饲料中豆粕蛋白替代鱼粉蛋白对齐口裂腹鱼幼鱼生长性能、体成分及血液生化指标的影响

试验分别以豆粕替代0(对照组)、20%、40%、60%、80%、100%的鱼粉蛋白设计出6种等氮等能的饲料配方, 按照配方配制试验饲料(A1、A2、A3、A4、A5和A6)。将540尾体质量为(14.67±0.51) g的齐口裂腹鱼随机分为6个试验组, 每组3个重复, 每个重复30尾试验鱼, 分别投喂6种不同的试验饲料, 养殖时间为45 d。结果表明, 豆粕蛋白替代水平对齐口裂腹鱼的生长有显著影响。豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白的比例为60%时, 试验鱼的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)、饲料蛋白效率(PER)均达到最高(分别为118.08%、1.95%/d和207.22%), 饵料系数(FCR)最小(1.27)(P<0.05)。与其余各试验组相比, 替代比例为100%的试验组的WGR、SGR、PER显著降低, FCR显著升高(P<0.05)。通过二次多项式回归分析可知, 齐口裂腹鱼生长性能最佳时豆粕蛋白替代比例为34.25%~45.46%; 随着豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白比例的增大, 鱼体水分、粗灰分、肥满度差异不显著(P>0.05), 粗蛋白在豆粕蛋白替代水平为60%时达到最高(15.53%), 但在豆粕蛋白替代比例小于80%时试验鱼体粗蛋白、粗脂肪含量无显著差异(P>0.05), 肝体指数则随豆粕蛋白替代水平增加而增大, 但在0~80%之间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。随着豆粕蛋白替代比例的增加, 超氧化歧化酶(SOD)的活性有一定的波动, 在豆粕蛋白替代比例为40%达到最高, 豆粕蛋白替代比例在20%~60%时, 溶菌酶(LSZ)的活性逐渐升高, 但各组间及与对照组间的差异不显著(P>0.05), 谷草转氨酶(AST)和谷丙转氨酶(ALT)随着豆粕替代比例增加而逐渐升高, 但豆粕蛋白替代比例小于80%时差异不显著(P>0.05)。豆粕蛋白替代比例为100%时AST、ALT活性显著高于其余各试验组(P<0.05)。说明饲料中豆粕替代一定比例的鱼粉蛋白可促进齐口裂腹鱼的生长, 提高对饲料蛋白的代谢和免疫能力, 但豆粕替代鱼粉蛋白比例超过80%则可引起肝损伤或组织病变。在本试验条件下, 综合考虑其生长指标、体成分及免疫指标, 齐口裂腹鱼的饲料中豆粕对鱼粉蛋白的最大替代比例为80%, 当其替代比例为34.25%~45.46%时可获得最佳生长效果。     

水产饲料动植物蛋白源替代体系及其与养殖鱼类食性的关系

蛋白源替代是水产饲料领域研究的重要内容之一。本文概述了当今水产饲料动植物蛋白源替代体系的构成和应用,并对其进行详细分类和特点阐述,选取其中具有代表性的蛋白源进行总结,重点揭示水产饲料动植物性蛋白源在不同食性鱼类的研究进展及替代效果差异较大原因,以期为水产饲料配方的科学设计提供理论依据。     

饲料中双低菜粕蛋白对异育银鲫和团头鲂必需氨基酸沉积率的影响

实验饲料中 ,对照组Ⅰ以豆粕和鱼粉为基础蛋白源 ,Ⅱ～Ⅴ实验组分别用 16 72 %、 33 4 5 %、5 0 17%、 6 6 89%的“华双 3号”双低菜籽粕等氮替代对照组中的 2 5 %、 5 0 %、 75 %、 10 0 %豆粕蛋白 ,Ⅵ组以83 6 6 %的菜籽粕等氮替代对照组中 10 0 %的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白 ,检验了饲料中不同的“华双 3号”双低菜籽粕蛋白水平对异育银鲫和团头鲂氨基酸沉积率的影响。随着双低菜籽粕蛋白替代比例提高 ,异育银鲫和团头鲂的必需氨基酸沉积率呈下降趋势 ,当替代比例为 2 5 %时 ,团头鲂EAA沉积率显著高于对照组和其它实验组(P <0 0 5 ) ;当双低菜籽粕蛋白替代豆粕蛋白的比例为 10 0 %或替代饲料中全部的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白时 ,异育银鲫和团头鲂的EAA沉积率均显著低于对照组和其它实验组 (P <0 0 5 )。     

双低菜粕对异育银鲫和团头鲂鱼体组成的影响

以异育银鲫和团头鲂为生长实验对象,对照组Ⅰ以豆粕和鱼粉为基础蛋白源,Ⅱ～Ⅴ实验组分别用16.72%、33.45%、50.17%、66.89%的"华双3号"双低菜籽粕等氮替代对照组中的25%、50%、75%、100%豆粕蛋白,Ⅵ组以83.66%的菜籽粕等氮替代对照组中100%的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白。随着饲料中双低菜籽粕蛋白替代比例的提高,异育银鲫和团头鲂鱼体的干物质、蛋白质、脂肪含量呈下降趋势,但与对照组无显著差异(p>0.05),但当双低菜粕蛋白替代豆粕蛋白的比例为100%或替代饲料中全部的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白时,二者的脂肪含量显著下降,低于对照组;氨基酸总量和必需氨基酸含量随着双低菜籽粕蛋白替代比例的增加略有下降,但各实验组与对照组之间无显著差异(p>0.05)。     

鱼蛋白水解物对泥鳅生长、存活及消化酶活性的影响

为研究不同水平的鱼蛋白水解物对泥鳅仔鱼生长、存活及消化酶活性的影响,以初始体长为(4.978±0.148)mm,体质量为(0.907±0.076)mg的2日龄泥鳅仔鱼为试验对象,用鱼粉蛋白水解物(FPH)替代饲料中0%(对照组)、10%、20%、30%、45%(试验组)的鱼粉蛋白进行了21 d养殖试验。试验结果:不同水平的鱼蛋白水解物对泥鳅仔鱼的生长、存活及消化酶活性有显著影响。随着替代水平的升高,特定生长率(SGR)表现为先上升后下降的趋势,10%替代水平组的SGR最高,显著高于其余各组(P0.05);10%替代水平组的肥满度最大,显著高于对照组(P0.05)。碱性磷酸酶呈先上升后下降的趋势,10%替代水平组有最大值;胃蛋白酶活性和胰蛋白酶活性有相同的变化趋势,最大的酶活性值均出现在10%替代水平组,显著高于对照组(P0.05)。仔鱼的成活率随着替代水平的升高呈先上升后下降的趋势,且10%替代水平组的成活率最高(63.9%),显著高于对照组(46.7%)和45%替代水平组(39.3%)(P0.05)。结果表明,泥鳅仔鱼饲料中鱼粉蛋白水解物替代鱼粉蛋白的最适水平为10%。     

饲料蛋白对翘嘴红鲌蛋白质周转代谢的影响

选择健康的翘嘴红(体重12.84±0.60g)为试验鱼,以红鱼粉为蛋白源,配制5个蛋白水平(31.04%、35.51%、40.89%4、6.62%、50.33%)的等能、等必需氨基酸(EAA)平衡关联度的半精制饲料;又以豆粕替代鱼粉,大豆蛋白分别替代0、13.5%、27%、40.5%、54%的鱼粉蛋白,配制5个EAA关联度的等蛋白(40%)、等能(20MJ.kg-1)的半精制饲料,探讨饲料蛋白水平和大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白的替代对翘嘴红肌肉和肝胰脏蛋白质周转代谢的影响。8周饲养结果表明,饲料蛋白水平对翘嘴红的特定增重率(SGR)具有显著性影响(P<0.05),40.89%饲料蛋白组的SGR显著高于31.04%、35.51%饲料蛋白组(P<0.05),但与46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组没有显著性差异(P>0.05);饲料蛋白水平对白肌、肝胰脏蛋白质生长率具有相似的影响,40.89%饲料蛋白组的白肌、肝胰脏蛋白质生长率分别达到2.13%.d-1,显著高于31.04%和35.51%两组(P<0.05),但与46.62%和50.33%饲料蛋白组无显著性差异(P>0.05)。饲料蛋白水平的增加促进了翘嘴红的生长和蛋白质的合成。肌肉蛋白质合成率(Ks)、蛋白质降解率(Kd)随饲料蛋白水平的增加而增加(P<0.05),肌肉蛋白质的增加归因于蛋白质合成的增加较降解的增加更占优势,蛋白质的沉积率在适宜蛋白水平时最高。当大豆蛋白分别替代13.5%2、7.0%4、0.5%的鱼粉蛋白时,翘嘴红的SGR与对照组差异不显著(P>0.05),而且都显著高于54.0%替代组(P<0.05)。白肌蛋白质生长率(Kg)也显著受到大豆蛋白替代的影响(P<0.01),当饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量为40.5%时,与对照组相比,Kg极显著下降(P<0.01)。随着饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量的增加,白肌Ks随之降低,当饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量达54%时,与对照组相比,肌肉Ks显著下降(P<0.05)。白肌Kd与白肌Ks的变化趋势相似(P<0.1),而PDE没有受到饲料中大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代的影响(P>0.05)。可见随着大豆蛋白对鱼粉蛋白替代量的提高,氨基酸平衡关联度逐渐降低,蛋白质合成逐渐降低(P<0.05),生长下降,饲料必须氨基酸平衡程度的变化没有改变蛋白质的沉积效率。     

不同水平双低菜粕替代蛋白对鱼类生长的影响

异育银鲫(Carassiusauratusgibelio)和团头鲂(Megalobramaamblycephola)鱼种随机分成6组,Ⅰ组为对照组,Ⅱ-Ⅴ组分别用不同比例"华双3号"双低菜粕等氮替代对照组中的25%、50%、75%、100%的豆粕蛋白,Ⅵ组以83.66%的菜粕等氮替代对照组中100%的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白,在小型网箱中进行了生长实验。结果表明,当饲料中双低菜粕蛋白替代豆粕蛋白比例分别为25%、50%和75%时,异育银鲫和团头鲂的特定生长率、饲料转化率和平均摄食率等指标各实验组之间差异不显著(P>0.05);当替代比例为100%或替代饲料中全部的豆粕和鱼粉蛋白时,两种鱼类的各项指标均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。     

饲料中蛋白寡聚肽对鲈鱼和小白鼠蛋白消化率和蛋白沉积率的影响

分别以新鲜冷冻和20℃解冻放置48h太平洋狭鳕(Pollacbiuspollacbius)下脚料为原料,酶解、冷冻干燥后获得蛋白寡聚肽FPH-1、FPH-2;新鲜冷冻太平洋狭鳕下脚料直接冷冻干燥获得对照组蛋白FPR。通过小白鼠和鲈鱼实验,比较测定3组蛋白源的蛋白消化率和蛋白沉积率。分别以蛋白寡聚肽FPH-1、FPH-2和FPR配制饲料饲喂小白鼠10d,3组蛋白源之间AD、TD、NPU、BV值无明显差异(P>0.05);以蛋白质水解度DH=35.6%的蛋白寡聚肽FPH-1按0、4.2%、12.4%、21.2%的比例分别替代饲料中的蛋白质配制饲料饲喂鲈鱼60d,FPH-1替代饲料蛋白比例为12.4%时,特殊生长率(SGR)和蛋白沉积率最高(P<0.05),但当FPH-1替代饲料蛋白比例提高到21.2%时,其促生长效果和蛋白沉积率反而表现出降低趋势。     

复合蛋白源替代鱼粉对杂交鳢生长、体组成与生化指标的影响

为研究复合蛋白源替代鱼粉对杂交鳢生长、体组成、抗氧化与生化指标的影响,在基础饲料中用复合蛋白源(由棉粕+菜粕+蚕蛹+桑叶发酵而成)分别替代饲料中0%、12%、24%、36%和48%的鱼粉,配制成5种等氮等脂(含粗蛋白CP 42%,粗脂肪EE 8.5%)的实验饲料,在室内循环水族箱内饲喂杂交鳢(初始体质量22 g)8周。结果显示,当复合蛋白源替代鱼粉水平大于12%时,杂交鳢的终末体质量(FBW)和特定生长率(SGR)显著降低,在48%替代水平达到最低。36%和48%替代水平蛋白质效率(PER)显著降低,而饲料系数(FCR)显著升高。各实验组摄食率(FR)无显著差异。替代水平组全鱼粗脂肪含量以及脏体比(VSI)和肠脂比(IPF)显著降低,而水分含量显著增加。随替代水平的增加,胰蛋白酶活性显著降低,而肠脂肪酶活性显著升高。替代水平24%以上肝脏谷丙转氨酶(GPT)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性显著升高。替代水平12%以上血清中总胆固醇(CHO)含量显著降低,而替代水平36%以上血糖(GLU)含量会显著降低。各实验组血清甘油三酯(TC)、总蛋白(TP)和白蛋白(ALB)含量无显著变化。研究表明,复合蛋白源替代12%鱼粉不会影响杂交鳢的生长,而高水平替代会抑制杂交鳢的生长,但可以改善杂交鳢机体糖脂代谢,提高机体的抗氧化能力。     

酶解豆粕蛋白替代鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾生长、饲料利用和消化酶的影响

试验旨在研究酶解豆粕蛋白替代部分鱼粉对凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)生长、饲料利用及消化酶的影响。选用初始体质量为(1.10±0.02)g的健康对虾,随机分成5组,饲养在0.5 m~3的玻璃纤维钢桶中,分别投喂酶解豆粕蛋白(0、7.40%、14.80%、22.20%和30.20%)替代基础配方中鱼粉(0、25%、50%、75%和100%)制成5组等氮等脂的饲料,试验时间为56 d。试验结果显示投喂25%和50%的酶解豆粕蛋白替代鱼粉的凡纳滨对虾增重率、特定生长率、饲料系数和蛋白质效率等无差异统计学意义(P0.05),替代25%组和替代50%组凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺的蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性显著高于对照组(P0.05)。研究结果表明,凡纳滨对虾饲料中酶解豆粕蛋白替代鱼粉的比例不宜超过50%。     

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.     

美人鱼发光杆菌对凡纳滨对虾非特异性 免疫功能及抗病力的影响

在基础饲料中分别添加0.1%和1%美人鱼发光杆菌灭活菌、0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌配制成3种免疫实验饲料,以基础饲料为空白对照组饲料,每组设3个平行样。对个体质量为(4.83±0.36)g的凡纳滨对虾进行为期20 d的饲养实验,分别在0、5、10、15和20d进行取样,以血清中的酚氧化酶(PO)、酸性磷酸酶(ACP)、碱性磷酸酶(AKP)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和溶菌酶(UL)活性为免疫指标,探讨了美人鱼发光杆菌作为免疫制剂对凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫效应的影响;在投喂免疫饲料后的第22天,按0.004 2 kg/kg体重的剂量,直接投喂对虾白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)病料,并记录累积死亡率。结果表明,美人鱼发光杆菌免疫实验组对凡纳滨对虾血清中PO、ACP、AKP、UL和SOD活性影响明显高于对照组,并且在饲料中添加美人鱼发光杆菌后,明显提高了对虾抵御WSSV感染的能力。其中0.1%美人鱼发光杆菌活菌实验组的抗病毒感染能力最强,WSSV感染14d内累计死亡率为63.3%±5.8%;而对照组为96.7%±3.3%。研究表明,美人鱼发光杆菌添加在对虾饲料中能提高凡纳滨对虾非特异性免疫水平,增强抵抗疾病的能力,将其作为对虾免疫增强剂具有良好的应用前景。     

Effects of Spirulina platensis as a feed additive on growth and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii Boulunger, 1902)

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with dietary Spirulina as a feed supplement on the growth performance and coloration of blue dolphin cichlids (Cyrtocara moorii). Five isonitrogenous (47% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.36 kJ/g digestible energy) diets were for formulated to replace FM with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% Spirulina (designated as Control, SP5, SP10, SP15 and SP20 respectively) and fed to the fish (initial body weight, 3.15 ± 0.01 g). Fish were randomly distributed into fifteen 120 L aquariums (26.5 ± 1.00°C), 15 fish per aquarium. The diets were tested in triplicate for 12 weeks. Experimental groups were fed twice daily (09:00 and 17:00) by hand to satiation. At the end of the feeding trial, significantly (p < 0.05) higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) were observed in fish fed the SP10 diet when compared to the SP20 diet. There was no significant difference in these parameters between the other groups. The skin coloration of blue dolphin cichlid fed a diet containing Spirulina meal was enhanced. The best coloration was observed in the SP15 group. These impressions were objectively validated by chemical determinations of carotenoids extracted from fish skins and passed statistical tests of significance. The study findings show that Spirulina meal does not diminish growth rates except at very high levels.     

A Minchinia mercenariae‐like parasite infects cockles Cerastoderma edule in Galicia (NW Spain)

The cockle Cerastoderma edule fishery has traditionally been the most important shellfish species in terms of biomass in Galicia (NW Spain). In the course of a survey of the histopathological conditions affecting this species in the Ria of Arousa, a haplosporidan parasite that had not been observed in Galicia was detected in one of the most productive cockle beds of Galicia. Uni‐ and binucleate cells and multinucleate plasmodia were observed in the connective tissue mainly in the digestive area, gills and gonad. The parasite showed low prevalence, and it was not associated with abnormal cockle mortality. Molecular identification showed that this parasite was closely related to the haplosporidan Minchinia mercenariae that had been reported infecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria from the Atlantic coast of the United States. The molecular characterization of its SSU rDNA region allowed obtaining a fragment of 1,796 bp showing 98% homology with M. mercenariae parasite. Phylogenetic analysis supported this identification as this parasite was clustered in the same clade as M. mercenariae from the United States and other M. mercenariae‐like sequences from the UK, with bootstrap value of 99%. The occurrence of M. mercenariae‐like parasites infecting molluscs outside the United States is confirmed.     

Sea bream culture in Egypt; status, constraints and potential

Marine fish farming in Egypt began in 1976 with the culture of gilthead sea bream, (Sparus aurata) as this fish was notably adaptable to brackish and marine pond conditions. Today, marine fish and shrimp farms amount to about 19,000 ha, out of which 42% is already in production while the rest, i.e., 58% is still under construction. In 1997, cultured gilthead sea bream production of 2,250 tons made up 3% of the 75,000 tons total aquaculture catch. In polyculture, usually with the grey mullet and sea bass, gilthead sea bream contributed 440 kg ha^–1 to the total yield of 1,700 kg ha^–1 (26%) over a period of 16 months. For the same period, the yield of monoculture ponds averaged 100 kg ha^–1, while in marine cages, yields ranged from 4–10 kg m³. In 1996–1997, fry of 0.25–1 g and fingerlings 1–10 g with a total of 3 million, were collected from the wild and 1 million fry were produced in the three marine hatcheries out of the four existing ones. The development of sea bream culture in Egypt is now severely inhibited by the shortage of seeds and adequate feeds. Exports of both sea bream and sea bass, during 1994–1996 averaged 1,300 tons per year.     

Dietary thiamin and pyridoxine requirements of fingerling Indian major carp,Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton)

Two experiments were conducted to quantify the dietary thiamin (experiment I) and pyridoxine (experiment II) requirements of fingerling Cirrhinus mrigala for 16 weeks. In experiment I, dietary thiamin requirement was determined by feeding seven casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) with graded levels of thiamin (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 mg kg^?1 diet) to triplicate groups of fish (6.15 ± 0.37 cm; 1.89 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet with 2 mg kg^?1 thiamin had highest specific growth rate (SGR), protein retention (PR), RNA/DNA ratio, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), RBCs and best feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, highest liver thiamin concentration was recorded in fish fed 4 mg thiamin kg^?1 diet. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver thiamin concentrations exhibited the thiamin requirement in the range of 1.79–3.34 mg kg^?1 diet (0.096–0.179 μg thiamin kJ^?1 gross energy). In experiment II, six casein–gelatin‐based diets (400 g kg^?1 CP; 18.69 kJ g^?1 GE) containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mg kg^?1 diet) were fed to triplicate groups of fish (6.35 ± 0.37 cm; 1.97 ± 0.12 g). Fish fed diet containing 6 mg kg^?1 pyridoxine showed best SGR, FCR, PR, RNA/DNA ratio, Hb, Hct and RBCs, whereas maximum liver pyridoxine concentration was recorded in fish fed 8 mg kg^?1 dietary pyridoxine. Broken‐line analysis of SGR, PR and liver pyridoxine concentrations reflected the pyridoxine requirement from 5.63 to 8.61 mg kg^?1 diet. Data generated during this study would be useful in formulating thiamin‐ and pyridoxine‐balanced feeds for the intensive culture of this fish.     

Fertilization by refrigerator stored sperm of the Indian major carp, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822)

This study reports on the spermatological properties, and on the development of a protocol for refrigerator storage (4°C) of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) sperm for artificial breeding. Volume, motility, concentration and pH of the freshly collected sperm were 2.21 ± 0.53 (μL g^?1 of fish weight) (mean ± SD), 95 ± 1 (%), 1.93 ± 0.44 × 10⁹ (cells mL^?1) and 7.56 ± 0.17 respectively. Sperm activation was evaluated at different osmolalities of NaCl solution, and motility ceased completely when osmolality of the extender was ≥287 mOsmol kg^?1. Sperm retained motility for 24, 72 and 108 h, after refrigerator storage when sperm were undiluted, suspended in Alsever's solution and suspended in Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol respectively. Fertilization rate of fresh eggs with sperm stored at 4°C in Alsever's solution and Alsever's solution containing 5% methanol was 77% and 60% with a hatching rate of 60% and 43% respectively. The fertilization and hatching success of the stored sperm suggests potential to use refrigeration for transporting genetic material to hatcheries for artificial breeding of L. calbasu in Bangladesh.     

A novel approach to denitrification processes in a zero-discharge recirculating system for small-scale urban aquaculture

This paper presents an innovative process to solve the nitrate build-up problem in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). The novel aspects of the process lie in a denitrification bioreactor system that uses solid cotton wool as the primary carbon source and a unique degassing chamber. In the latter, the water is physically stripped of dissolved gaseous O₂ (by means of a Venturi vacuum tube), and the subsequent denitrification becomes more efficient due to elimination of the problems of oxygen inhibition of denitrification and aerobic consumption of cotton wool. The cotton wool medium also serves as a physical barrier that traps organic particles, which, in turn, act as an additional carbon source for denitrification. Operation in the proposed system gives an extremely low C/N ratio of 0.82 g of cotton wool/g of nitrate N, which contributes to a significant reduction of biofilter volume. The additional advantage of using solid cotton wool as the carbon source is that it does not release organic residuals into the liquid to be recycled. Operation of the system over a long period consistently produced effluents with low nitrate levels (below 10 mg N/l), and there was only a very small need to replace system water. The overall treatment scheme, also incorporating an aerobic nitrification biofilter and a granular filtration device, produced water of excellent quality, i.e., with near-zero levels of nitrite and ammonia, a sufficiently high pH for aquaculture, and low turbidity. The proposed system thus provides a solution for sustainable small-scale, urban aquaculture operation with a very high recovery of water (over 99%) and minimal waste disposal.     

Effects of metomidate anaesthesia or transfer to pur sea water on plasma parameters in ammonia-exposed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) in sea water

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) postsmolts weighing 150 ± 53 g were exposed to 14–15 mg l^–1 TA-N (total ammonia-N) in sea water in 1 m³ tanks for 24h. Blood samples were then taken A) immediately after the fish were netted from the exposure tanks and stunned by a blow to the head; B) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of an anaesthetic solution of metomidate in ammonia-free sea water; or C) 2–20 min after the fish were transferred to 15 l of ammonia-free sea water. Plasma TA-N level was 18% lower in the anaesthetised fish compared to in the fish sampled directly from the exposure tanks (p 0.05), and accordingly 16% lower in the fish transferred to pure sea water although this difference was not significant (p = 0.07). Plasma glucose level was higher in the fish transferred to pure sea water than in the fish receiving the two other treatments (p 0.05), but plasma urea, osmolality, Na^{+, Cl–, Ca2+ or Mg2+} levels did not vary significantly between the different treatments. Plasma TA-N level increased with time in the fish in the metomidate solution (p 0.02).