Effect of dietary protein regime during the growing period on growth performance, feed utilization and whole-body chemical composition of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various dietary protein regimes on growth performance, feed utilization and whole-body chemical composition of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.). Twenty cages (1 m³ each) were randomly allocated to a four-replicate experiment to represent five treatments (T1–T5) where fish were randomly stocked at a rate of 50 fish (1.5–2.2 g) per cage. Fish in T1–T5 fed on a 45% crude protein (CP) diet for the first 4 weeks. In T1, T2 or T3 fish fed on 45%, 35% or 25% CP diets for the last 8 weeks respectively. In T4 fish fed 35% CP diet for the second 4 weeks followed by 25% CP diet for the last 4 weeks and in T5 fish fed 25% CP diet for the second 4 weeks followed by 35% CP diet for the last 4 weeks. Diets were offered to satiation and provided manually twice a day in the morning and in the afternoon, 6 days a week. The optimum fish growth and feed utilization were obtained at T1, T2 and T4. Protein efficient ratio and apparent protein utilization were lower at T1 and T2 than those of T3–T5. On the other hand, no significant changes in energy utilization were observed among the different treatments. There were no major changes in the carcass composition except in ash content, which was higher in T3 and T5 only. This study recommended that the dietary protein regime is an important management in tilapia culture, and the protein level could be reduced from 45% to 35% then to 25% on increasing the fish size.     

Effects of dietary protein to metabolizable energy ratios and total protein concentrations on the performance of yellow perch Perca flavescens

Juvenile yellow perch Perca flavescens were fed semipurified diets with varying protein to metabolizable energy ratios (PME, g protein MJ⁻¹ metabolizable energy) and nutrient densities in three experiments to determine recommended dietary protein and energy concentrations. Experiment 1 fish (18.6 g) were fed diets containing 450 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet and 14.5–18.8 MJ ME kg⁻¹ dry diet for 10 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 1 fish fed the different diets. Experiment 2 fish (21.9 g) were fed diets containing 15.7 MJ ME kg⁻¹ dry diet and 210–420 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet for 8 weeks. Fish fed the diet containing 340 g kg⁻¹ protein (diet PME = 22) exhibited the greatest weight gain. Experiment 3 fish (27.1 g) were fed diets with a PME of 22 and varying nutrient density (yielding 205–380 g crude protein kg⁻¹ dry diet) for 8 weeks. No differences were found in the growth of experiment 3 fish. Yellow perch fed the semipurified diets exhibited increased liver fat content, liver size and degree of liver discoloration compared with fish fed a commercial fish meal-based diet. Liver changes may have resulted from high dietary carbohydrate levels. We conclude that a protein level of 210–270 g kg⁻¹ dry diet is suitable for juvenile yellow perch provided that the dietary amino acid profile and carbohydrate content are appropriate for yellow perch.     

Effects of Dietary Fibre Concentrates on growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen)

This study was conducted to investigate the prebiotic effect of different Dietary Fibre Concentrates (DFC) (Mucilage =MG; Pectin = PN or β‐glucan + mannan = βg + M) on growth and somatic parameters, body composition and digestive enzyme activities of jundiá (Rhamdia quelen). After acclimation, fish (7.16 ± 0.06 g) were allocated into 24 tanks (30 fish per tank) and triplicate groups were fed with Control diet (0 g kg^?1 of DFC); diet supplemented with 5 g kg^?1 commercial prebiotic (CP) or diets supplemented with 5 or 10 g kg^?1 diet of MG; PN or βg + M. At the end of the trial (8 weeks), growth was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fish fed diets supplemented with DFCs and did not differ from animals supplemented with CP. The animals that were fed Control diet presented a body protein content higher compared to those supplemented with diets containing pectin or β‐glucan + mannan (P < 0.05). However, fish fed diets added with β‐glucan + mannan yielded a higher level of protein deposited in the whole body. The activity of digestive enzymes was lower in the group supplemented with Pectin. Results indicate that supplementation with DFCs in the diet had positive effects on the performance of jundiá and are prebiotic potential candidate.     

Replacement of fishmeal by soy protein concentrate with taurine supplementation in diets for golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus)

Two 7‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the capacity of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) to use soy protein concentrate (SPC) as a dietary fish meal substitute. In trial I, fish were fed with a control diet (C) containing 400 g kg^?1 fish meal and other four diets in which the fish meal in diet C was replaced by SPC at 20 (R20), 40 (R40), 60 (R60) and 80% (R80). In trial II, a 3 × 2 design was used, and 40 and 80% of the fish meal in diet C were replaced by SPC, with or without 5 g kg^?1 taurine supplementation (six diets, C + T, R40 + T, R80 + T, C, R40 and R80, were formulated). In trial I, no significant difference was found in the feed intake between feeding treatments. The weight gain and nitrogen retention efficiency (NRE) decreased, whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and phosphorus retention efficiency (PRE) increased, with decreasing dietary levels of fish meal. No significant differences were found in the weight gain, FCR and NRE between fish fed diets C and R20, whereas fish fed diets C and R20 had higher weight gain than those fed diets R40, R60 and R80. In trial II, no significant differences were found in the feed intake, weight gain, FCR, NRE and PRE between fish fed diets C + T and C. No significant differences were found in the feed intake, weight gain and NRE between fish fed diets R40 and R40 + T or between fish fed diets R80 and R80 + T. At the end of trial II, no significant differences were found in the condition factor, hepatosomatic index and body composition between fish fed diets C and C + T, or between fish diets R40 and R40 + T, or between fish fed diets R80 and R80 + T, except that fish fed diet R40 had lower body protein content than that of fish fed diet R40 + T. The present study reveals that taurine supplementation can elevate fish meal replacement level by SPC in the golden pompano diets. Fish meal can be reduced from 400 to 320 g kg^?1, if fish meal is substituted by SPC without taurine supplementation, and can be further reduced to 240 g kg^?1, if fish meal is substituted by SPC with 5 g kg^?1 taurine supplementation.     

Dietary vitamin E requirement of the red drum Sciaenops ocellatus

A 12-week feeding trial was conducted to establish the minimum dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile red drum by broken-line regression analysis. The semi-purified basal diet was supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 or 80 IU vitamin E kg⁻¹ as all-rac -α-tocopheryl acetate. Juvenile red drum were conditioned by feeding the basal diet for 8 weeks prior to the feeding trial to reduce whole-body vitamin E levels. Then, fish initially averaging 12.2 ± 0.4 g fish⁻¹ (mean ± SD) were fed the experimental diets at a rate approaching apparent satiation for 12 weeks. Weight gain and feed efficiency responses of fish fed diets were significantly ( P  < 0.01) altered by the level of vitamin E supplementation but not strictly in a dose-dependent manner. Vitamin E concentrations in liver and plasma also were significantly ( P  < 0.001) influenced by dietary vitamin E level. Plasma ascorbic acid in fish fed the basal diet tended ( P  = 0.066) to be lower than in fish fed diets containing the various levels of vitamin E. In addition, fish fed the basal diet showed edema in the heart, while fish fed all other diets were normal. Fish fed 60 or 80 IU all-rac -α-tocopheryl acetate kg⁻¹ diet had significantly higher respiratory burst of head kidney macrophages than fish fed all other diets, although dietary effects on hematocrit and neutrophil oxidative radical production were not significant. The minimum dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile red drum was established based on broken-line regression of liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances to be 31 mg all-rac -α-tocopheryl acetate kg⁻¹ diet.     

Effects of l-lysine supplementation of diets with different protein levels and sources on channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Abstract. Semipurified diets containing either 25% or 30% crude protein (CP) from soy isolate (soy) or 30% CP from casein and gelatin (casein) were supplemented with either of two levels of L-lysine HCI (0 or 0·5% of diet) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement and fed to fingerling channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), in aquaria for 8 weeks. Factorial analysis of variance indicated a significant ( P < 0·001) positive effect of lysine on weight gain, protein conversion efficiency (PCE) and feed efficiency. Fish fed the soy diet containing 25% CP showed increased weight gain of 24% with lysine supplementation while fish fed soy and casein diets containing 30% CP showed increases of 11 % and 3%, respectively. However, supplementing the 25% CP soy diet with 0–5% L-lysine HCI did not enhance growth performance to the level offish fed the unsupplemented 30% CP soy diet. Significant effects of dietary protein levels and sources on weight gain, PCE, feed efficiency, haematocrit, hepatosomatic index (HSI; % liver weight), intraperitoneal fat (IPF) ratio, dry matter of fillet and whole-body, as well as lipid and protein content of whole-body tissue, were also observed. Fish fed the casein diet containing 30% CP had the greatest weight gain, PCE, feed efficiency, haematocrit and whole-body protein values and lowest IPF ratio and whole-body lipid values compared with those of fish fed the soy diets. Supplemental lysine did not affect body condition indices or proximate composition of whole-body and fillet tissues of fish fed the different protein sources. Therefore, based on this study, dietary protein levels and sources significantly influenced performance characteristics of channel catfish and supplemental lysine was most beneficial at a reduced CP level.     

Response of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus, to Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels in Practical Diets

This study was conducted to find the optimum level of dietary protein and lipid that could produce the highest growth, best feed utilization, and body composition of African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (9.5–10.3 g). Nine diets (three protein levels × three lipid levels) containing 25, 30, or 35% crude protein (CP) with 6, 9, and 12% lipids were formulated. Fish were fed one of the tested diets at the rate of 5% of body weight for the first 8 wk and 3% for the rest of the study. Diets were offered 6 d a week, twice a day (900 and 1400 h) for 13 wk. Fish growth increased significantly with increasing either protein or lipid levels, and the maximum growth was obtained in fish fed diets containing 30% CP with 12% lipid or 35% CP with 9% lipid. The lowest fish growth was obtained at 25% CP with 6% lipid. The optimum feed intake, feed conversion ratio, energy utilization, protein efficiency ratio, and protein growth rate were also recognized in fish fed the above diets. No significant differences in moisture and ash contents in fish fed diets containing different protein and lipid levels were recorded. The protein and lipid contents in the fish body tended to increase with increasing protein and lipid levels in diets. However, the higher protein contents were obtained in fish fed diets containing 35% CP with 6 or 9% lipid, while the lowest ones were obtained at 25% CP with 6 or 9% lipid. The higher lipid contents were obtained at 30 or 35% CP with 12% lipid, while the lowest ones were obtained at 25 or 35% CP with 6% lipid. The present study indicates that the increase of dietary lipid level has a protein-sparing effect, and the diet containing 30% CP with 12% lipid would be suitable for the optimum growth and effective protein utilization of fingerling African catfish.     

Effects of dietary copper sources on growth,tissue copper accumulation and physiological responses of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) (Cuvier, 1828) fed semipurified or practical diets

An 8‐week trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of a chelated copper (Cu) with the inorganic Cu (CuSO₄), in the diet of Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus). Six diets were prepared based on two basal diets (semi‐purified or practical) at two Cu inclusion levels (0 and 4 mg kg^?1 from or chelated‐Cu), accordingly named as S0, SI4, SM4, P0, PI4 and PM4 respectively. Each diet was fed to quadruplicate groups of Japanese sea bass (initial weight: 65.0 ± 0.03 g) during the trial. Fish fed practical diets had higher feed intake, specific growth rate, protein efficiency rate (PER), liver Cu accumulation, liver Na⁺K⁺‐ATPase and plasma alkaline phosphatase, but lower hepatosomatic index than the groups fed semi‐purified diets (P < 0.05). Higher PER was exhibited by fish fed chelated‐Cu diets than that of fish fed CuSO₄ diets (P < 0.05). Although liver Cu accumulation was significantly higher in fish fed practical diets,, liver Cu content increased significantly with increasing dietary copper levels only in fish fed semipurified diets. Chelated‐Cu has higher efficiency than CuSO₄ when fed in practical diets. Poor growth performance of fish fed semipurified diets might induce underestimating the nutrient requirement of Japanese sea bass.     

Efficacy of taurine supplementation for preventing green liver syndrome and improving growth performance in yearling red sea bream Pagrus major fed low-fishmeal diet

ABSTRACT:   This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of taurine supplementation for preventing green liver syndrome and improving growth performance in red sea bream Pagrus major fed a low-fishmeal (FM) diet. Yearling red sea bream were fed for 34 weeks on low-FM diets either supplemented with taurine, or without taurine, and the tissue taurine and bile pigment concentrations were measured. Compared to the fish fed the FM diet, fish fed the low-FM diet without taurine supplementation resulted in inferior feed performances and higher incidence of green liver related to the morphological transformation of the erythrocytes. In these fish, the hepatopancreatic taurine concentration was significantly lower and hepatopancreatic biliverdin concentration was high compared to the fish fed the FM diet. These parameters were markedly improved by taurine supplementation of the low-FM diet and were similar in levels to the fish fed the FM diet. These results indicate that green liver appearance and inferior feed performances of red sea bream fed the low-FM diet without taurine supplementation were caused by dietary taurine deficiency, and indicate the requirement of taurine supplementation to low-FM diets for red sea bream.     

Replacement of Soybean Meal in Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Diets with Cottonseed Meal and Distiller's Dried Grains with Solubles

Two pond experiments were conducted to evaluate cottonseed meal (CSM), distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS), and supplemental lysine as replacements for soybean meal (SBM) in channel catfish diets. In Experiment 1, fish fed diets in which SBM was totally replaced with CSM gained similar weight as fish fed control diet, but fish fed CSM diet in Experiment 2 had 9.5% lower weight gain than fish fed control diet. In both experiments, feed conversion increased significantly for fish fed CSM diet. There were no consistent trends in body composition of fish fed CSM diet versus control diet. Fish fed the DDGS + SMB diet had higher (Experiment 1) or similar (Experiment 2) weight gain than fish fed control diet. Feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in both experiments for fish fed SBM + DDGS diet than that of fish fed control diet. Body fat tended to be higher in fish fed SBM + DDGS diet compared to fish fed control diet. It appears that about 50% of SBM can be replaced with CSM + lysine in catfish diets without negatively affecting fish performance. Further, DDGS can be used up to at least 30% when the diet is supplemented with lysine.