The word "zooplankton" comes from the Greek "zoon", which means "animal", and "planktos", which means "wandering". Like all plankton, zooplankton is constantly moving in the oceans, seas and inland freshwater courses.
The organisms that structure zooplankton are generally microscopic and only some - such as jellyfish - are larger and visible to the naked eye.
Some elements of zooplankton are fished by man and used for various purposes. For example, krill (very small crustaceans) is used in aquaculture as a fodder for the breeding of some fish. In addition, an edible oil can be extracted from krill, generally used as a supplement, very rich in omega 3 (EPA and DHA) and fat-soluble vitamins.
The presence of zooplankton in the seas and waterways is fundamental. It is at the base of the food chain as the prey of many creatures and, having a detritivorous attitude, it participates in a polyvalent way in supporting the balance of the ecosystem. However, the growing level of pollution and professional fishing (of krill) are, in some areas of the planet, compromising the density of zooplankton with consequences that are nothing short of worrying.
with high biological value, omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin A; these characteristics would make it a worthy exponent of the 1st fundamental group of foods. However, since it is not used for specific gastronomic applications, zooplankton cannot be considered a real food. From zooplankton, on the other hand, valuable oily derivatives are obtained, rich in docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin A; they are mainly used as supplements. Furthermore, zooplankton krill is also a widely used feed for domestic animals and farmed fish.
In 2011, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a letter of non-objection to the recognition of krill oil as a safe product for human consumption (GRAS).
