Effects of dietary lipid level and vegetable oil on fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) over the whole production cycle

Changes in fatty acid metabolism in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) induced by vegetable oil (VO) replacement of fish oil (FO) and high dietary oil in aquaculture diets can have negative impacts on the nutritional quality of the product for the human consumer, including altered flesh fatty acid composition and lipid content. A dietary trial was designed to investigate the twin problems of FO replacement and high energy diets in salmon throughout the entire production cycle. Salmon were grown from first feeding to around 2 kg on diets in which FO was completely replaced by a 1:1 blend of linseed and rapeseed oils at low (14–17%) and high (25–35%) dietary oil levels. This paper reports specifically on the influence of diet on various aspects of fatty acid metabolism. Fatty acid compositions of liver, intestinal tissue and gill were altered by the diets with increased proportions of C₁₈ polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreased proportions of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in fish fed VO compared to fish fed FO. HUFA synthesis in hepatocytes and enterocytes was significantly higher in fish fed VO, whereas β-oxidation was unaltered by either dietary oil content or type. Over the entire production cycle, HUFA synthesis in hepatocytes showed a decreasing trend with age interrupted by a large peak in activity at seawater transfer. Gill cell prostaglandin (PG) production showed a possible seasonal trend, with peak activities in winter and low activities in summer and at seawater transfer. PG production in seawater was lower in fish fed the high oil diets with the lowest PG production generally observed in fish fed high VO. The changes in fatty acid metabolism induced by high dietary oil and VO replacement contribute to altered flesh lipid content and fatty acid compositions, and so merit continued investigation to minimize any negative impacts that sustainable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective aquaculture diets could have in the future. Abbreviations: FO - fish oil; HUFA - highly unsaturated fatty acids acids (carbon chain length ≥C ₂₀ with ≥3 double bonds); LO - linseed oil; RO - rapeseed oil; VO - vegetable oil. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Feeding high inclusion of whole grain white lupin (Lupinus albus) to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): effects on growth,nutrient digestibility,liver and intestine histology and muscle fatty acid composition

The effect of dietary inclusion of whole grain white lupin (Lupinus albus) on growth performance, histology, muscle fatty acid composition and nutrient digestibility was investigated in an 11‐week growth and a 4‐week digestibility trial with rainbow trout (initial body weight of 54.0 ± 6.2 and 181.9 ± 3.4 g respectively). Four experimental extruded diets were formulated to contain 0%, 30%, 40% and 50% of whole grain lupin and fed to triplicate groups of fish twice a day until apparent satiation. Faeces were collected daily from each digestibility tank by decantation. No significant trends were observed with respect to growth, feed utilization, apparent digestibility coefficients or whole‐body composition (P>0.05). Conversely, increasing levels of dietary lupin led to significant decreases in the Hepatosomatic index (R²=0.75, P<0.05) and slight lipid infiltration into hepatocytes and enterocytes. Muscle fatty acid compositions were slightly affected by the dietary treatment. Polynomial regression of dietary inclusion of lupin and muscle fatty acid concentrations showed an increase in C18:1n‐9, C18:2n‐6 and C18:3n‐3 and a decrease in C20:5n‐3 with increasing dietary lupin level. These results demonstrated that whole grain lupin can be included up to 50% in commercial rainbow trout diets without negative effects.     

Effect of dietary echium oil on growth, fatty acid composition and metabolism, gill prostaglandin production and macrophage activity in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.)

Echium oil (EO) is a vegetable oil in which percentages of stearidonic acid (STA, 18:4n‐3) often exceed those of its n‐6 series equivalent γ‐linolenic acid (GLA, 18:3n‐6). Stearidonic acid is elongated to 20:4n‐3 in fish cell cultures, suggesting that EO could be included in diets for marine fish to increase tissue 20:4n‐3 and 20:3n‐6 and, thereby, modulate eicosanoid metabolism. Thus, the present study aimed to test the hypotheses that dietary EO would increase tissue 20:4n‐3 and 20:3n‐6 and modulate immune function and eicosanoid production in juvenile Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) fed a diet where fish oil (FO) was replaced by EO. Duplicate groups of juvenile cod (initial weight ca. 4 g) were fed for 18 weeks on fish meal‐based diets (55% protein and 16% lipid) that differed in oil source (FO or EO). There were no significant differences in growth and feed efficiency, hepato‐somatic index, percentages of liver and flesh lipids and lipid class compositions for cod fed FO and EO. Percentages of 18:4n‐3, 18:3n‐6 and 20:3n‐6 in the total lipids of flesh and liver were higher, and percentages of 20:5n‐3 and 20:4n‐6 were both lower in fish fed EO than in those given FO. In flesh, the increased 18:3n‐6 and 18:4n‐3 were primarily located in phosphatidylcholine and, to a lesser extent, phosphatidylethanolamine, whereas 20:3n‐6 concentration was highest in phosphatidylinositol. Desaturation of 18:3n‐3 (to tetraene products) and 20:5n‐3 to 22:6n‐3 in hepatocytes was very low but was increased by dietary EO. Echium oil significantly decreased the production of prostaglandin F from gill cells stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187, and reduced head kidney macrophage activity, but had no effect on serum lysozyme activity or basic haematology. In conclusion, dietary EO may have beneficial effects on some immune parameters including eicosanoid metabolism in marine fish although this may be primarily because of decreased 20:4n‐6 rather than increasing tissue levels of 20:3n‐6 or 20:4n‐3.     

Nutritional and environmental regulation of the synthesis of highly unsaturated fatty acids and of fatty-acid oxidation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) enterocytes and hepatocytes

The objective of this work was to determine whether highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) synthesis and fatty-acid oxidation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) intestine was under environmental and/or seasonal regulation. Triplicate groups of salmon were grown through a full two-year cycle on two diets containing either fish oil (FO) or a diet with 75% of the FO replaced by a vegetable oil (VO) blend containing rapeseed, palm, and linseed oils. At key points in the life cycle fatty acyl desaturation/elongation (HUFA synthesis) and oxidation activity were determined in enterocytes and hepatocytes using [1−¹⁴C]18:3n−3 as substrate. As observed previously, HUFA synthesis in hepatocytes reached a peak at seawater transfer and declined thereafter, with activity consistently greater in fish fed the VO diet. In fish fed FO, HUFA synthesis in enterocytes in the freshwater stage was at a level similar to that in hepatocytes. HUFA synthesis in enterocytes increased rapidly after seawater transfer, however, and remained high for some months after transfer before decreasing to levels that were again similar to those observed in hepatocytes. Enterocyte synthesis of HUFA was usually higher in fish fed the VO diet than in those fed the FO diet. Oxidation of [1−¹⁴C]18:3n−3 in hepatocytes from fish fed FO tended to decrease during the freshwater phase but then increased steeply, peaking just after transfer before decreasing during the remaining seawater phase. At the peak in oxidation activity around seawater transfer, activity was significantly lower in fish fed VO than in fish fed FO. In enterocytes, oxidation of [1−¹⁴C]18:3 in fish fed FO reached a peak in activity just before seawater transfer. In fish fed VO, except for high activity at nine months the pattern was similar to that obtained in enterocytes from fish fed FO, with high activity around seawater transfer and declining activity in seawater. In conclusion, fatty acid metabolism in intestinal cells seemed to be under dual nutritional and environmental or seasonal regulation. Temporal patterns of oxidation of fatty acids were usually similar in the two cell types, but HUFA synthesis in enterocytes peaked over the summer seawater phase rather than at transfer, as with hepatocytes, suggesting the possibility of different regulatory cues.     

Partial substitution of fish oil with rapeseed, linseed and olive oils in diets for European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.): effects on flesh fatty acid composition, plasma prostaglandins E2 and F2α, immune function and effectiveness of a fish oil finishing diet

Triplicate groups of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.), of initial weight 90 g, were fed four practical‐type diets in which the added oil was 1000 g kg^?1 fish oil (FO) (control diet), 600 g kg^?1 rapeseed oil (RO) and 400 g kg^?1 FO, 600 g kg^?1 linseed oil (LO) and 400 g kg^?1 FO, and 600 g kg^?1 olive oil (OO) and 400 g kg^?1 FO for 34 weeks. After sampling, the remaining fish were switched to the 1000 g kg^?1 FO diet for a further 14 weeks. Fatty acid composition of flesh total lipid was influenced by dietary fatty acid input but specific fatty acids were selectively retained or utilized. There was selective deposition and retention of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n‐3). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n‐3) and DHA were significantly reduced and linolenic (LNA; 18:3n‐3), linoleic (LA; 18:2n‐6) and oleic (OA; 18:1n‐9) acids significantly increased in flesh lipids following the inclusion of 600 g kg^?1 RO, LO and OO in the diets. No significant differences were found among different treatments on plasma concentrations of prostaglandin E₂ and prostaglandin F_2α. Evaluation of non‐specific immune function, showed that the number of circulating leucocytes was significantly affected (P < 0.001), as was macrophage respiratory burst activity (P < 0.006) in fish fed vegetable oil diets. Accumulation of large amounts of lipid droplets were observed within the hepatocytes in relation to decreased levels of dietary n‐3 HUFA, although no signs of cellular necrosis was evident. After feeding a FO finishing diet for 14 weeks, DHA and total n‐3 HUFA levels were restored to values in control fish although EPA remained 18% higher in control than in the other treatments. This study suggests that vegetable oils such as RO, LO and OO can potentially be used as partial substitutes for dietary FO in European sea bass culture, during the grow out phase, without compromising growth rates but may alter some immune parameters.     

Effect of dietary n‐3 HUFA on growth performance and tissue fatty acid composition of gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted with gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (initial weight: 2.69 g) to evaluate the effects of dietary n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 HUFA) on growth performance and tissue fatty acid composition. Five diets of different n‐3 HUFA levels from 0 to 17 g kg^?1 diet were supplemented at 80 g kg^?1 dietary lipid by including fish oil (FO) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of supplemental lipid. The remainder was coconut oil. The results showed that fish fed FO₂₅ and FO₅₀ obtained highest specific growth rate and lowest with FO₀. Feed efficiency was highest at FO₁₀₀ and lowest at FO₀. Apparent digestibility coefficient of lipid increased with increasing dietary n‐3 HUFA. The fish fed FO₀ diet had the lowest thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in serum and muscle and highest moisture and lowest lipid content in viscera. Fatty acid compositions of muscle and liver were correlated with dietary fatty acids. Fish muscle concentration of 20:5n‐3 increased with increasing dietary n‐3 HUFA while the concentration of 22:6n‐3 was distinctly reduced in FO₀ group. It suggested that 4 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA in diet could permit gibel carp normal growth performance and provide considerable n‐3 HUFA in fish muscle. Excessive n‐3 HUFA showed impact on growth performance of gibel carp.     

Effects of diets containing linseed oil on fatty acid desaturation and oxidation in hepatocytes and intestinal enterocytes in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

We hypothesized that replacing fish oil with 18:3n-3-rich linseed oil may enable salmon to maintain the levels of tissue n-3HUFA levels through a combination of increased desaturation activity and increased substrate fatty acid provision. To this end we investigated desaturation/elongation of [1-¹⁴C18:3n-3 in hepatocytes and intestinal enterocytes, and determined the extent to which 18:3n-3 was oxidized and desaturated by measuring both simultaneously in a combined assay. Salmon smolts were stocked randomly into five seawater pens and fed for 40 weeks on diets in which the fish oil was replaced in a graded manner by linseed oil. At the end of the trial, fatty acyl desaturation/elongation and oxidation activities were determined in isolated hepatocytes and intestinal enterocytes using [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 as substrate, and samples of liver and intestinal tissue were collected for analysis of lipid and fatty acid composition. The results showed that, despite increased desaturation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 in hepatocytes, provision of dietary 18:3n-3 did not prevent the decrease in tissue n-3HUFA in fish fed linseed oil. Intestinal enterocytes were a site of significant fatty acid desaturation but, in contrast to hepatocytes, the activity was not increased by feeding linseed oil and was generally lower in fish fed linseed oil compared to fish fed only fish oil. In contrast, oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 in enterocytes was generally increased in fish fed linseed oil compared to fish fed the diet containing only fish oil. However, oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 in hepatocytes was 4- to 8-fold lower than in enterocytes and was not affected by diet. Furthermore, oxidation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 in enterocytes exceeded desaturation irrespective of dietary treatment, whereas similar amounts of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 were desaturated and oxidized in hepatocytes from fish fed only fish oil and desaturation exceeded oxidation by 3-fold in fish fed the diet containing 100% linseed oil. The molecular mechanisms underpinning these results were discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inter-individual variation in total fatty acid compositions of flesh of Atlantic salmon smolts-fed diets containing fish oil or vegetable oil

Fish such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) are a natural source of n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) eicosapentaenate (EPA; 20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoate (DHA; 22:6n‐3), which are essential for protecting humans against cardiovascular diseases. Thus, flesh n‐3 HUFA level is a trait of considerable importance in farmed fish, particularly now that the fishmeal and fish oil (FO) components of traditional aquaculture diets have to be replaced by more sustainable alternatives including plant meals and vegetable oils (VO). The present study aimed to characterize the inter‐individual variation in this trait in a single strain of Atlantic salmon. Fish were grown for 12 weeks on either an FO diet, or a diet with 100% of the FO replaced by a VO blend containing rapeseed, linseed and palm oils, flesh n‐3 HUFA content and composition determined, and the variation between individuals characterized. The results showed that, irrespective of diet, variation exists in the content of n‐3 HUFA in the flesh of individual salmon, showing that individual animals can display an enhanced ability to maintain high levels of n‐3 HUFA in their flesh. The pros and cons of defining the trait on a qualitative or quantitative basis are discussed.     

Schizochytrium as a replacement for fish oil in a fishmeal free diet for jade perch,Scortum barcoo (McCulloch & Waite)

A 10‐week trial was conducted to determine the response of juvenile jade perch Scortum barcoo on the replacement of dietary fish oil (FO) in a fishmeal free diet. Three iso‐nitrogenous, isocaloric and isolipidic diets were formulated, each containing a different primary fat source: FO, linseed oil (LO), and a mixture of Schizochytrium and LO. The substitution of FO with the mixture of Schizochytrium and LO did not cause a difference in growth. However, there was an 8% reduction in weight gain in fish fed dietary LO, indicating that juvenile jade perch do require a minimal concentration of dietary n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA). Fish fed the Schizochytrium diet stored more efficient n‐3 HUFA and in particular DHA in their flesh, and retained a higher fillet recovery compared to fish fed FO. In addition, we demonstrated that jade perch are able to produce both n‐3 HUFA and n‐6 HUFA when dietary PUFA are present. Fish fed the LO diet for 10 weeks contained the lowest amount of n‐3 HUFA in fillets among dietary treatment groups. However, feeding these fish the Schizochytrium diet for an additional 4 weeks increased the n‐3 HUFA content towards the same concentration of n‐3 HUFA found in the flesh of fish fed FO, without affecting the sensory properties of the fillets. In contrary, feeding the Schizochytrium diet for a continuous period of 14 weeks lowered overall sensory property scores.     

Influences of dietary fatty acid profile on growth, body composition and blood chemistry in juvenile fat cod (Hexagrammos otakii Jordan et Starks)

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of dietary lipid source and n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 HUFA) level on growth, body composition and blood chemistry of juvenile fat cod. Triplicate groups of fish (13.2 ± 0.54 g) were fed the diets containing different n‐3 HUFA levels (0–30 g kg^?1) adjusted by either lauric acid or different proportions of corn oil, linseed oil and squid liver oil at 100 g kg^?1 of total lipid level. Survival was not affected by dietary fatty acids composition. Weight gain, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of fish fed the diets containing squid liver oil were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed the diets containing lauric acid, corn oil or linseed oil as the sole lipid source. Weight gain, feed efficiency and PER of fish increased with increasing dietary n‐3 HUFA level up to 12–16 g kg^?1, but the values decreased in fish fed the diet containing 30 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA. The result of second‐order polynomial regression showed that the maximum weight gain and feed efficiency could be attained at 17 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA. Plasma protein, glucose and cholesterol contents were not affected by dietary fatty acids composition. However, plasma triglyceride content in fish fed the diet containing lauric acid as the sole lipid source was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than that of fish fed the other diets. Lipid content of fish fed the diets containing each of lauric acid or corn oil was lower than that of fish fed the diets containing linseed oil or squid liver oil only. Fatty acid composition of polar and neutral lipid fractions in the whole body of fat cod fed the diets containing various levels of n‐3 HUFA were reflected by dietary fatty acids compositions. The contents of n‐3 HUFA in polar and neutral lipids of fish increased with an increase in dietary n‐3 HUFA level. These results indicate that dietary n‐3 HUFA are essential and the diet containing 12–17 g kg^?1 n‐3 HUFA is optimal for growth and efficient feed utilization of juvenile fat cod, however, excessive n‐3 HUFA supplement may impair the growth of fish.     

Effect of different plant oils on growth performance,fatty acid composition and flesh quality of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This experiment intended to assess the effect of sesame (SO), sunflower (SFO) and linseed (LO) oils on growth performance, fatty acid composition of fillet and liver or flesh quality traits of rainbow trout. Fish fed different four iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic experimental feeds. The control feed contained only fish oil as the primary lipid source. The fillet eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid levels were the highest in fish fed control feed. In contrast, the liver eicosapentaenoic acid level was the highest in fish fed LO feed. Fish fed SFO feed had the highest level of total n?6 fatty acids in fillet and liver. Fish fed SO feed had the highest level of 18:1 n?9 fatty acid in fillet and liver. During the 12 days refrigerated storage period at 1°C, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and pH values gradually increased in all dietary groups. However, trimethylamin nitrogen (TMA‐N) values increased in all dietary groups between days 0 and 9 during the storage period. Generally, pH value in fillets of control group was slightly higher than the other fish groups during 12 days refrigerated storage. Nevertheless, the chemical indicators of spoilage, TBA, TMA‐N and pH values were in the limit of acceptability for human consumption. Results of growth performance and chemical tests in the present study showed that sesame, linseed and sunflower oils could be used in feeds for rainbow trout. Moreover, we concluded that further researches should be carried out on the partial replacement of fish oil by sesame oil in rainbow trout nutrition.     

Replacement of fish oil with vegetable oil blends in feeds for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) juveniles: Effect on growth performance,feed efficiency,tissue fatty acid composition and flesh nutritional value

This study was undertaken to assess the effects of fish oil (FO) substitution by a mixture of alternative vegetable oils (VO) on Seriola dumerili culture performance. A 154‐day feeding experiment was conducted using juveniles (39.2 ± 1.6 g average weight). Three isolipidic and isoenergetic meal‐based diets were formulated varying their lipid component. The control diet contained 100% FO (FO100), whereas diets VO50 and VO100 included 1/2 of oil blend and all the oil from blend of palm oil (PO) and linseed oil (LO) as substitute for FO, respectively. Dietary regime did not significantly affect growth performance, biometric indices, feed efficiency, plasma chemistry and liver and muscle lipid contents. Nonetheless, dietary VO inclusion impacted on the fatty acid profile of target tissues, especially in the liver. Fatty acid profiles of the fillets reflected those of the dietary oils except that there was apparent selective utilization of palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n‐9) and apparent selective retention of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n‐3). The nutritional value and the potential ability to prevent the development of coronary heart diseases of the flesh lipid fraction decreased with gradual FO substitution.     

Comparison of effects of vegetable oils blended with southern hemisphere fish oil and decontaminated northern hemisphere fish oil on growth performance, composition and gene expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Replacement of fish oil with sustainable alternatives, such as vegetable oil, in aquaculture diets has to be achieved without compromising the nutritional quality, in terms of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) content, of the product. This may be possible if the level of replacement is not too high and oil blends are chosen carefully but, if high levels of fish oil are substituted, a fish oil finishing diet prior to harvest would be required to restore n-3HUFA. However, a decontaminated fish oil would be required to avoid increasing undesirable contaminants. Here we test the hypotheses that blending of rapeseed and soybean oils with southern hemisphere fish oil will have a low impact upon tissue n-3HUFA levels, and that decontamination of fish oil will have no major effect on the nutritional quality of fish oil as a feed ingredient for Atlantic salmon. Salmon (initial weight ~ 0.8 kg) were fed for 10 weeks with diets in which 60% of fish oil was replaced with blends of soybean, rapeseed and southern hemisphere fish oil (SVO) or 100% decontaminated northern fish oil (DFO) in comparison with a standard northern fish oil diet (FO). Decontamination of the oil was a two-step procedure that included treatment with activated carbon followed by thin film deodorisation. Growth performance and feed efficiency were unaffected by either the SVO or DFO diets despite these having lower gross nutrient and fatty acid digestibilities than the FO diet. There were also no effects on the gross composition of the fish. Liver and, to a lesser extent flesh, lipid levels were lower in fish fed the SVO blends, due to lower proportions of neutral lipids, specifically triacylglycerol. Tissue lipid levels were not affected in fish fed the DFO diet. Reflecting the diet, flesh eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and total n-3 fatty acids were higher, and 18:1n-9 lower, in fish fed DFO than FO, whereas there were no differences in liver fatty acid compositions. Flesh EPA levels were only slightly reduced from about 6% to 5% although docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was reduced more severely from around 13% to about 7% in fish fed the SVO diets. In contrast, the liver fatty acid compositions showed higher levels of n-3 HUFA, with DHA only reduced from 21% to about 18% and EPA increased from under 8% to 9–10% in fish fed the SVO diets. The evidence suggested that increased liver EPA (and arachidonic acid) was not simply retention, but also conversion of dietary 18:3n-3 and 18:2n-6. Increased HUFA synthesis was supported by increased hepatic expression of fatty acyl desaturases in fish fed the SVO diets. Flesh n-3HUFA levels and desaturase expression was significantly higher in fish fed soybean oil than in fish fed rapeseed oil. In conclusion, partial replacement of fish oil with blends of vegetable oils and southern hemisphere fish oil had minimal impact on HUFA levels in liver, but a greater effect on flesh HUFA levels. Despite lower apparent digestibility, decontamination of fish oil did not significantly impact its nutritional quality for salmon.     

Effect of nucleotides supplementation to low‐fish meal feed on long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of juvenile rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of nucleotides supplementation to low‐fish meal feed on growth and fatty acid composition of rainbow trout. Six isonitrogenous (42% crude protein) and isolipidic (18% crude lipid) diets were formulated containing fish meal and plant ingredients as main protein sources. The control diet was a basal diet without supplementation of nucleotides, and five experimental diets were prepared by supplementing one of the five different nucleotides in the form of 5′‐monophosphate (0.15%), that is inosine (IMP), adenosine (AMP), guanosine (GMP), uridine (UMP) and cytidine (CMP) onto basal diet. Two hundred forty juvenile rainbow trout with an initial average body weight 9.8 g were randomly distributed into twelve aquaria. After 15 weeks of feeding period, growth performance and feed utilization of rainbow trout were not significantly different among dietary treatments. Dietary GMP, UMP and CMP tended to accumulate crude lipid in the muscle and whole fish body. Moreover, dietary GMP, UMP and CMP significantly increased hepatic 18:3n‐3 and long‐chain homologue 18:4n‐3 and 20:4n‐3 contents. Hepatic 18:2n‐6 content showed also increase in fish fed GMP, UMP and CMP diets, but decreased in long‐chain homologue 20:3n‐6 and 20:4n‐6 contents. Decrease in 20:4n‐6, 20:5n‐3 and 22:6n‐3 contents was also found in the muscle of fish fed IMP, GMP and CMP diets. The present study clearly showed that there was no positive effect of dietary nucleotides on growth of fish, but dietary nucleotides particularly GMP, UMP and CMP altered polyunsaturated fatty acid composition of rainbow trout.     

Effects of nutritional status and diet composition on fatty acid transporters expression in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

This study investigated the expression of zebrafish (Danio rerio) fatty acid transporters, such as scavenger receptor CD36, plasma membrane fatty acid‐binding protein (FABPpm), and fatty acid transport protein family (FATPs), in responses to nutritional status and diet composition. For diet composition study, three isonitrogenous (43% crude protein) purified diets were formulated to contain 6%, 12% and 18% crude lipid levels. Meanwhile five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic purified diets were formulated to contain different lipid sources including fish oil (FO; rich in n‐3 HUFA), palmitic acid (PA; rich in C16:0), olive oil (OO; rich in C18:1n‐9), sunflower oil (SO; rich in C18:2n‐6) or perilla oil (PO; rich in C18:3n‐3) as the sole lipid source. Results showed that liver CD36, FABPpm‐a, FABPpm‐b, FATP1‐a and FATP6, intestine CD36, FABPpm‐a and FABPpm‐b, and muscle CD36 and FATP1‐b were significantly increased during postprandial period. During starvation, liver CD36, FABPpm‐a, FABPpm‐b and FATP1‐a, intestine FABPpm‐a, FABPpm‐b, FATP4 and FATP6, and muscle FATP1‐b, FATP4 and FATP6 were significantly increased. The expression of some fatty acid transporters (including liver CD36 and FABPpm‐b, intestine FABPpm‐a, and muscle CD36, FABPpm‐a, FATP1‐a, FATP2 and FATP4) was up‐regulated by refeeding, while the expression of other fatty acid transporters (liver FABPpm‐a and intestine FATP1‐a, FATP4 and FATP6) was down‐regulated by refeeding. The expression of several fatty acid transporters (liver FATP2 and FATP4, and intestine CD36, FATP2 and FATP4) was significantly increased by high‐lipid diet, whereas CD36, FATP1‐b, FATP2 and FATP4 expression in the muscle were reduced by increasing dietary lipid level. Compared with FO group, the muscle of fish fed the diet with OO had a higher CD36 mRNA abundance, while the muscle of fish fed the diet with OO and PO had a higher FATP1‐b expression. Compared with the FO group, the hepatic FATP2 mRNA was significantly increased in the PA group, while the intestine FATP2 mRNA was significantly increased in the SO and PO groups. In addition, intestine FATP4 expression in the PA and OO groups was lower compared with the FO group. The results indicate that zebrafish fatty acid transporters play a central role in coordinating the mobilization of fuel substrates in responses to nutritional status and diet composition.     

Effect of dietary kefir on the growth performance,feed utilization and fatty acid profile of juvenile rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

A study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding with diets containing kefir on growth performance and fatty acid profile of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four isonitrogenous (450 g protein kg^?1) and isocaloric (4325 kcal kg^?1) diets were prepared in trout feed to contain 0 (control), 20, 50 and 100 g kg^?1 kefir. Fish, initial weight of 46 g, were randomly distributed into triplicate 520‐L fibreglass tanks in freshwater flow‐through system. Fish were fed at 4% of the body weight thrice a day for 12 weeks. The results indicated that survival rate ranged from 97.14 to 100% without significant difference among treatments (p > .05). Whole‐body moisture and lipid composition were significantly affected by diets containing different levels of kefir (p < .05), but no differences were determined in protein and ash. Furthermore, the fatty acid profile of flesh showed differences among the groups. The percentages of saturated fatty acid in the flesh lipid decreased, while 18:3n‐3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased at higher substitution levels of kefir grain. The present study showed that up to 100 g kg^?1 supplementation of kefir in diets could be improve the fatty acid profile, especially PUFA, in fish flesh without adverse effect on the growth, feed utilization and survival rate of rainbow trout.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources in the diet for Pangasius nasutus (Bleeker, 1863) juveniles on growth performance,feed efficiency,body indices and muscle and liver fatty acid compositions

Four isonitrogenous (300 g kg^?1 crude protein), isoenergetic (21 kJ g^?1) experimental diets were formulated to contain fish oil (FO), soybean oil (SBO), crude palm oil (CPO) and linseed oil (LO), respectively, as the lipid sources, added at 120 g kg^?1 of crude lipid each. The diets were fed by hand to triplicate groups of Pangasius nasutus (Bleeker, 1863) juveniles (mean weight 10.66 ± 0.04 g), to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. Fish survival rate was 100% among all the treatments. Growth performance (DGR) was similar among fish fed the SBO, CPO and LO diets, but was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the CPO compared to fish fed the control (FO) diet. Fish fed SBO and CPO diets also recorded significantly (P < 0.05) higher intraperitoneal fat compared to fish fed the control, whereas fish fed the LO diet did not significantly differ from the other treatments. Muscle and liver fatty acid profile of fish from all the treatments generally mirrored the composition of the diets fed and the major fatty acids recorded were 18:3n‐3 and 18:2n‐6 in the tissues of fish fed the LO and SBO treatments, respectively. Results of this study suggests that P. nasutus fed diets containing vegetable oils (especially CPO and SBO) produce better growth performance, without compromising fish survival and feed efficiency compared with those fed a diet containing only FO.     

The influence of environmental temperature on the apparent nutrient and fatty acid digestibility in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) fed finishing diets containing different blends of fish oil, rapeseed oil and palm oil

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the interactive effects between water temperature and diets supplemented with different blends of fish oil, rapeseed oil and crude palm oil (CPO) on the apparent nutrient and fatty acid digestibility in Atlantic salmon. Two isolipidic extruded diets with added fish oil fixed at 50% and CPO supplemented at 10% or 25% of total added oil, at the expense of rapeseed oil, were formulated and fed to groups of Atlantic salmon (about 3.4 kg) maintained in floating cages. There were no significant effects (P>0.05) of diet on growth, feed utilization efficiency, muscle total lipid or pigment concentrations. Fatty acid compositions of muscle and liver lipids were mostly not significantly different in salmon fed the two experimental diets but showed elevated concentrations of 18:1n‐9 and 18:2n‐6 compared with initial values. Decreasing water temperatures (11–6°C) did not significantly affect protein, lipid or energy apparent digestibilities of the diets with different oil blends. However, dry matter digestibility decreased significantly in fish fed the diet with CPO at 25% of added oil. Increasing dietary CPO levels and decreasing water temperature significantly reduced the apparent digestibility (AD) of saturated fatty acids. The AD of the saturates decreased with increasing chain length within each temperature regimen irrespective of CPO level fed to the fish. The AD of monoenes and polyunsaturated fatty acids was not affected by dietary CPO levels or water temperature. No significant interaction between diet and water temperature effects was detected on the AD of all nutrients and fatty acids. The results of this study showed that the inclusion of CPO up to about 10% (wt/wt) in Atlantic salmon feeds resulted in negligible differences in nutrient and fatty acid digestibility that did not affect growth performance of fish at the range of water temperatures generally encountered in the grow‐out phase.     

The effect of soybean oil containing stearidonic acid on growth performance,n‐3 fatty acid deposition and sensory characteristics of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

The ability of shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei to utilize soy oil (SO) modified to contain stearidonic acid (SDA) in replacement of fish oil (FO) by converting SDA to highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) was examined. Six diets with either supplemental modified SO or FO and three levels of fishmeal (FM) replacement (0%, 50% and 100%) by soybean meal (SBM) were fed to shrimp (1.7 g) for 12 weeks. The effect of oil source at the three SBM levels on growth and fatty acid profiles was examined by contrast analysis and sensory attributes by t‐tests (5% error rate). At 0% SBM inclusion, there was no effect of dietary oil source, while at the highest SBM inclusion level, shrimp fed the FO diet outperformed those fed the corresponding SO diet. Oil source had no effect on sensory attributes. The fatty acid profiles of the shrimp reflected that of the diets. SDA SO can replace supplemental FO in diets for shrimp with no reduction in growth when there is sufficient oil present from FM. At low FM, however, replacing FO with SDA SO reduces shrimp performance and tissue n‐3 HUFA levels. It is concluded that SDA is unable to meet the essential fatty acid needs of shrimp.     

Optimizing the essential fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, in the diet of the prawn, Penaeus monodon

The dietary requirements of Penaeus monodon for eicosapentaenoic (20:5n‐3; EPA) and docosahexaenoic (22:6n‐3; DHA) acids were examined. These requirements were examined when dietary levels of linoleic (18:2n‐6; LOA) and linolenic acids (18:3n‐3; LNA) were also provided at previously established optimal levels of 14 and 21% respectively of the total lipid fatty acids. A 5 × 5 factorial design was used with incremental amounts (0, 4, 8, 12 and 16% of total fatty acids) of EPA and/or DHA. An additional diet containing cod‐liver oil was provided as a reference diet. The total lipid content of all of the 25 treatments and reference diets was maintained at the same level of 75 g kg^?1. Growth of prawns fed with the reference diet after 50 days was 244 ± 21%. The greatest response to singular additions of EPA or DHA was with a 12% inclusion of either fatty acid, resulting in 287 ± 21 and 293 ± 18% weight gain, respectively. Growth was generally better when combinations of EPA and DHA were used, the optimal combination being EPA 4% and DHA 4%, resulting in 335 ± 25% weight gain. Addition of high levels of either of the highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in the diet had a negative effect on growth. Digestibilities of the total neutral lipid and specific fatty acids were examined during the growth trials. The digestibility of total neutral lipid was usually higher when either or both HUFA were present, however there were few significant differences between treatments that contained either or both HUFA. Following the growth trials, digestive glands (DG) of prawns fed with the various diets were analysed to determine the total lipid content and fatty acid composition. Total lipid in the digestive gland increased with the inclusion of DHA, but was not significantly affected by the addition of EPA. The fatty acid composition of the digestive gland lipid generally reflected that of the diet. However, the maximum retention of EPA (11.1% of total DG fatty acids) and DHA (10.7% of total DG fatty acids), was not directly proportional to the amount of either fatty acid present in the diet. These results demonstrate that both EPA and DHA have considerable growth promoting capacity. This growth promoting capacity is enhanced when an optimal balance of both fatty acids are incorporated into the diet.