Essentiality of Dietary Phosphatidylcholine for the Survival of Juvenile Lobsters

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Abstract
The inclusion of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in a purified diet is essential for the survival of juvenile lobsters. Attempts to substitute this substance with its alkaline hydrolysis products, fatty acids, an emulsifier or other phospholipids (cephalin, phosphatidylinositol) were not successful. The effectiveness of the PC ingredient in reducing mortality related to a molt death syndrome is dependent upon the source of the compound. Those PC molecules comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids were most effective. The lobster's nutritional requirement for PC is probably the result of a low rate of biosynthesis and the physiological role of PC is most probably associated with hemolymph lipoproteins and the transport of lipids, possibly cholesterol.