饲料中益生菌对凡纳滨对虾生长、肠道菌群及部分免疫指标的影响

以初体质量为(0.11±0.00)g的凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)为研究对象,在室外水泥池进行10周饲喂实验,研究饲料中添加单一益生菌和复合益生菌对凡纳滨对虾生长、消化酶、肠道和粪便菌群及部分免疫指标的影响.以基础饲料为对照组,在基础饲料中分别添加地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis)、枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)、虾乐333(复合益生菌)、地衣芽孢杆菌+枯草芽孢杆菌(1:1)、虾乐333+地衣芽孢杆菌+枯草芽孢杆菌(1:1:1)各1 g/kg,配制5种实验饲料.实验结果显示,复合益生菌饲喂组对虾的特定生长率显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而单一益生菌饲喂组与对照组差异不显著(P<0.05).饲料中添加益生菌能使凡纳滨对虾肠道蛋白酶和淀粉酶活力升高,其中复合益生菌饲喂组淀粉酶活力显著高于对照组(P<0.05).与对照组比,饲料中添加益生菌显著降低了肠道及粪便弧菌数(P<0.05),不同程度提高了凡纳滨对虾血清蛋白浓度、酚氧化酶活力、溶菌酶活力和总抗氧化力,其中添加复合益生菌能使血清蛋白浓度及溶菌酶活力较对照组显著提高(P<0.05).上述结果表明,与饲喂单一益生菌相比,复合益生菌对凡纳滨对虾的生长、免疫力具有更好的促进作用.     

中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×107 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示：(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P<0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P>0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P<0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P<0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

摄食不同饵料的大口黑鲈肠道菌群分析

为了探究投喂冰鲜杂鱼和人工配合饲料对大口黑鲈肠道菌群的影响,本研究采用变性梯度凝胶电泳技术(PCR-DGGE)对摄食不同饵料的2组鲈鱼肠道内容物的细菌群落结构进行了比较分析.结果显示,冰鲜组与饲料组的大口黑鲈肠道菌群组成相似性较低(相似性24％),且冰鲜组肠道菌群多样性高于饲料组.对2组大口黑鲈中共有条带和特异性条带进一步测序分析显示,2组大口黑鲈肠道共有菌有红螺菌、梭菌、保科爱德华菌、嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌和蓝细菌.冰鲜组大口黑鲈肠道中的特异性菌归属为拟杆菌、肉食杆菌、魏斯氏菌和邻单胞菌;饲料组大口黑鲈肠道中的特异性菌归属为黄杆菌、鲸杆菌、柠檬明串珠菌、缺陷短波单胞菌.研究表明,与投喂冰鲜杂鱼的大口黑鲈相比,人工配合饲料降低了大口黑鲈肠道菌群多样性,也抑制了拟杆菌等有益菌在大口黑鲈肠道内的分布.推测饲料组大口黑鲈生长较慢可能与其肠道菌群中拟杆菌与厚壁菌的比值下降有关.研究结果提示,在今后大口黑鲈养殖或者人工配合饲料研制过程中,添加拟杆菌等益生菌也许可促进大口黑鲈的生长和营养吸收.     

复合益生菌对眼斑双锯鱼(Amphiprion ocellaris)肠道消化酶、菌群结构以及形态的影响

为探讨饲料中添加复合益生菌对眼斑双锯鱼(Amphiprion ocellaris)肠道消化酶、菌群结构及形态的影响,将135尾初始体重(0.79±0.01)g的眼斑双锯鱼随机分为3组,每组3个重复,分别投喂复合益生菌有效活菌添加量为0%(对照组)、3%(L3组)和6%(L6组)的饲料,进行为期28 d的养殖试验。结果显示,复合益生菌能提升试验鱼肠道蛋白酶的活性,其中L3组肠道蛋白酶显著提升(P<0.05);能显著降低试验鱼肠道淀粉酶活性(P<0.05);能降低脂肪酶活性(P>0.05)。随着饲料中益生菌添加量的增加,试验鱼肠道中变形菌门丰度开始增多,拟杆菌门丰度降低。饲料中益生菌添加量的增加显著降低试验鱼肠道肌层厚度并显著增加试验鱼肠道绒毛高度(P<0.05)。可见,饲料中添加3%复合益生菌可改善眼斑双锯鱼肠道消化酶活性,提高肠道微生物群落多样性,改善肠道组织形态和功能。     

益生菌在水产动物肠道内黏附机制的研究进展

双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、芽孢杆菌、酵母是益生菌制剂中最常用、最具代表性的菌种。大多数商品化的益生菌制剂是将这些菌以单一的或复合的形式，混合在粉料载体中或添加些蛋白性原料，然后将益生菌制剂直接混合在饲料中添加或制成混合液直接加入水体。各种菌通过肠道并在肠道壁黏附发挥益生作用，能否黏附定植于肠道壁是益生菌作用的前提，也是菌种筛选的重要指标。已有的研究表明，各类微生物的黏附是非特异性的，即与菌体的结构有关，菌体能接近肠道上皮细胞，菌体的特殊配体进一步与宿主细胞相应的受体之间特异性结合，既黏附素一受体学说。     

益生菌与β-葡聚糖合用对养殖水体细菌的影响

本实验将鲫鱼分为四个组，即对照组、益生菌组、β-葡聚糖组和联合组。分别投喂基础饲料、添加益生菌饲料、添加β-葡聚糖饲料、添加益生菌和β-葡聚糖饲料。定期检测各组鲫鱼水体各细菌数量变化。结果表明：投喂益生菌后,水体细菌总数极显著减少(p < 0.01)，大肠杆菌、气单胞菌显著减少(p < 0.05)，乳酸杆菌数量显著增加(p < 0.05)，β- 葡聚糖对水体细菌总数、大肠杆菌、气单胞菌、乳酸杆菌都没有明显影响（p >0.05）；β-葡聚糖和益生菌联合投喂, 水体细菌总数、大肠杆菌、气单胞菌显著减少(p < 0.05)，乳酸菌数量显著增加(p < 0.05)；联合组与益生菌组的细菌总数、乳酸杆菌无显著差异( p > 0.05)，而联合组的气单胞菌、大肠杆菌数量比益生菌制组明显减少(p <0.05) 。说明联合制剂中对水体细菌结构起调节作用的主要是益生菌, 但β- 葡聚糖能协同益生菌减少水体中致病菌的数量, 也说明β- 葡聚糖和益生菌联合投喂, 对调节水体细菌结构比单独投喂要有效。     

中草药复合微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力的影响

通过在饲料中分别添加2×10~7 CFU/g的芽孢杆菌制剂、中草药芽孢杆菌制剂、复合微生态制剂和中草药复合微生态制剂,研究4种微生态制剂对吉富罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)生长、肠道菌群及抗病力等的影响。结果显示:(1)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂均可显著提高罗非鱼的增重率(P0.05),对成活率和饲料利用率也有一定程度的提高(P0.05),而中草药复合微生态制剂对罗非鱼促进生长效果最佳。(2)饲料中添加4种微生态制剂可以显著提高罗非鱼肠道中的细菌总数、芽孢杆菌、乳酸杆菌和双歧杆菌数量(P0.05),大肠杆菌数量显著低于对照组(P0.05),说明饲料中添加一定量的4种微生态制均可改善罗非鱼的肠道菌群结构,以中草药复合微生态制剂的改善效果最佳。(3)经人工感染无乳链球菌后,罗非鱼对照组全部死亡,4个实验组只有部分死亡。鉴定发现,吉富罗非鱼的死亡均由感染无乳链球菌所致,试验组罗非鱼的免疫保护率分别为51.42%(B组)、58.62%(C组)、58.62%(D组)和68.93%(E组),以中草药复合微生态制剂组的免疫保护率最高。综上所述,在饲料中添加一定比例的中草药复合微生态制剂可以提高吉富罗非鱼生长指标、改善其肠道菌群结构和增加抗病力。     

益生菌对凡纳滨对虾免疫功能及肠道菌群的影响

以类芽孢杆菌和双歧杆菌为益生菌,添加到凡纳滨对虾(平均体质量3.45g)的饲料中,饲养28d(水温25~27℃,盐度25~26,pH 7.8~8.1,溶解氧6mg/L),采用南京建成试剂盒和变性梯度凝胶电泳技术,研究益生菌对凡纳滨对虾免疫功能及肠道菌群的影响。结果表明,益生菌能够显著提高对虾血清过氧化物酶(对照组43.22U/mL,试验组76.33U/mL)、超氧化物歧化酶(对照组60.61U/mL,试验组101.18U/mL)、一氧化氮合酶(对照组7.54U/mL,试验组12.44U/mL)、酸性磷酸酶(对照组0.0446U/mL,试验组0.0574U/mL)和碱性磷酸酶(对照组0.0183U/mL,试验组0.0236U/mL)的活性(P0.01),明显改善对虾肠道的菌群组成,从而提高对虾抵抗疾病的能力。     

高通量测序法分析两株益生菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群结构的影响

为分析荚膜红细菌和蜡样芽孢杆菌2株益生菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群结构的影响,本实验对凡纳滨对虾进行为期30 d的养殖饲喂实验,饲喂后期利用高通量测序凡纳滨对虾肠道微生物的16S rDNA V4区,来分析不同益生菌饲喂后凡纳滨对虾肠道菌群的结构特征,并结合对虾体质量增加率和攻毒后累计死亡率的宏观指标来进行分析。结果显示：①空白组（CK）、荚膜红细菌组（Rc）和蜡样芽孢杆菌组（Bc）样品OTU范围为374~506,其中CK组对虾肠道菌群OTU数量最低,饲喂益生菌后的2组对虾肠道菌群中OTU数量相对较高;②在门分类水平上,3组的变形菌门数均为最多,CK组主要为变形菌门和少量拟杆菌门,Bc组主要有变形菌门、拟杆菌门、无壁细菌门、厚壁细菌门和假单胞菌,Rc组主要是变形菌门、拟杆菌门、厚壁菌门、酸杆菌门、放线细菌、梭杆菌门和蓝细菌;③稀释曲线和Shannon指数结果可见,CK组样品物种丰度和复杂度最低,且Bc组样品丰度和复杂度相对较高;④PCA分析发现,Rc组和CK组样品微生物组成较为接近,结合宏观对虾体质量增加率和攻毒后累计死亡率的结果分析,可见相较于荚膜红细菌,蜡样芽孢杆菌对凡纳滨对虾肠道微生物菌群影响更显著,且益生效果更佳。研究表明,饲喂益生菌可以扩增对虾肠道微生物菌群丰度,并能抑制弧菌属等有害菌群的生长,提高对虾体质量增加率并降低死亡率,从而达到益生效果,其中以饲喂蜡样芽孢杆菌菌株效果更佳。     

微生态制剂对幼刺参生长及消化酶活性的影响

以马尾藻、鼠尾藻、海泥、贻贝粉等原料配制成基础饲料为对照组饵料,在基础饲料的基础上分别添加光合细菌、芽孢杆菌和复合菌(主要成分为光合细菌和芽孢杆菌)制剂为试验组饵料。试验结果表明,试验组特定生长率均大于对照组,在试验的第1阶段:试验组与对照组特定生长率差异显著(P<0.05);在试验的第2阶段:试验组与对照组特定生长率差异都极显著(P<0.01),3组之间差异不显著(P>0.05)。两个阶段成活率试验中试验组都高于对照组,第2阶段成活率高于第1阶段成活率。在两次试验阶段,益生菌对刺参肠道消化酶活性的影响有一定的相似性,试验组刺参消化酶活性都高于对照组。试验表明益生菌可以提高幼刺参的消化酶活性和成活率,并有促生长作用。     

苏云金芽孢杆菌对黄河鲤血液免疫效果研究

研究了苏云金芽孢杆菌对黄河鲤血液免疫应答的影响.将苏云金芽孢杆菌按1.0×10~(11)、3.0×10~(11)、5.0×10~(11) cfu/kg 3个浓度添加在鱼用全价颗粒饲料中,投喂经嗜水气单胞菌疫苗免疫组(A_0～A_3)和未免疫组(B_0～B_3)黄河鲤,分别于0、15、30、40 d时检测各组黄河鲤白细胞吞噬活性、血清溶菌酶活性以及血清凝集抗体效价,并进行攻毒试验.结果表明:添加苏云金芽孢杆菌可使黄河鲤血液中白细胞吞噬活性和血清溶菌酶活性显著提高.添加组与对照组差异显著(P<0.05),添加浓度越高,血液白细胞活性和溶菌酶活性越强.免疫组与未免疫组白细胞吞噬活性差异不显著(P>0.05),而溶菌酶活性差异显著(P<0.05).在停止投喂后10 d,白细胞活性、血清溶菌酶活性逐渐下降,但差异不显著(P>0.05).添加苏云金芽孢杆菌还可提高黄河鲤的凝集抗体效价及攻毒后的存活率,其中,当菌株添加浓度为5.0×10~(11) cfu/kg时,受免疫的黄河鲤免疫保护率最高.即投喂苏云金芽孢杆菌对黄河鲤血液免疫应答有明显促进作用.     

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity of shrimp chitosan against some intestinal bacteria

ABSTRACT:   The effects of shrimp chitosan with deacetylation degrees (DD) of 50%, 70% and 95% (DD50, DD70, DD95) on the growth of the intestinal bacteria were investigated in vitro in the laboratory media, and in vivo by an oral feeding test using hamsters as the animal model. The antibacterial activities of these chitosan products against one strain of pathogenic Clostridium perfringens and 13 strains of probiotics, including seven strains of Lactobacillus , and six strains of Bifidobacterium were evaluated. In vitro , the antibacterial activities of DD95 and DD70 were much higher than that of DD50. The strains of probiotics were more resistant to chitosan than the pathogen of C .  perfringens . The minimal lethal concentration for DD95 against C. perfringens was 250 p.p.m., whereas the survival percentages for most probiotics tested were above 90% for DD95 at 500 p.p.m. The animals were fed on either a control diet, or diets containing powdered chitosan instead of 5% cellulose in the control diet for 4 weeks. The cecal bacterial counts of total aerobes, total anaerobes, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and clostridia were similar for the control and experimental groups. The reasons for the differences in the antibacterial activity in vitro and in vivo are discussed.     

Beneficial effects on growth,haematic indicators,immune status,antioxidant function and gut health in Juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by dietary administration of a multi‐strain probiotic

The present study was conducted to administer a commercial multi‐strain probiotic (MP), Yilibao (Bacillus velezensis:Bacillus cereus:Lactobacillus casei = 2:2:1), in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. In terms of aerobic Bacillus spp. counts, we produced five diets containing 0, 0.34, 1.68, 3.36 and 6.72 g/kg of MP dry product (Control, T1, T2, T3, T4). Seven hundred and fifty tilapia juveniles (13.26 ± 0.01 g) distributed into 25 tanks in five replications were fed their diet for eight weeks. Results showed that fish fed T3 and T4 diets displayed significantly higher final body weight and weight gain (p < .05). Further, all MP‐treated fish exhibited remarkably decreased plasma lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides) (p < .05) and fish fed T3 and T4 diets displayed significantly higher plasma myeloperoxidase activity and complement C3 content (p < .05). Additionally, fish fed T3 and T4 diets exhibited significantly promoted total antioxidant capacity, glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione level and declined malondialdehyde content in the plasma and/or liver (p < .05). Moreover, significantly elevated chymotrypsin activity, villus height and intraepithelial lymphocytes counts were found in fish fed T3 and T4 diets (p < .05). As fish fed T3 and T4 diets surpassed the other treatments in growth, immune–antioxidative status and gut health, the recommended dose for tilapia is 3.36–6.72 g/kg.     

Effects of dietary probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and whey protein concentrate on the productive parameters,immunity response and susceptibility of Nile tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus (L.), to Aeromonas sobria infection

Immunostimulatory feed supplements have an increasingly interest in aquaculture management. Generally, an individual supplement was used in fish diets but it is expected that the use of multi‐supplements may show synergistic enhancements in fish performance, health, and immunity. Therefore, the present investigation was carried out to evaluate the use of dietary probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum and whey protein concentrate (WPC) in practical diets for Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Hence, probiotic L. plantarum, WPC and their mixture were incorporated into a basal fish diet (300 g/kg crude protein) as follows: T1 = a basal control diet, T2 = a basal diet containing L. plantarum, T3 = a basal diet containing 1.0 g WCP/kg diet and T4, T5 or T6 = basal diets containing probiotic L. plantarum + 1.0, 2.0 or 3.0 g WCP/kg diet, respectively. Fish (15.2 ± 0.6 g) were fed on one of the tested diets up to apparent satiation twice a day for 60 days. After that, fish were intraperitoneally injected with pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas sobria and fish mortality was observed for 10 days postchallenge. Fish growth and feed intake were significantly improved by dietary probiotic L. plantarum (T2) and/or WPC (T3) over the control group (T1), and highest fish performance was observed in T5–T6 fish groups. Similarly, highest values of haematocrit, glucose, total proteins, albumin, and globulin were significantly observed in T5–T6 fish groups. Likewise, fish fed dietary probiotic L. plantarum (T2), WPC (T3), and their mixture (T4–T6) showed antioxidants and immune‐stimulating activities better than the control group. Fish fed the control diet were more susceptible to A. sobria infection showing highest fish mortality (75.0%). Meanwhile, dietary probiotic L. plantarum (T2), WPC (T3), and their mixture (T4–T6) enhanced significantly the fish resistance to A. sobria infection resulting in maximum values of relative percent of fish survival (73.3%–80.0%) in T5–T6 groups. The present investigation recommended the use of probiotic L. plantarum with 2.0 g WPC/kg diet to improve the growth, antioxidant, immunity responses and tolerance of Nile tilapia to A. sobria infection.     

美洲鲥幼鱼饲料中蛋白质的适宜含量

为研究饲料中不同蛋白质含量对美洲鲥幼鱼生长的影响,设置了蛋白质含量分别为35%、40%和45%的3组实验,经过41d的试验得出:蛋白质含量为40%的饲料组,幼鱼的增重率、特定生长率最高(P<0.05);蛋白质含量为40%组和45%组的蛋白质效率和饲料转化率无显著差异(P>0.05),但均高于35%组(P<0.05)。     

不同蛋白质和脂肪水平对细鳞鲑幼鱼生长和肌肉氨基酸含量的影响

本研究旨在探讨不同蛋白质和脂肪水平对细鳞鲑(Brachymystax lenok)幼鱼生长、体成分以及肌肉氨基酸含量的影响。采用蛋白质水平为40%、45%、50%和55%,脂肪水平为8%和16%,共8组实验饲料。在水温为(16±0.2)℃的循环流水水族箱系统内进行为期10周的养殖试验。采用常规生化分析方法对该鱼肌肉营养学组成及含量进行测定分析。研究结果表明,不同蛋白和脂肪水平对细鳞鲑幼鱼增重率、特定生长率、肥满度和肝体比等均有显著影响(P0.05)。随着蛋白水平增加,增重率、特定生长率、肥满度和肝体比率先升高后降低,其肌肉粗蛋白含量也随之显著升高(P0.05),而对粗脂肪和粗灰分不存在显著影响;随着脂肪水平增加,其肌肉粗脂肪含量也随之显著提高(P0.05),而对水分、粗蛋白和灰分含量不存在显著影响。肌肉中共测定出17种氨基酸(除色氨酸),不同蛋白和脂肪水平对氨基酸总量(WTAA)和必需氨基酸的构成比例(WEAA/WTAA)不存在显著影响。综合生长性能与氨基酸模式的实验结果,本研究认为细鳞鲑幼鱼最适蛋白质和脂肪水平分别为50%和8%,适宜蛋能比为29.36 g/MJ。     

Effect of Microparticulate Diets on Growth and Survival of Spotted Sand Bass Larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, at Two Early Weaning Times

Early weaning in spotted sand bass larvae, Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, was evaluated, testing a combination of two weaning times, 17 and 22 d after hatching (d.a.h.), and three different microparticulate diets. Protein in diets was mainly from sardine meal and from 15% squid meal, beef blood meal, or fish protein hydrolysate. Anatomical (standard length), histological (gut development), and biochemical (highly unsaturated fatty acids) parameters were measured in larvae, as well as survival and resistance to a stress test measured 40 d.a.h. For larvae weaned at 17 d.a.h., the best growth and survival were obtained with diets containing fish protein hydrolysates; for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h., best results were obtained with squid meal and fish protein hydrolysate. Growth and survival were significantly lower when using beef blood meal in both weaning treatments. The best relative and total survival were for larvae weaned at 22 d.a.h. After the resistance test, 100% survival occurred in larvae fed on any microparticulate diet and either weaning treatment. No significant differences in arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, or docosahexaenoic acid concentrations in fish fed on any diet occurred. Results suggest that weaning at 22 d.a.h. with diets containing fish protein hydrolysate or squid meal is preferred by this species.     

饲料中添加谷胱甘肽对草鱼生长、生理指标和抗病力的影响

选用初始体质量约8.50 g的草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idella),在56 d的饲养期中分别投喂添加5种不同剂量谷胱甘肽(GSH)(添加量分别为0 mg/kg、100 mg/kg、200 mg/kg、300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg)的试验饲料,观察GSH对草鱼生长、生理指标和抗病力的影响。结果表明,饲料中添加GSH能够提高草鱼特定生长率、存活率和饲料效率。其中,300 mg/kg GSH组草鱼的特定生长率和400 mg/kg GSH组草鱼的存活率显著高于对照组;添加GSH各组草鱼的饲料效率均显著高于对照组,当添加量为200 mg/kg时草鱼饲料效率达到最高。与对照组相比,饲料中添加GSH的各组草鱼肝胰指数明显升高,其中200 mg/kg组达到显著水平。饲料中添加GSH能够提高血清IGF-1水平,其中300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg组显著高于对照组。与对照组相比,各实验组草鱼血液白细胞数目有不同程度升高,其中300 mg/kg和400 mg/kg组均达到显著水平。饲料中添加GSH可以提高草鱼对嗜水气单胞菌的抵抗能力,其中200 mg/kg GSH组草鱼攻毒后存活率达到最高。以特定生长率为判定指标,GSH在草鱼饲料中的适宜添加量为350 mg/kg。     

Optimum Dietary Level of L-ascorbic Acid for Japanese Eel, Anguilla japonica

A feeding experiment was conducted to determine the optimum dietary level of ascorbic acid (AsA) for Japanese eel juveniles using L-ascorbic acid Ca based on growth, AsA content in tissues, hematology, and bactericidal activity of serum with Escherichia coli . Test diets with six levels of AsA (3, 10, 27,126, 645, and 3,135-mg/kg diet) as Ca ascorbate were fed to juvenile Japanese eels (11.0 ± 0.2 g) once a day for 8 wk. High survival rates (> 80%) were observed among all dietary treatment groups. The specific growth rates of the fish fed diets containing 3 and 10-mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of other groups. Liver and brain AsA contents of the fish fed diets containing 3, 10, and 27-mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3,135-mg AsA/kg. Hemoglobin content tended to be higher in the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3,135-mg AsA/kg than those of the fish fed other diets. Hematocrit value and total serum protein content of the fish fed diets containing 645 and 3135 mg AsA/kg were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of the other groups. The fish fed diets containing more than 27-mg AsAlkg showed a higher bactericidal activity of serum than the fish fed the diets containing 3-mg and 10-mg AsA/kg. The optimum dietary level of AsA for the Japanese eel juveniles growth was estimated to be more than 27-mg AsA/kg. Furthermore, the inclusion of 645-mg AsA/kg or more also increased the hematocrit, hemoglobin, total serum protein value, and liver and brain vitamin C concentrations.     

Evaluation of Semipurified Test Diets for Tilapia zillii Fingerlings

An experiment was conducted to evaluate semipurified test diets for Tilapia zillii fingerlings. Four isocaloric (300 kcal dietary energy/100 g) diets containing casein (at 30 and 39%). casein supplemented with L-arginine (Arg) and casein/gelatin mixture as protein sources were fed to triplicate groups of T. zillii fingerlings at a daily rate of 3% of their body weight for 6 weeks. When casein was fed as the sole dietary protein source at 30% level, fish growth, feed conversion efficiency (FC) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly reduced. Those variables were significantly improved when casein was supplemented with Arg. The group of fish fed casein/gelatin diet showed the best growth and feed utilization. When casein was increased to 39% to meet the Arg requirement, fish growth and feed conversion were not significantly different from those of fish fed casein/gelatin diet, while PER and protein production value (PPV) were significantly reduced. These results indicated that casein/gelatin is superior to casein or casein/Arg as a protein source in semipurified test diets for T. zillii fingerlings.