bacillus </em>sp. on the quality of nutrition and growth of rotifers. The research container was a <em>polyearbonate</em> vessel of one ton volume which contained <em>Nannochloropsis</em> sp. with the density of 10<sup>5</sup> cell/mL, it was then scattered with rotifer with the density of 1,000 ind./mL. The types of bacteria used were <em>Bacillus subtilis</em>, <em>B. pumilus</em> and <em>B. licheformis</em> with the density of 2x10<sup>10</sup> cfu/g. The experiments tried with different enrichment length were A = 0 hour, B = 5 hours, C = 10 hours and D = 10 hours with triplicate. As the comparing data, rotifer culture experiment was carried out with <em>Nannochlorophsis </em>sp.as the control. The number of containers were 24 which consists of 12 for threatment and 12 pieces as control. Variables measured were proximate to each treatment and the growth of rotifers. The result of the research revealed the enrichment length of rotifers with <em>Bacillus</em> sp. has significantly (P<0,05) towards increased protein, crude fiber, ash, BETN, and growth. Optimum enrichment time was obtained at 5 hours.</p> <p>Key words: rotifers, <em>Bacillus</em>, enrichment period, proximate</p> <p> </p> <p>ABSTRAK</p> <p><em>Brachionus plicatilis</em> merupakan pakan alami yang banyak digunakan dalam pembenihan. Karakteristik rotifer sebagai biokapsul secara praktis dapat meningkatkan kualitas rotifer. <em>Bacillus </em>sp<em>.</em> mampu memperbaiki nutrisi rotifer dengan memproduksi vitamin, detoksikasi pangan maupun melalui aktivitas enzimatis seperti <em>protease</em>, <em>lipase</em>, dan <em>amilase</em>. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat pengaruh pengkayaan <em>Bacillus </em>sp<em>.</em> terhadap kualitas nutrisi dan pertumbuhan rotifer. Wadah penelitian menggunakan bak fiber volume 1 ton yang berisikan <em>Nannochloropsis</em> sp<em>.</em> dengan kepadatan 10<sup>5</sup> cell/mL, kemudian ditebari rotifer dengan kepadatan 1.000 ind./mL. Jenis bakteri yang digunakan berupa <em>Bacillus</em> <em>subtilis</em>, <em>B. Pumilus </em>dan<em> B. Licheformis </em>dengan kepadatan 2x10<sup>10</sup> cfu/g. Perlakuan yang diujikan adalah lama pengkayaan probiotik <em>Bacillus </em>sp<em>.</em> yang berbeda, yaitu perlakuan A (0 jam), perlakuan B (5 Jam), perlakuan C (10 jam) dan perlakuan D (15 jam). Sebagai data pembanding dilakukan percobaan kultur rotifer dengan <em>Nannochloropsis</em> sp<em>.</em> sebagai kontrol. Jumlah wadah penelitian yang dipergunakan sebanyak 24 buah yang terdiri atas 12 buah untuk perlakuan dan 12 buah sebagai kontrol. Peubah yang diukur adalah proksimat pada masing-masing perlakuan dan pertumbuhan rotifer. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan lama pengkayaan rotifer dengan <em>Bacillus</em> sp<em>.</em> meningkatkan (P<0,05) terhadap kadar protein, serat kasar, abu, BETN, dan pertumbuhan rotifer. Lama pengkayaan optimum diperoleh pada 5 jam.</p> <p>Kata kunci: rotifer, <em>Bacillus</em>, lama pengkayaan, proksimat</p>
Applying a New Feeding Protocol for Enhancing Mass Culture and Nutritional Value of the Rotifer Brachionus plicatilis Müller, 1786
