Growth performance and metabolic utilization of diets including starch,dextrin, maltose or glucose as carbohydrate source by gilthead sea bream (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sparus aurata</Emphasis>) juveniles

The effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth, feed utilization and activity of selected key liver enzymes of intermediary metabolism were studied in gilthead sea bream juveniles. Four isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (16% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% of pregelatinized maize starch, dextrin, maltose or glucose. Triplicate groups of fish (117 g initial weight) were fed each diet to near satiation during 6 weeks. No effect of dietary carbohydrate on growth was noticed. Feed efficiency was lower in fish fed the glucose diet than the maltose and dextrin diets. The lowest protein efficiency ratio was observed in fish fed the glucose diet. Six hours after feeding, glycemia was higher in fish fed the glucose diet than the maltose and starch diets. Liver glycogen content was unaffected by dietary carbohydrate complexity. Hepatic glucokinase (GK) activity was higher in fish fed the glucose and the maltose diets, while higher pyruvate kinase (PK) activity was recorded in fish fed the glucose diet than in fish fed the starch diet. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities were higher in fish fed the starch diet compared to dextrin and glucose diets. Data suggest that dietary glucose and maltose are more effective than complex carbohydrates in enhancing liver glycolytic activity. Dietary glucose also seems to be more effective than starch in depressing liver gluconeogenic and lipogenic activities. Overall, dietary maltose, dextrin or starch was better utilized than glucose as energy source by gilthead sea bream juveniles.     

Effect of dietary starch source (normal versus waxy) and protein levels on the performance of white sea bream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus) juveniles

An experiment was performed to evaluate the growth performance and feed utilization of white sea bream juveniles (initial weight, 14 g) fed diets of cornstarch of different origins (normal and waxy). Four experimental diets were formulated to be isolipidic and to contain normal and waxy starch (26% or 42%) at two protein (36% and 48%) levels. The growth trial lasted 15 weeks and, at the end of the trial, there were no differences in the growth rate among groups. At the highest dietary starch level – but not at the lowest level – the feed efficiency ratio and PER were significantly lower in fish fed the waxy starch diet. Protein efficiency ratio and N retention (% N intake) were not affected by starch source but were significantly higher in the diets with a lower protein content. No differences in energy retention (% energy intake) were observed among groups. Except for the protein content, which was significantly higher in fish fed diets with a high protein level, no other differences were observed among groups in whole‐body composition. Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) was significantly higher in fish fed high‐starch diets, but there were no differences in visceral indices among groups. The apparent digestibility coefficients of protein and energy were not affected by the dietary starch level, but were significantly lower in diets including waxy starch. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed high‐protein diets, but it was not affected by dietary starch source. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were not different among groups. Glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthetase activities were not affected by the dietary starch level, but were significantly lower in fish fed waxy starch. The results of this study indicate that diets for white sea bream juveniles may include up to 42% starch without negative effects on fish performance. Moreover, normal starch appears to be more efficiently used as an energy source than waxy starch.     

饲料中不同蛋白质和淀粉水平对斜带石斑鱼生长性能和肝脏相关代谢酶活性的影响

为了探讨饲料蛋白质和碳水化合物对斜带石斑鱼的互作效应,实验采用3×3因子设计,配制蛋白质水平(P)为38%、45%和52%,淀粉水平(S)为10%、20%和30%的9种实验饲料,分别饲喂斜带石斑鱼56 d。结果显示,38%粗蛋白与10%淀粉饲料组(38P/10S饲料组)增重率显著低于其他各组,52P/10S组增重率最高,但与45P/20S、45P/30S、52P/20S组差异不显著。增加饲料蛋白质或淀粉水平显著增加饲料效率、鱼体蛋白质与脂肪含量及肝糖原肝脂含量,而降低摄食率和鱼体水分含量。增加饲料蛋白质水平降低蛋白质效率,但增加淀粉水平却增加蛋白质效率及肝体比与脏体比。饲料蛋白质水平和淀粉水平对鱼体灰分含量无明显影响。肝中肝酯酶、脂蛋白酯酶、脂肪酸合成酶、谷丙转氨酶和谷草转氨酶活性均随蛋白质或淀粉水平的升高呈显著上升趋势。增加饲料蛋白质水平显著降低肝中葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶活性,而增加肝中苹果酸酶活性,但对肝中葡萄糖激酶、丙酮酸激酶、磷酸果糖激酶、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶和葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶活性没有明显影响。增加饲料淀粉水平显著增加肝中葡萄糖激酶、丙酮酸激酶、磷酸果糖激酶、葡萄糖-6-磷酸脱氢酶和苹果酸酶活性,但显著降低磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶和葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶活性。上述结果显示,斜带石斑鱼的生长和肝脏代谢明显受饲料蛋白质和淀粉水平的影响,其中,糖代谢酶活性受淀粉水平的影响较大,而受饲料蛋白质水平的影响较小,斜带石斑鱼生长适宜的饲料蛋白质和淀粉水平分别为45%和20%。     

不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼的生长性能、饲料利用及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响

为探讨饲料中添加不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼幼鱼生长、饲料利用以及糖代谢关键酶活力的影响,进行了为期8周的生长实验。设计了3个小麦淀粉水平(5%、10%和30%)和2个脂肪水平(5%和10%)的3×2的两因子实验,配制了6种等氮的饲料,分别喂养平均体质量为(6.75±0.12)g的大黄鱼幼鱼。结果显示,饲料中小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对大黄鱼增重率(WG)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料效率(FE)、成活率(SR)、肝体比(HSI)和肥满度(CF)无显著交互作用,对脏体比(VSI)有显著交互作用。在同一脂肪水平下,淀粉水平为30%组WG和SGR显著高于10%淀粉组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝糖原含量无显著交互作用,而对肌糖原含量有显著交互作用,在饲料脂肪水平为5%时,30%小麦淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平,10%淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平;在脂肪水平为10%时,10%淀粉水平下的肝糖原含量显著高于20%和30%淀粉水平,而30%小麦淀粉水平下的肌糖原含量显著高于10%和20%淀粉水平。小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对血清中谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、谷草转氨酶(AST)、总胆固醇(TC)和葡萄糖(GLU)含量无显著交互作用,对总蛋白(TP)和甘油三酯(TG)交互作用显著。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏脂肪酶活性有显著的交互作用,对淀粉酶活性无显著交互作用;同一脂肪水平下,脂肪酶的活性随着淀粉水平的升高而升高,同一饲料淀粉水平下,饲料脂肪水平为10%组的脂肪酶活性显著高于5%组。不同小麦淀粉和脂肪水平对肝脏丙酮酸激酶(PK)的活性有显著的交互作用,而对葡萄糖激酶(GK)、磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)、1,6-二磷酸果糖酶(FBPase)和6-磷酸葡萄糖酶(G6Pase)的活性均无显著交互作用。研究表明,当饲料脂肪水平为5%时,大黄鱼能够通过调节糖酵解关键酶活性及肝糖原含量来维持血糖平衡,改善对小麦淀粉的利用能力;而当脂肪水平为10%时,大黄鱼对小麦淀粉的利用能力降低。     

Effect of diet composition on nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme levels of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary composition on apparent digestibility coefficients of protein, fat and carbohydrate of gilthead sea bream. In addition α‐amylase and proteolytic activities were measured in the digestive tract of fish, held at 20±1°C. Six experimental diets were formulated containing approximately 40%, 45% and 50% protein, 11% and 21% fat and a starch level which fluctuated from 14% to 36%. Fish having an average weight of 100–130 g were used, fed at 1.5% of their body weight daily, and digestibility was measured using an indirect method. Enzyme activities were measured in the digestive tract of fish, fed diets containing a combination of 40%, 50% protein with 11%, 21% fat at 0.5, 5, 10, 24 h after a single meal. Starch digestibility was reduced with its level in the diet. It also negatively affected fat digestibility as well as protein digestibility, the last only at the high fat level. Dietary fat level had a negative effect on starch and protein digestibility. Fat affected also strongly α‐amylase levels in the digestive tract, while its effect on protease activity was of smaller magnitude. These results indicate that digestive enzyme activities and nutrient digestibility values are affected by dietary composition, carbohydrates and fat indicating the strongest effect.     

饲料不同淀粉水平对团头鲂成鱼生长性能、消化酶活性及肌肉成分的影响

为探讨饲料淀粉水平对团头鲂成鱼生长、消化酶活性和肌肉成分的影响,选用初始均重为(161±2.7)g的团头鲂成鱼360尾,随机分成6组(每组3个重复),分别投喂含淀粉17.1%、21.8%、26.4%、32.0%、36.3%和41.9%的等氮等脂饲料9周。结果发现,团头鲂成鱼成活率和特定生长率不受饲料淀粉水平影响,但饲料添加适量淀粉能提高饲料和蛋白利用率,淀粉水平对肝脏和肠道中的总蛋白酶和纤维素酶活性不产生影响,却显著影响淀粉酶活性。肝体比、肝糖原和肌肉粗脂肪含量随饲料淀粉含量的增加而显著增加,血清血糖、胆固醇和甘油三酯含量不受饲料淀粉水平的显著影响,饲料中添加过量淀粉显著降低了血清补体3和补体4含量。以蛋白质效率和饲料效率为评价指标,经折线模型回归分析,得到团头鲂成鱼饲料中淀粉的适宜添加量分别为饲料干重的34.1%和31.4%,但考虑到血清补体的活性,团头鲂成鱼日粮淀粉水平不应超过36.3%。     

Water temperature does not affect protein sparing by dietary carbohydrate in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) juveniles

The effect of dietary protein reduction balanced by an increase in carbohydrate (starch) level on growth performance, feed utilization and intermediary metabolism of Senegalese sole juveniles was evaluated at two temperatures, 12 and 18°C. For that purpose two isolipidic (16% lipids) diets were formulated to contain 550gkg^?1 protein and 90gkg^?1 starch (diet HP:LC), and 450gkg^?1 protein and 200gkg^?1 starch (diet LP:HC). Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 20 fish (initial body weight: 15.9g) within each temperature. Diets had no effect on growth and feed utilization. Temperature affected growth but not feed efficiency, with fish growing more at 18°C. Fatty acid synthetase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were higher at 12°C than at 18°C while activity of the other measured enzymes was not affected by water temperature. Glucokinase and malic enzyme activities were lower while fructose 1,6‐bisphosphatase activity was higher in fish fed the HP:LC diet. Our data suggest that protein can be reduced from 550 gkg^?1 to 450 gkg^?1 by increasing starch level in high lipid diets for Senegalese sole juveniles without affecting overall performance. A reduction in protein content through an increase in dietary starch decreases hepatic gluconeogenesis. Increasing temperature from 12°C to 18°C improves fish growth but does not affect feed efficiency.     

Temperature and dietary carbohydrate level effects on performance and metabolic utilisation of diets in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of temperature and dietary starch level on growth performance, nutrient utilisation, whole-body composition and activity of selected hepatic intermediary metabolism enzymes in European sea bass juveniles. An experimental diet was formulated to contain 46% crude protein, 12% crude lipids and 30% pregelatinized starch (diet 30GS); two other diets were formulated to include the same levels of all ingredients as diet 30GS except for the pregelatinized starch, which was included at 20% (diet 20GS) or 10% (diet 10GS). Diets were assigned to triplicate groups of 25 fish (initial weight: 15 g) at two water temperatures (18 and 25 °C) for 10 weeks. Group receiving diet 30GS was fed to apparent satiation and groups fed diets 20GS and 10GS were pair-fed according to group fed diet 30GS, so that each group ate the same amount of all nutrients except for carbohydrates. At the end of the trial, growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were higher at 25 than at 18 °C. Dietary starch level did not affect growth or N utilisation. Feed efficiency was inversely related to dietary starch level. Whole-body lipids and energy content were higher at 25 °C and increased with dietary starch levels. Whole-body protein and ash content were also higher at 25 °C but were not affected by dietary starch level. Liver glycogen, HSI and VI increased with dietary starch level. ADC of starch was higher at 25 °C and within each temperature decreased with increasing dietary starch levels. ADC of protein was neither affected by temperature nor dietary starch levels. Data on enzyme activities showed that hexokinase (HK) but not glucokinase (GK) was affected by temperature. Dietary starch level affected the activities of glucokinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) but not of the others enzymes tested (HK, PK, FBPase and GDH).     

饲料中三种不同碳水化合物对大黄鱼生长性能和肝脏糖代谢关键酶活性的影响

为研究饲料中添加3种不同的碳水化合物对大黄鱼生长性能、饲料利用以及糖代谢关键酶活性的影响,进行为期8周的生长实验和持续24 h的饥饿实验。以葡萄糖、小麦淀粉和糊精这3种碳水化合物作为糖源,设计3组等氮等脂(48%粗蛋白和12%粗脂肪)的饲料。选用初始体质量为(8.51±0.02)g的大黄鱼450尾,随机分为3组(每组3个重复,每个重复50尾)。养殖实验结束后进行饥饿实验,分别在饥饿实验开始后的0、1、3、5、7、9、11和24 h取样。结果显示,小麦淀粉组和糊精组大黄鱼的增重率和特定生长率显著高于葡萄糖组,且这2个饲料组的饲料系数显著低于葡萄糖组。糊精组大黄鱼的肝体比显著高于其余2组大黄鱼的肝体比。饲料中添加3种不同碳水化合物对大黄鱼成活率、脏体比和肥满度无显著性影响。葡萄糖组和小麦淀粉组大黄鱼血糖含量在饥饿1 h后都开始显著上升,葡萄糖组高血糖水平持续至少10 h;小麦淀粉组3 h显著下降至初始水平左右,未达到高血糖水平;糊精组大黄鱼血糖含量随着时间的推移持续升高,在11 h达到最大值,高血糖水平持续4 h。饲料中添加3种不同碳水化合物对大黄鱼血清胰岛素和肝糖原含量有显著性影响。小麦淀粉对大黄鱼肝脏葡萄糖激酶(GK)活性的升高有诱导作用。大黄鱼摄食3种不同碳水化合物饲料后鱼体血糖水平升高,但糖异生关键酶如葡萄糖-6-磷酸酶(G6Pase)、果糖-1,6-二磷酸酶(FBPase)和磷酸烯醇式丙酮酸羧激酶(PEPCK)的活性并不降低。饲料中添加葡萄糖和小麦淀粉对大黄鱼肝脏丙酮酸激酶(PK)活性有显著性影响。研究表明,大黄鱼利用结构复杂的多糖(如小麦淀粉和糊精)的能力要高于单糖(如葡萄糖),3种不同碳水化合物对大黄鱼血糖调节及糖酵解和糖异生途径关键酶活性的影响存在差异。     

Effects of raw corn starch levels on growth, feed utilization, plasma chemical indices and enzyme activities in juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus Houttuyn

A 10‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of raw corn starch levels on the growth, feed utilization, plasma chemical indices and metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus. Four semi‐purified experimental diets with different raw corn starch levels (5%, 10%, 20% and 26%) and a high‐protein control diet were prepared before the experiment and hand‐fed to triplicate groups of juvenile yellowfin seabream Sparus latus. Weight gain and specific growth rate for fish fed the diet containing 26% raw corn starch were significantly lower than those for fish fed 10% or 20% corn starch diets or the high‐protein control diet. Fish fed 10% or 20% corn starch diets had a slightly better growth performance than those fed the 5% corn starch diet. Feed efficiency ratio and protein efficiency ratio (PER) for 20% raw corn starch fed fish were the highest among all groups, although no statistically significant differences were found among the experimental groups. The high‐protein control group had a significantly lower PER value than other groups. Protein productive values for fish fed the 5% raw corn starch diet and the high‐protein control diet were significantly lower than those of fish fed the 20% raw corn starch diet, but not significantly different from the values of any other group. The values of intraperitoneal fat ratio, viscerosomatic index and condition factor, as well as body and muscle compositions, were unaffected by corn starch levels. The hepatosomatic index and liver glycogen level for fish fed 5%, 10%, 20% raw corn starch and the high‐protein control diets were equal but significantly lower compared with that of fish fed the 26% raw corn starch diet. Plasma values of the fish were not affected by various dietary treatments, except that a significantly higher plasma glucose concentration was measured in the high‐protein control group compared with the values in the other groups. There were variations in the activities of hepatic hexokinase and pyruvate kinase of the yellowfin seabream after they had been fed different dietary raw corn starch levels for 10 weeks. The overall results showed that a 20% inclusion level of raw corn starch in the diet was better utilized by juvenile yellowfin seabream than 5%, 10% or 26% levels and had a protein‐sparing effect.     

Carbohydrate molecule size affects the metabolic and digestive dynamics of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen)

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of carbohydrates with different molecular sizes on growth performance, feed utilization and composition, activity of digestive enzymes, plasma and hepatic metabolites of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen). Triplicate groups of jundiá (4.08 ± 0.005 g) were stocked in 12 tanks with stocking density of 25 individuals per tank and fed for 40 days with four isonitrogenous diets (37%) and isocaloric diets (3,200 kcal/kg) containing fructose (FRU), sucrose (SUC), maltodextrin (MALDEX) or corn starch (CS). The results showed no significant differences for growth variables and digestive enzymes. Fish whose diet received maltodextrin showed higher levels of deposited body fat and hepatosomatic index. Moreover, the above‐mentioned treatment resulted in lower concentrations of glucose and cholesterol in the plasma of jundiá, higher levels of triglycerides, and lower reserves of glucose and liver glycogen. However, fish fed the starch‐based diet presented higher moisture content, crude protein deposition, and body protein retention coefficient. In that same treatment, the jundiá presented higher levels of plasma glucose and liver protein. In conclusion, the efficiency of using digestible carbohydrates in iso‐nutritional diets for jundiá depends on the size of their molecular structure. The corn starch was the best dietary carbohydrate source for jundiá, based on feed utilization and composition and greater synchronicity between energy utilization and protein synthesis.     

Effect of high-level fish meal replacement by plant proteins in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) on growth and body/fillet quality traits

Juvenile gilthead sea bream (initial body weight ca. 100 g) were reared in an indoor flow through marine water system for 1 year. Fish were fed two isoenergetic [19.2 kJ g⁻¹ dry matter (DM)] and isoproteic (426 g kg⁻¹ DM) diets either based on fish meal (diet FM) or on a mixture of plant protein sources (diet PP), replacing 75% of fish meal protein. The growth trial was conducted in duplicate, two tanks for each dietary treatment. Growth performance and feed utilization were registered. Fillet quality parameters were evaluated and sensory analyses on cooked fillet were performed. Both groups had similar weight gain and specific growth rates. Feed intake was higher in sea bream fed diet FM (0.48 versus 0.44), while feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were significantly higher in sea bream fed PP (0.83 versus 0.77 and 2.0 versus 1.76, respectively). Sea bream fed diet FM had a lower hepatosomatic index (0.80 versus 0.87%), and a higher fillet yield (45.9 versus 44.9%). The fillet from sea bream fed diet FM had higher moisture (696 versus 682 g kg⁻¹), lower lipid levels (91 versus 100 g kg⁻¹) with higher levels of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), while the PP fed sea bream presented a higher level of PUFA n‐6. There were minor differences in muscle free amino acid levels between the two diet groups. As regards sensory evaluation of cooked fillet, the judges were unable to discriminate the two dietary groups of fish. Summarizing, the results demonstrate the possibility to use diets containing high levels (750 g kg⁻¹) of plant ingredients in gilthead sea bream without affecting growth performance and with minor effects on quality traits of commercial size sea bream.     

Preliminary evaluation of pea seed meal in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Juvenile gilthead sea bream with a mean initial body weight of 5 g were fed for 12 weeks with experimental diets containing 10% and 20% fishmeal protein (sole protein source in the control diet) replaced by processed pea seed meals. The processed pea seed meals were dehulled, defibred, extruded and microground pea seed meal (PSM1) or whole pea treated by infrared radiation and ground (PSM2). Apparent digestibility coefficients of the experimental diets were determined in a separate trial. At the end of the growth trial there were no significant differences in growth performance, feed utilization or whole-body composition among experimental groups. There were no differences in apparent protein digestibility among experimental groups (except for fish fed PSM1 at the lowest inclusion level). Both dry matter and energy digestibility of the diets, including PSM2 and with the highest inclusion level of PSM1, were significantly lower than those of the control diet. The results of this study suggest that pea seed meal may replace up to 20% fishmeal protein in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles without affecting fish performance. Further studies should focus on technological treatments to increase utilization of pea seed meal carbohydrate, as both apparent dry matter and energy digestibility were affected by dietary inclusion level and by pea seed meal processing method.     

Hepatic enzyme adaptation to different dietary carbohydrates in juvenile tilapiaOreochromis niloticus xO. aureus

The influence of two carbohydrates, starch and glucose, on hepatic enzyme activities of juvenile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus xO. aureus, were investigated. Fish were fed either starch or glucose diet solely for 12 weeks or fed either starch or glucose diet for the first 6 weeks and then switched the diet each other for the last 6 weeks. Fish fed only the starch diet gained more (p < 0.05) body weight, had better feed conversion, higher protein deposition and energy retention values than fish fed the glucose diet. These parameters generally decreased in fish when the starch diet was fed first and then switched to the glucose diet, or increased in fish when the glucose diet was fed first and then switched to the starch diet. The starch — fed fish had higher body lipid content than glucose — fed fish. Body lipid decreased in fish transferred from the starch to glucose diet orvice versa when fish were transformed from the glucose to the starch diet. Hepatic hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in fish were not affected by the different dietary regimes. Malic enzyme (ME), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD) activities were higher in the fish fed the starch diet than in those fed the glucose diet. Changing the diet from starch to glucose decreased ME, G-6-PD and PGD activities, whereas, changing the diet from the glucose to the starch increased these enzyme activities in fish liver. These results suggest that lipogenic enzyme activity can adapt to dietary carbohydrates in the fish liver.     

Evaluation of micronized lupin seed meal as an alternative protein source in diets for gilthead sea bream Sparus aurata L. juveniles

A 12‐week growth trial was performed to evaluate the effect of lupin seed meal as a protein source in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) juveniles. Six experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and to contain 10%, 20% and 30% of raw lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) seed meal protein or 20% and 30% lupin (L. angustifolius) seed meal processed by infrared radiation (micronized) in place of fish meal protein, the only protein source of the control diet. Fish accepted all diets well and no significant differences in feed utilization among groups were noticed during the trial. Final weight of fish fed the experimental diets was identical or higher than the control group. Final weight of fish fed diets including 20% micronized lupin protein was even significantly higher than that of fish fed the fish meal‐based control diet. Moreover, at the same dietary lupin seed meal protein inclusion levels, final weight of fish fed diets including micronized lupin was significantly higher than with raw lupin. A trend was also noticed for a decrease of final weight with the increase in lupin seed meal in the diets. At the end of the trial no significant differences in proximate whole‐body composition, hepatosomatic and visceral indices were observed among groups. It is concluded that lupin seed meal can replace up to 30% fish meal protein in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles with no negative effects on growth performance. Furthermore, micronization of lupin seeds improves its dietary value for gilthead sea bream juveniles. At the same dietary lupin inclusion levels, diets including micronized lupin seeds promote significantly higher growth rates than raw lupin seeds.     

Effects of dietary amino acid profile on growth performance, key metabolic enzymes and somatotropic axis responsiveness of gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Juvenile gilthead sea bream were fed to visual satiety with isonitrogenous diets based on fish meal and different plant ingredients (33–35% replacement) supplemented with free amino acids to meet the desired indispensable amino acid (IAA) profile and dispensable amino acid (DAA) content. In diets M and WB, IAA profile and DAA content resemble that of the muscle or whole body, respectively. In diets MGlu and WBGlu, DAA content was increased by adding -glutamic acid (Glu) and thus the IAA/DAA ratio varied from 1.13 (diet M) to 0.80 (diet WBGlu). Growth rates were not significantly different among experimental groups, but feed conversion ratio and nitrogen retention were impaired by the decrease of dietary IAA/DAA ratio. Postprandial ammonia excretion increased with the increase of dietary DAA content irrespective of IAA profile. Conversely, hepatic activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) was lower in fish fed diet WBGlu than in fish fed diet M. Hepatic growth hormone (GH) binding was not significantly affected by the dietary treatment, but circulating levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and GH were, respectively, down- and up-regulated in fish fed diet WBGlu, which suggests some defect in the transmission of GH receptor signal. Fat retention and hepatic activities of lipogenic enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD; malic enzyme, ME) were decreased in fish fed diet MGlu. Key metabolic enzymes of hepatic glycolysis (glucokinase, GK) and gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, PEPCK) were also altered in this group of fish. Since soybean meal concentration was highest in diet MGlu, results on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism can be primarily attributed to this component of the diet. In contrast, data on growth performance, ammonia excretion and GH axis mainly reflect changes in the dietary amino acid profile, which reveals that a muscle IAA profile and a high IAA/DAA ratio are important in feeds for gilthead sea bream.     

Utilization of dietary starch by juvenile white sea bream Diplodus sargus at different feeding frequencies

To assess the effect of feeding frequency on the utilization of dietary starch by white sea bream juveniles, triplicate groups of fish were fed an experimental diet (400 g kg^?1 protein, 140 g kg^?1 lipids and 350 g kg^?1 pregelatinized maize starch) to apparent visual satiation 2, 3 or 4 times a day for 63 days. Growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, glycaemia, cholesterolaemia, plasma triacylglycerides, liver lipids and glycogen content were unaffected by feeding frequency. α‐Amylase activity increased from the pyloric caeca to the posterior intestine and was higher in fish fed twice a day than in fish fed 3 or 4 times a day. Hepatic glucokinase (GK) activity decreased with the increase in feeding frequencies, whereas fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (FBPase) activity increased. Hepatic glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase activities were unaffected by feeding frequency. Overall, feeding frequency did not improve white sea bream dietary starch utilization. α‐Amylase, GK and FBPase activities responded to dietary starch consumed at each meal, denoting a good metabolic adaptation of the fish to the feeding conditions.     

Growth,Feed Utilization,and Glycemic Response in European Sea Bass,Dicentrarchus labrax,Juveniles Fed Carbohydrate of Different Complexities

The effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth, feed utilization, and glycemia was studied in European sea bass juveniles. Four isonitrogenous (50% crude protein) and isolipidic (15% crude lipids) diets were formulated to contain 20% pregelatinized maize starch (PGS diet), dextrin (DEX diet), maltose (MAL diet), or glucose (GLU diet). No effect of dietary carbohydrate complexity on growth was noticed. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio were lower in fish fed the GLU diet than in the other groups, whereas the opposite was observed for feed intake. Plasma glucose peaked 3–4 h after feeding in fish fed the MAL and GLU diets, whereas in fish fed the PGS and DEX diets the peak was reached 5–6 h after feeding. Peak plasma glucose concentration (13 mmol/L) was higher in fish fed the GLU diet than the other diets (9 mmol/L). Shorter hyperglycemia duration was observed in fish fed the MALT and GLU diets (6 h) than the PGS and DEX diets (10 h). Complex carbohydrates delayed plasma glucose concentration peak compared with simple sugars, whereas the opposite was observed for hyperglycemia duration. Overall, dietary maltose, dextrin, and starch were apparently better utilized as energy source than glucose by European sea bass juveniles.     

Effect of dietary carbohydrate level on growth performance,body composition,apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia,Rachycentron canadum L

A 9‐week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition and apparent digestibility coefficient and digestive enzyme activities of juvenile cobia. Six isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets containing graded levels of starch (1.3%, 6.5%, 12.5%, 18.4%, 24.2% and 30.4%) were fed to juvenile cobia. Specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency ratio (FER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) increased with increasing dietary starch up to 18.4% (P<0.05), and thereafter SGR declined but FER and PER remained nearly the same. Apparent digestibility coefficient of starch reduced significantly when dietary starch up to 30.4%. Fish fed the diets with starch from 18.4% to 30.4% showed higher amylase activities in intestinal tract than those fed diets containing starch 1.3% and 6.5% (P<0.05). Significantly higher whole‐body lipid contents were observed in fish fed the diets containing higher starch. Whole‐body moisture content was inversely correlated with whole‐body lipid content, while protein and ash showed no significant differences. Plasma glucose, hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen and liver lipid increased with an increasing dietary starch. Based on SGR and FER, the appropriate dietary starch supplementations of juvenile cobia were estimated to be 21.1% and 18.0 % of diet respectively.     

Temperature and dietary starch level affected protein but not starch digestibility in gilthead sea bream juveniles

A study was carried out with gilthead sea bream juveniles to assess the effect of water temperature (18 and 25°C) and dietary pregelatinized starch level (10, 20 and 30%) on digestibility of protein and starch and on the activity of proteolytic and amylolytic enzymes. ADC of pregelatinized starch was very high (>99%) irrespectively of dietary inclusion level, and it was not affected by water temperature. ADC of protein was also high (>90%) but improved at the higher water temperature. Dietary starch interacted with protein digestibility, which decreased as dietary starch level increased. Temperature affected both acid and basic protease activities, with acid protease activity being higher at 25°C and basic protease activity being higher at 18°C. However, total proteolytic activity and amylase activities were not affected by water temperature. Dietary carbohydrate exerted no effect on proteolytic or amylolitic activities. It is concluded that gilthead sea bream juveniles digest pregelatinized starch very efficiently irrespective of water temperature, due to adjustments of amylase activity to cope with temperature differences. Pregelatinized starch interacts negatively with protein digestibility, with the ADC of protein decreasing as dietary starch levels increase.