Evaluation of lipid sources in diets fed to bull trout,Salvelinus confluentus

To aid in development of nutritionally complete diets, a 12‐week experiment was conducted to identify appropriate sources of dietary lipid for bull trout. The basal diet was top‐coated with marine fish oil (MFO) (pollock liver oil), canola oil (CO), linseed oil (LO) or a mixture of canola and linseed oils (CLO) to produce four treatments. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish initially averaging 1.6 g per fish. Weight gain, feed efficiency, survival and carcass proximate composition were not significantly different among fish fed the dietary treatments. However, whole‐body fatty acid percentages varied significantly among fish fed the four diets. Whole bodies of fish fed diets with vegetable oil (VO) contained significantly higher 18:2n‐6, 18:3n‐3 and total n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acid percentages and significantly lower 20:5n‐3, 22:6n‐3 and total saturated fatty acid percentages compared with fish fed the MFO diet. Whole‐body fatty acid percentages also varied among fish fed VO diets. Despite similar 18:2n‐6 and 20:4n‐6 percentages in the VO diets, fish fed diet CO contained significantly lower 18:2n‐6 proportions and significantly higher 20:4n‐6 proportions compared with fish fed other VO diets. Results of this study suggest dietary fish oil is not required for short‐term rearing of bull trout.     

Growth,antioxidant capacity,intestine histology and lipid metabolism of juvenile red claw crayfish,Cherax quadricarinatus,fed different lipid sources

Five dietary lipid sources (fish oil, soybean oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil and linseed oil) were evaluated in juvenile red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, based on the response of growth, antioxidant capacity, intestine histology, whole‐body composition, fatty acid nutrition and lipid metabolism. Crayfish were fed in quadruplicate net cages for 8 weeks. Crayfish fed diets with fish oil, soybean oil and linseed oil obtained significantly higher weight gain and specific growth rate than those fed the other two diets. Survival, condition factor and hepatosomatic index were not significantly affected by lipid sources. Lipid sources also do not affect the whole‐body composition of crayfish. Serum SOD, T‐AOC and GSH‐PX activities of crayfish fed the palm oil and rapeseed oil diets had a significantly lower value than those fed other diets. The minimum concentrations of MDA have been observed in crayfish fed the soybean oil diet. The activity of ACC in the hepatopancreas of crayfish fed the linseed oil diet showed the highest value, and the CPT‐1 activity was not significantly affected by different lipid sources. Crayfish fed the soybean oil diet showed significantly higher TC and TG contents in hepatopancreas than those fed other diets. Crayfish fed linseed oil diet had a significantly higher percentage of EPA, C18:3n?3 and Σn?3 PUFA in muscle than those fed other treatments. Most of the fatty acid compositions in the hepatopancreas had a close correlation to fatty acid compositions in diets. All findings in this study indicate that soybean oil is the advantageous lipid source for juvenile C. quadricarinatus which can reflect in satisfactory growth performance, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid nutrition of edible tissues.     

Dietary lipid sources for seabream and seabass: growth performance, tissue composition and flesh quality

Due to its traditionally good availability, digestibility and high content of n ? 3 HUFA, fish oil is the main lipid source in fish feeds. However, world demand for this product has grown significantly in recent years, whereas its production, based on fisheries landings, is static. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of partial replacement of fish oil in compound diets for gilthead seabream and seabass, by several vegetable oil sources, on growth, dietary fatty acid utilization and flesh quality. Five iso‐energetic and isoproteic experimental diets were formulated (25% lipid content). Fish oil was the only added lipid source in the control (FO) diet, and it was included in the other experimental diets at a level high enough (40% of FO diet) to keep the n ? 3 HUFA levels well over 3% in order to cover the essential fatty acid requirements of these species. Fish oil was replaced by soyabean oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO) and linseed oil (LO) or a mixture (Mix) of them. Feed intake in all dietary groups was in the range of results obtained for commercial diets in both species, and growth and feed utilization were very good. The results show that, providing a minimum content of essential fatty acids in the diet, it is possible to replace up to 60% of the fish oil by SO, LO and RO or a mixture of them in diets for seabream and seabass, without compromising fish growth. Fatty acid composition of liver and muscle reflected that of the diet, but utilization of dietary lipids differed between these two tissues and was also different for the different fatty acids. Despite reduction in dietary saturated fatty acids by the inclusion of vegetable oils, their levels in fish liver were as high as in fish fed the fish oil diet, whereas, in muscle, levels were reduced according to that in the diet. Linoleic and linolenic acids were accumulated in the liver proportionally to their levels in the diet, suggesting a lower oxidation of these fatty acids in comparison to other 18C fatty acids. Regarding eicosapentaenoic acid (20 : 5n ? 3; EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (22 : 6n ? 3; DHA) and arachidonic acid (20 : 4n ? 6; ARA), these essential fatty acids were reduced in the liver at a similar rate, whereas DHA was preferentially retained in the muscle in comparison with the other fatty acids, denoting a higher oxidation particularly of EPA, in the muscle. Some other PUFA increased despite their low dietary levels in seabream fed LO diets and in seabass fed SO diet, suggesting the stimulation of delta‐6 and delta‐5 desaturase activity in marine fish. Despite differences in fatty acid composition, fillet of fish fed vegetable oils was very well accepted by trained judges when assessed cooked.     

Effects of dietary fish oil replacement by various vegetable oils on growth performance,body composition and fatty acid profile of juvenile Malaysian mahseer,Tor tambroides

The current study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing dietary fish oil with different vegetable oil sources and ratios on the growth performance and tissue fatty acid profiles of juvenile Tor tambroides. Three different vegetable oils (sunflower oil, linseed oil and palm oil) were used in two different substitution ratios (50% and 100%). A diet without replacement (100% fish oil) was used as a control. Triplicate groups of T. tambroides juveniles (5.0 ± 0.4 g) were fed the test diets for 9 weeks. The highest weight gain was observed in fish fed palm oil diets that, of course, were reared in aquaria. There was a significant effect (P < 0.05) of the percentage of fish oil replacement on the liver weight after controlling for the effect of fish weight (P < 0.05). The viscera weight significantly increased (P < 0.05) in fish on vegetable oil diets, and its highest amount observed among fish fed palm oil diets. Vegetable oil inclusion significantly reduced eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) concentrations in both muscle and liver of fish except for fish on 50% palm oil diet that had similar liver DHA content with those on control diet.     

Growth and immune response of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) fed diets containing different lipid sources

A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lipid sources on the growth and immune responses of Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. Six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with fish oil (FO), linseed oil (LO), soybean oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO), coconut oil (CO) and beef tallow (BT) as the sources of lipid with five replicates each. Thirty crabs (2.35 ± 0.14 g) were stocked into each tank and fed twice daily. Weight gain and specific growth rate of crab fed the FO diet were significantly lower than those fed other diets (P < 0.05), except for crabs fed LO diet (P < 0.05). Crab fed the SO diet weighed more than those fed FO diets (P < 0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde of crab fed the FO diet were significantly higher than in other groups (P < 0.05). Crab fed the FO diet had the highest activities of serum phenoloxidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme (P < 0.05). The fatty acid composition in the liver of crab reflected the change in test diets. Our results indicate that the use of dietary vegetable or animal oils can achieve similar growth performance to the use of dietary FO in Chinese mitten crab, but non‐FOs may impair crab immunity. Soybean oil is recommended as a suitable replacer for FO in Chinese mitten crab diet.     

Complete replacement of dietary fish oil with a vegetable oil blend affect liver lipid and plasma lipoprotein levels in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

To study how hepatic lipid turnover and lipid transport may be affected by complete replacement of dietary fish oil (FO) with a vegetable oil blend (VO) from start feeding until the adult stages, Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) were fed either 100% FO‐ or 100% VO‐based diets (55% rapeseed oil, 30% palm oil and 15% linseed oil) from start feeding until 22 months. Liver and plasma lipoprotein lipid class levels and lipoprotein fatty acid composition were analysed through the seawater phase, whereas liver fatty acid composition, plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG) and protein levels were analysed through both freshwater and seawater stages. Further, enzyme activity of liver fatty acid synthetase (FAS), NADH‐isocitrate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and 6‐phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and expression of the gene Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was analysed during both fresh water and seawater stages through the experiment. Dietary VO significantly increased salmon liver TAG and hence total liver lipid stores after 14 and 22 months of feeding. Further, after 22 months of feeding, plasma lipid levels and plasma low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly decreased in VO‐fed salmon compared with FO‐fed fish. The same trend, although not statistically significant, was seen for plasma very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL). The activity of FAS was generally low throughout the experiment with the VO group having significantly lower activity after 16 months of feeding. The expression of PPARγ in livers increased prior to seawater transfer followed by a decrease, and then another increase towards the final sampling (22 months). Dietary vegetable oil replacement had no impact on PPARγ expression in salmon liver. In summary, liver TAG stores, plasma lipid and LDL levels were affected by dietary vegetable oil replacement in Atlantic salmon during a long–term feeding experiment. Current results indicate that high dietary vegetable oil inclusion increase hepatic TAG stores and decrease plasma lipid levels possible through decreased VLDL synthesis.     

Effects of different dietary lipid sources in the diet for Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) juvenile on growth performance,nutrient utilization,body indices and muscle and liver fatty acid composition

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 lipid sources each at inclusion level of 120 g kg^?1 and fed to triplicate groups of 15 juvenile iridescent shark, Pangasius hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) (mean weight 10.00 ± 0.70 g) to apparent satiation twice daily for 12 weeks. The results showed that survival of fish was consistently over 95% for all treatments whereas growth performance in the SBO and CPO treatments was similar and significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for fish fed the LO diet. However, fish fed all vegetable oil‐based diets performed better than those fed the FO diet. Muscle and liver fatty acid composition for all treatments generally reflected the composition in the diet and the ratio of n‐3/n‐6 was found to play an important role in P. hypophthalmus, suggesting that excessive amounts of n‐3 fatty acids reduce the overall growth performance. Results of this study thus suggests that P. hypophthalmus fed diets containing vegetable oils (especially CPO and SBO) produce better growth than those fed FO diet without showing any signs of nutrient deficiency.     

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.     

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.     

Histological alterations in the liver of sea bream, Sparus aurata L., caused by short- or long-term feeding with vegetable oils. Recovery of normal morphology after feeding fish oil as the sole lipid source

This study evaluated the effects of fish oil (FO) replacement by vegetable oils [soybean oil (SO), rapeseed oil (RO), linseed oil (LO)] and subsequent feeding with FO on the liver morphology of sea bream. A short-term trial (3 months) and long-term trial (6 months) were carried out feeding sea bream with the following experimental diets: FO100%; SO60% + FO40%; RO60% +FO40%; LO60% + FO40%; SO + RO +LO60% + FO40%. Finally, all groups from the long-term trial were fed with FO100% for 95 days (washout period). Liver samples were taken for histological and biochemical studies. In both the short- and long-term trials, livers of sea bream fed LO60% and SO + RO + LO60% showed a similar hepatic morphology to that observed in fish fed FO100%. In contrast, sea bream fed SO60% showed an intense steatosis, with foci of swollen hepatocytes containing numerous lipid vacuoles. After the washout period, a considerable reduction of the cytoplasmic vacuolation and the lipid vacuole accumulation were observed in the livers of fish fed the different experimental diets. The results of this study suggested that the type of non-essential fatty acid, characteristic of vegetable oils, induces the appearance of steatosis in the following order: linoleic acid > linolenic acid > oleic acid. However, the liver alterations found during the experimental periods with vegetable oils are reversible when the fish are re-fed with a balanced diet (FO100%), indicating the non-pathological character of these histological changes.