太湖微囊藻毒素在罗非鱼体内累积及生物降解的初步研究

为了解蓝藻水华期间微囊藻毒素在罗非鱼体内的分布及累积传递过程,2008年6～8月采集了高密度蓝藻池塘及太湖网箱内的鱼样及水样,用ELISA法对鱼样和水样进行微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量的检测.结果表明,池塘水体微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量在0.123～0.514 μg/L,MC-LR含量随着藻密度的下降而降低,对照组水体MC-LR浓度显著高于实验组MC-LR含量.池塘鱼体肌肉组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR累积含量在1.194～3.615ng/g,肝脏组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR累积含量显著高于肌肉组织.将池塘与网箱罗非鱼转至无微囊藻水体中暂养,跟踪检测MC-LR含量变化,池塘和网箱鱼体肌肉组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量均低于人体每日可耐受摄入量,而肝脏组织藻毒素MC-LR含量则分别需要经过10～20d自然生物降解后降低至安全摄入量之下.讨论了微囊藻毒素在鱼体组织分布与食物链中的累积传递.     

太湖微囊藻毒素在罗非鱼体内的累积及生物降解的初步研究

为了解蓝藻水华期间微囊藻毒素在罗非鱼体内的分布及累积传递过程，2008年6月至8月采集了高密度蓝藻池塘及太湖网箱内的鱼样及水样，用ELISA法对鱼样和水样进行微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量的检测。结果表明：池塘水体微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量变化范围在0.123～0.514ug/L间，MC-LR含量随着藻密度的下降而降低，对照组水体MC-LR浓度显著高于实验组MC-LR含量。池塘鱼体肌肉组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR累积含量在1.194～3.615ng/g间，肝脏组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR累积含量显著高于肌肉组织。将池塘与网箱罗非鱼转至无微囊藻水体中暂养，跟踪检测MC-LR含量变化，池塘和网箱鱼体肌肉组织微囊藻毒素MC-LR含量均低于人体每日可耐受摄入量，而肝脏组织藻毒素MC-LR含量则分别需要经过10～20天自然生物降解后降低至安全摄入量之下。并讨论了微囊藻毒素在鱼体内的组织分布与食物链中的累积传递。     

凡纳滨对虾养殖水中藻毒素和环境因子间的相关性

调查了凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘水体中微囊藻毒素的含量及其与环境因子间的关系,为凡纳滨对虾健康养殖提供理论依据.本实验室采用固相萃取(SPE)和高效液相色谱(HPLC)测定其微囊藻毒素MC-LR的含量;研究了MC-LR浓度与氨氮(NH3-N)、总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和水温等环境因子间的关系.结果发现其水样检测出微囊藻毒素MC-LR的最高浓度为23.15μg/L,氨氮、TN、TP与MC-LR均呈显著性正相关,氨氮、TN、TP、MC-LR与水温均呈显著性负相关.该实验结果验证了在发病的凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘中检出微囊藻毒素MC-LR的现象,初步推论凡纳滨对虾养殖池塘中微囊藻毒素MC-LR的含量与相关环境因子有关.     

尼罗与奥利亚罗非鱼对池塘蓝藻水华及水质影响的研究

利用尼罗罗非鱼和奥利亚罗非鱼进行了池塘抑藻试验，采用血球计数板测定水体中的微囊藻密度，并对水体理化性质进行了检测分析。试验结果表明，罗非鱼能有效消减水体中蓝藻生物量，降低水体藻毒素浓度，并对水体TN、TP产生一定影响。其中奥利亚罗非鱼试验组蓝藻初始密度为1．53-108cells／L，下降至0．86-108eells／L，降低43．79％；尼罗罗非鱼组蓝藻初始密度为1．54-108cells／L，下降至O．51×108cells，L，降低66．88％。水体总磷含量无显著变化，总氮含量有所下降，水体微囊藻毒素MC—LR含量随着蓝藻密度的下降而降低，并讨论了尼罗与奥利亚罗非鱼摄食抑制蓝藻的摄食抑制及其对水质的影响。     

南太湖地区一典型青虾养殖池塘中微囊藻毒素浓度与环境因子间的相关性

采用固相萃取(SPE)和高效液相色谱-串联质谱法(HPLC/MS-MS)对湖州某淡水青虾养殖池塘水体中溶解态微囊藻毒素(MC-LR,MC-RR)浓度进行了监测,研究了微囊藻毒素浓度变化及其与总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)、氨氮(NH3-N)、水温、叶绿素a(Chl-a)等水体环境因子之间的关系。结果显示:养殖水体藻毒素浓度在监测期间波动明显,游离的MC-LR的最高浓度达到了102.3 mg/L,MC-RR的最高值为32.6 mg/L,MCLR的浓度要高于相应时段的MC-RR。MC-LR和MC-RR的浓度变化呈显著性正相关。在整个监测周期内TN、TP与MC-LR均呈显著性正相关,NH3-N、TN与水温均呈显著性负相关,TP与MC-RR呈显著性正相关,Chl-a与TP、MCs呈显著性正相关。     

微囊藻毒素在鲤体内富集的初步研究

为了解微囊藻毒素MC-LR在鲤各组织器官中的生物富集作用,采用腹腔注射法将MC-LR纯品稀释液(0.215μg/g)注射到鲤体内,酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测0、1、3、12、24和48 h时肾脏、肝脏、肌肉、胆囊、空肠和卵巢中MC-LR含量分布和积累规律.结果显示,MC-LR在肾脏含量最高,均值为(1.007±0.120)μg/g(各器官均按干重计),其次是肝脏(0.490±0.060)μg/g、胆囊(0.355 ±0.011) μg/g、空肠(0.210±0.005)μg/g、卵巢(0.082±0.021)μg/g和肌肉(0.047±0.003) μg/g.鲤不同组织器官对MC-LR的富集能力存在较大差异,肾脏是MC-LR的主要靶器官,卵巢中也存在少量MC-LR富集,肌肉对MC-LR的生物富集量远低于其他组织器官.试验48 h时,鲤体内各组织器官中和鱼缸水中MC-LR含量均有一定程度的下降,表明鲤体内对MC-LR有较强的解毒机制.     

K6Nb10.8O30对微囊藻毒素的光催化降解研究

通过合成含铌类复合氧化物光催化剂,开展其光催化降解藻毒素试验,研究其光催化降解微囊藻毒素的降解效率和机理,为去除水体中微囊藻毒素提供高效环保的水处理技术。采用溶胶凝胶法制备了铌酸盐光催化剂K6Nb10.8O30,利用X射线衍射、扫面电镜、紫外可见漫反射光谱等对光催化剂进行了结构表征,该化合物结构是属于四方相钨青铜结构,空间群为P4/mbm（127）,晶粒呈长方柱性,直径约为150nm,长度约400～600nm,吸收能带为2.92eV;在紫外光（UVA）辐照条件下,考察了催化剂对微囊藻毒素（MC-LR）的光催化降解效果,利用高效液相色谱测定水体中微囊藻毒素浓度。结果表明,光催化剂K6Nb10.8O30能够有效的降解藻毒素,降解过程受到pH值、藻毒素的初始浓度、催化剂投加量和光照的影响;在光辐射强度为556μW/cm2、pH4.24、催化剂投加量为0.375g/L的试验条件下,初始浓度3mg/L的藻毒素在180min之内降解率达到93%;对催化剂反应前后的红外光谱分析表明,藻毒素的降解最终不是被催化剂吸附,而是被光催化降解;动力学研究表明,微囊藻毒素的光催化剂降解反应符合一级反应动力学规律,随着微囊藻毒素初始浓度的增大,反应速率常数逐步降低,半衰期也逐渐变长。     

金鱼藻和狐尾藻对铜绿微囊藻生长及藻毒素释放的影响

通过加入金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum)、狐尾藻(Myriophyllum)与铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)共同培养的实验方式,测定其过程中藻密度、总氮和总磷、藻毒素含量的变化,研究金鱼藻、狐尾藻对微囊藻生长及藻毒素释放的影响。结果表明,金鱼藻、狐尾藻不仅能很好地抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长,吸收水中的氮磷元素,还能在一定程度上抑制微囊藻毒素的释放。其中狐尾藻对铜绿微囊藻密度的抑制率能高达91.19%,对氮和磷的吸附率分别为66.84%和53.75%,对藻毒素MC-LR的抑制率达到44.23%。     

金鱼藻和狐尾藻对铜绿微囊藻生长及藻毒素释放的影响

通过加入金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum)、狐尾藻(Myriophyllum)与铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)共同培养的实验方式,测定其过程中藻密度、总氮和总磷、藻毒素含量的变化,研究金鱼藻、狐尾藻对微囊藻生长及藻毒素释放的影响.结果表明,金鱼藻、狐尾藻不仅能很好地抑制铜绿微囊藻的生长,吸收水中的氮磷元素,还能在一定程度上抑制微囊藻毒素的释放.其中狐尾藻对铜绿微囊藻密度的抑制率能高达91.19%,对氮和磷的吸附率分别为66.84%和53.75%,对藻毒素MC-LR的抑制率达到44.23%.     

武汉官桥湖蓝藻毒素BMAA的生物累积与健康风险评估

鉴于蓝藻"水华"能产生新型神经毒素-β-N-甲氨基-L-丙氨酸(β-N-methylamino-L-alanine,BMAA),并通过生物富集作用在水生态系统的各营养级进行传递;选取武汉东湖子湖—官桥湖,采用HPLC-MS/MS分析方法,在蓝藻水华暴发期间,测定湖水、蓝藻及鱼体内游离态和蛋白结合态BMAA毒素的含量。结果表明,在水体中未检测到溶解态BMAA(在检测限0.05μg/L以下),但在微囊藻细胞及鱼体内(干重)均能检测到,含量均值分别为(0.040±0.002)μg/g和(0.32±0.317)μg/g,说明官桥湖在暴发水华后,蓝藻产生了BMAA毒素且被鱼类吸收和放大;不同鱼体(干重)累积BMAA的程度不同,总BMAA含量(干重)分别为鳑鲏(0.243±0.205)μg/g,鲫(0.126±0.040)μg/g,鲤(0.613±0.120)μg/g,鲢(0.028±0.018)μg/g,鳙(0.039±0.021)μg/g,鳊(0.879±0.243)μg/g;鲤和鳊的富集浓度较高,且与其它几种鱼有显著性差异(P0.05)。按照WHO生活饮用水安全标准的建议进行推算,官桥湖鱼肉EDI值(估算的每天摄入量)为1.015μg/(kg·d),显著低于估算出的TDI值(日容许摄入量)0.5mg/(kg·d),基本不会对人造成急性中毒,但由于BMAA毒素为慢性毒素,不能忽视经常食用鱼肉后的累积风险。建议有关部门将东湖水产品的BMAA毒素纳入长期监测。     

Association between the interannual variation in the oceanic environment and catch rates of bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) in the Atlantic Ocean

The environmental processes associated with variability in the catch rates of bigeye tuna in the Atlantic Ocean are largely unexplored. This study used generalized additive models (GAMs) fitted to Taiwanese longline fishery data from 1990 to 2009 and investigated the association between environmental variables and catch rates to identify the processes influencing bigeye tuna distribution in the Atlantic Ocean. The present findings reveal that the year (temporal factor), latitude and longitude (spatial factors), and major regular longline target species of albacore catches are significant for the standardization of bigeye tuna catch rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The standardized catch rates and distribution of bigeye tuna were found to be related to environmental and climatic variation. The model selection processes showed that the selected GAMs explained 70% of the cumulative deviance in the entire Atlantic Ocean. Regarding environmental factors, the depth of the 20 degree isotherm (D20) substantially contributed to the explained deviance; other important factors were sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height deviation (SSHD). The potential fishing grounds were observed with SSTs of 22–28°C, a D20 shallower than 150 m and negative SSHDs in the Atlantic Ocean. The higher predicted catch rates were increased in the positive northern tropical Atlantic and negative North Atlantic Oscillation events with a higher SST and shallow D20, suggesting that climatic oscillations affect the population abundance and distribution of bigeye tuna.     

Growth performance,digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass,Lateolabrax japonicus fed with fructooligosaccharide

In this experiment, a feeding trial was performed to determine the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on growth performance, digestive enzyme activity and immune response of Japanese sea bass, Lateolabrax japonicus juveniles (initial weight 38.3 ± 0.5 g), and the fish were examined following feeding with six levels of FOS (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 g/kg) for 28 days. Significant enhancement of weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) was found in fish fed 1 g/kg FOS incorporated diets (p < .05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the 1, 2 g/kg FOS groups reduced significantly compared with the control (p < .05). Besides, the crude lipid in the 4, 6 g/kg FOS groups increased significantly compared with the control (p < .05). On the other hand, the erepsin and lipase activities significantly elevated in intestine of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS (p < .05) and the lysozyme activity in serum of fish fed 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than that in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the alkaline phosphatase activities in serum of fish fed 0.5, 1, 2 g/kg FOS were significantly higher than in control (p < .05). Regression analysis showed that the relationships between dietary FOS levels and either SGR, FCR, erepsin or lysozyme activities were best expressed by regression equations, and the optimal inclusion levels are 1.37, 1.80, 3.06, 3.11, 1.93 and 1.80 g/kg for SGR, FCR, erepsin, lipase, lysozyme and total superoxide dismutase activities, respectively. Overall, this study revealed that FOS incorporated diets could beneficial for L. japonicus culture in terms of increasing the growth, digestion and immune activities. Under the present experimental condition, the optimal supplementary level of FOS in the diet of L. japonicus is 1–3 g/kg.     

Involvement of gonadal steroids in final oocyte maturation of white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops): in vivo and in vitro studies

Plasma estradiol-17 (E₂), testosterone (T), 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (DHP) and 17,20,21-tri-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (20-S) levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in white perch (Morone americana) and white bass (M. chrysops) that were induced to undergo final oocyte maturation (FOM) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Plasma DHP levels increased in females of both species in association with oocyte germinal vesicle migration (GVM) and germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and decreased thereafter. Plasma 20-S levels also increased with oocyte GVM in white bass, but were several-fold lower than DHP levels. Circulating E₂ and T levels were greatest during GVM and GVBD in both species and decreased to low levels during oocyte hydration and ovulation. Follicles from white perch and white bass which received a priming injection of hCG in vivo, produced both DHP and 20-S in vitro after exposure to hCG and their oocytes underwent GVBD. Ovarian incubates from unprimed fish of either species produced only E₂ and T and their oocytes did not complete GVBD. Oocytes from unprimed bass, but not perch, matured when follicles were exposed to hCG in vitro. Both trilostane and cycloheximide blocked in vitro production of DHP and 20-S and oocyte GVBD by white perch follices. DHP and 20-S were equipotent inducers of FOM in the GVBD bioassay. None of several other structurally-related steroids tested were effective within a physiological range of concentrations. These results indicate a role for DHP and 20-S in the control of FOM in white perch and white bass.     

Cardiac,ventilatory and metabolic responses of two ecologically dissimilar species of fish to waterborne cyanide

Changes in heart rate, ventilatory activity and oxygen consumption were determined in trout (Salmo gairdneri) and brown bullhead catfish (Ictalurus nebulosus) during exposure to a steadily increasing concentration of waterborne cyanide selected to produce death in 8–9 hours for each species. The lethal cyanide concentration for the bullheads was an order of magnitude higher than for trout. Trout developed an immediate and gradually increasing bradycardia throughout the exposure period. Cyanide produced tachycardia in the bullhead followed by a gradual onset of bradycardia as the concentration of cyanide was raised. Pericardial injection of atropine (a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist) indicated that bradycardia in the trout was due initially to increased vagal tone but later due to the direct effect of cyanide on the heart. Hyperventilation in the trout persisted throughout the exposure period, although the rate and amplitude fluctuated and was variable between individual fish. During the last hour of exposure (highest cyanide concentration), ventilation was characterized by rapid, shallow breaths followed by a sudden respiratory arrest. The bullheads exhibited hyperventilation during the first 3 hours of exposure followed by a gradual, linear drop in ventilation rate and amplitude until death occurred. Cardiac and ventilatory responses in both species were attributed to stimulation of central and peripheral chemoreceptors by cyanide. Evidence is presented which suggests the initial response in the bullheads was due, at least in part, to gustatory stimulation by the cyanide. Oxygen consumption of the trout remained above pre-exposure levels for the majority of the test period. Oxygen consumption in the bullhead paralleled the changes in heart and ventilatory rates. Whole-body lactate levels of fingerlings of both species during cyanide exposure were measured to estimate the extent of anaerobiosis. Whole-body lactate levels were much greater in the bullheads than the trout, indicating a higher capacity for anaerobiosis, possibly due to a greater fuel supply. Overall, the trout responded to cyanide in a manner similar to that produced by environmental hypoxia whereas the bullheads experienced a gustatory stimulus which masked the hypoxia-like response.     

An overview of stress physiology of fish transport: changes in water quality as a function of transport duration

This study brings an integrated analysis about the relationship between water deterioration and its physiological consequences in live fish transport. The analysis was focused on the transport water and its deterioration, and physiological challenges imposed on the fish. Usual commercial handling procedures employed to mitigate fish stress during transport were discussed. Future topics of research for the establishment of safer fish transport protocols were proposed. Transport was classified into short (≤8 h) or long transport (>8 h). The main issue in short transports should be the prevention of water pH reduction, while in long transports it is the increase in ammonia. Plasma cortisol is the most employed marker for stress and is acutely elevated upon short episodes of transport, but remains elevated even in long‐transport events. Plasma glucose is perhaps a better marker for handling stress. Plasma lactate, pH, osmolality CO₂ and ions should be more often evaluated. Plasma Na⁺ and Cl^‐ are very useful markers of acidosis, due to their respective exchange for H⁺ and , for acid–base regulation. The establishment of species‐specific transport protocols should be preceded by such combined analyses of water and physiological parameters.     

Are hatchery‐reared abalone naïve of predators? Comparing the behaviours of wild and hatchery‐reared northern abalone,Haliotis kamtschatkana (Jonas, 1845)

Abalone populations have declined worldwide, generating interest in enhancement using hatchery‐reared individuals. In many cases, such restoration efforts have met with limited success due to high predator‐induced mortality rates. Furthermore, the mortality rates of outplanted hatchery abalone are often considerably higher than for wild individuals. This study uses northern abalone (Haliotis kamtschatkana) as a case study to determine whether hatchery‐reared abalone behave differently than their wild counterparts. In the field, outplanted hatchery‐reared abalone were significantly less responsive than wild abalone, in terms of number of abalone responding and intensity of response, to nearby movement and to physical contact with an inert probe. Also, when encountering a cue to which all abalone responded (a seastar predator), hatchery‐reared individuals remained subdued. Anti‐predator behavioural deficits in hatchery‐reared abalone were more pronounced in 4‐year‐old individuals than in 1‐year‐old individuals, suggesting an influence of either age or amount of time spent in the hatchery environment. These behavioural differences are expected to increase the vulnerability of hatchery‐reared abalone to predators, and are likely a major cause of their elevated predator‐induced mortality when outplanted.     

Effects of cadmium on the kinetics of calcium uptake in developing tilapia larvae, Oreochromis mossambicus

The toxic effects of Cd²⁺ on Ca²⁺ influx kinetics in developing tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) larvae were evaluated. Addition of 20 µg l^-1 of Cd²⁺ to the environment of 0 and 3 day-old larvae competitively inhibited the Ca²⁺ uptake within 4h resulting in a great increase in K_m values for Ca²⁺ influx (19.3 and 17.4 fold, respectively) as compared with their respective controls. Consequently, the actual Ca²⁺ influx of larvae in solutions of 0.2 mM Ca²⁺ are suppressed by 32–45%. Also, 3 day-old larvae were more sensitive to internally accumulated Cd²⁺ than 0 day-old larvae. Although the Ca²⁺ influx in 0 and 3 day-old larvae may be restored to the levels of their respective controls with 24h of being transferred to a 20 µg l^-1 Cd²⁺ solution, total body Ca²⁺ content was significantly reduced in 3 day-old larvae. Increased Ca²⁺ uptake efficiency ensures sufficient Ca²⁺ for normal growth. However, rapid increase in Ca²⁺ influx after hatching also leads to higher Cd²⁺ uptake. Exposure to Cd²⁺ will lead to a drop in body Ca²⁺ content resulting in retardation of larval growth. Therefore, we conclude that if Ca²⁺ uptake is interfered with at this critical stage of development, larvae will not be able to maintain normal levels of body Ca²⁺ and will show signs of Cd²⁺ poisoning.     

Migratory dynamics of stream-spawning longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus)

Abstract– Literature evidence suggests that lake-dwelling longnose gar (Lepisosteus osseus) enter tributary streams to spawn, Until the present study, the dynamics of this breeding migration had never been investigated quantitatively. During the summers of 1991 and 1992, longnose gar were captured as they entered Weaubleau Creek, Missouri, a tributary of Harry S. Truman Reservoir. The in-stream spawning migration began in early April and ended in late May, and was positively correlated with stream flow and water level, and negatively correlated with water temperature. In-stream residence times ranged from 15 to 94 days, with males exhibiting longer residence times than females. Once in-stream, longnose gar travelled as far as 10 km upstream and occupied certain pools at greater relative frequencies. Although the reason for this preferential utilization is not completely understood, it may relate to pool depth and riffle proximity. Longnose gar disperse from the spawning stream great distances, with gar captured in Weaubleau Creek being recaptured up to 48 km away. This information should provide fisheries biologists the means to consider the reproductive ecology of this species in their conservation and management decisions.     

Nutritional regulation of hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation and polyunsaturated fatty acid composition in zebrafish (Danio rerio) and tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The desaturation and elongation of [1-¹⁴C]18:3n-3 was investigated in hepatocytes of the tropical warm freshwater species, zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). The hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pathway was assayed before and after the fish were fed two experimental diets, a control diet containing fish oil (FO) and a diet containing vegetable oil (VO; a blend of olive, linseed and high oleic acid sunflower oils) for 10 weeks. The VO diet was formulated to provide 1% each of 18:2n-6 and 18:3n-3, and so satisfy the possible EFA requirements of zebrafish and tilapia. At the end of the dietary trial, the lipid and fatty acid composition was determined in whole zebrafish, and liver, white muscle and brain of tilapia. Both zebrafish and tilapia expressed a hepatocyte fatty acid desaturation/elongation pattern consistent with them being freshwater and planktonivorous fish. The data also showed that hepatic fatty acid desaturation/elongation was nutritionally regulated with the activities being higher in fish fed the VO diet compared to fish fed the FO diet. In zebrafish, the main effect of the VO diet was increased fatty acid Δ6 desaturase activity resulting in the production of significantly more 18:4n-3 compared to fish fed the FO diet. In tilapia, all activities in the pathway were greater in fish fed the VO diet resulting in increased amounts of all fatty acids in the pathway, but primarily eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3). However, the fatty acid compositional data indicated that despite increased activity, desaturation of 18:3n-3 was insufficient to maintain tissue proportions of EPA and DHA in fish fed the VO diet at the same level as in fish fed the FO diet. Practically, these results indicate that manipulation of tilapia diets in commercial culture in response to the declining global fish oil market would have important consequences for fish fatty acid composition and the health of consumers. Scientifically, zebrafish and tilapia, both the subject of active genome mapping projects, could be useful models for studies of lipid and fatty acid metabolism at a molecular biological and genetic level. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protein and amino acid composition from the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris exposed to prolonged starvation

Protein and amino acid composition of the mantle of juvenile O ctopus vulgaris (Cuvier, 1797) during fasting for 27 days were determined. Average protein content of octopus mantle was of 711.19 ± 46.80 g kg^?1 DW, and it decreased with increasing fasting days. The non‐essential amino acids content was higher (486.18 ± 11.08 g kg^?1 protein) than essential amino acids (425.82 ± 9.15 g kg^?1 protein) at the start of the experiment (unstarved animals). The results suggest that the amino acid profile of the mantle where the most abundant amino acids are Arg, His, Lys, Gly, Leu and Pro could indicate a prolonged fasting condition (>20 days) or poor nutrition of O . vulgaris. This study supports the idea of using mantle for metabolic needs of starved O . vulgaris suggesting that the degradation pathway of amino acids to pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates was favoured contrary to the degradation pathway of ketogenic amino acids. Special considerations should be taken concerning Thr, Ile, Ser, Ala, Asx (Asp, Asn), Glx (Glu, Gln) (because of their fast intake) and Lys and His (due to their stable contents) during a prolonged period of fasting.