Effects of steam pelleting or extrusion on digestibility and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus

The effects of different processing techniques on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) and performance of silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus were evaluated. Results of a factorial digestibility trial, in which three diets (SP35, 95LC1 and 95LC2) and three processing methods (cold pelleted, steam pelleted and extruded) were evaluated, indicated that extrusion, but not steam conditioning, significantly improved ADCs of dry matter (DM) and energy. ADCs of DM and energy of cold‐pelleted diets were statistically similar to steam‐pelleted diets, and ADCs of nitrogen were unaffected by processing method. No interaction was found between diet type and processing method for DM, energy or nitrogen ADCs. A performance trial indicated that feed intake, weight gain and specific growth rate of fish fed steam‐pelleted diets was greater than those of fish fed extruded diets. Feed conversion and digestible protein efficiency was better in fish fed extruded diets. The results indicated that extruded diets were better utilized than steam‐pelleted diets; however, voluntary intake of extruded diets may have been limited. Fish fed cold‐pelleted SP35 exhibited inferior performance compared with fish fed steam‐pelleted or extruded SP35. Reduced performance of fish fed this diet may relate to poor utilization of digestible protein or reduced palatability. Diets for silver perch with similar formulations to SP35 and 95LC2 should be steam pelleted.     

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) show high digestibility of lipid and fatty acids from marine Schizochytrium sp. and of protein and essential amino acids from freshwater Spirulina sp. feed ingredients

We determined apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of macronutrients, amino acids and fatty acids for freshwater (Spirulina, SPI; Chlorella, CHL) and marine (Schizochytrium, SCI) microalgal ingredients in Nile tilapia via four diets: reference (Ref containing fish and plant feedstuffs) and SPI, CHL and SCI (Ref/dried algal cells at 7:3). ADCs of crude protein were significantly higher in SPI than in CHL, comparing well with literature values for fishmeal and plant feedstuffs. ADCs of all essential amino acids were generally higher in SPI. Very high lysine and methionine ADCs in SPI and SCI were similar to or higher than reported value for plants. SCI had 5–10 times richest lipid and n?3 PUFA contents, significantly highest ADCs for lipid, n?3 and n?6 PUFA; and highest content and digestibility of DHA (undetected in other microalgae). Crude fibre ADCs were significantly higher in Ref and SPI than in SCI and CHL. CHL's highest fibre content (79 g kg^?1) possibly depressed its ADCs of five essential amino acids and n?3 PUFA. Results suggest that SPI is a good alternative protein and SCI a quality fish oil substitute or long‐chain PUFA supplement for tilapia diets.     

Effects of extrusion processing on digestibility of peas, lupins, canola meal and soybean meal in silver perch Bidyanus bidyanus (Mitchell) diets

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of processing on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of legumes and oilseeds for juvenile silver perch, Bidyanus bidyanus (～49 g). The first experiment evaluated interactive effects of ingredients (lupins or field peas), processing (whole seed; hulls on or hulls off) and extrusion cooking (raw or extruded) on ADCs for juvenile silver perch (～4 g fish^?1). The second experiment was a three‐fixed‐factor anova designed to evaluate interactive effects of ingredients (soybean meal or canola meal), extrusion cooking (raw or extruded) and inclusion content (30% or 50% of the diet) on ADCs for juvenile silver perch (～4 g fish^?1). Lupin protein was more digestible than that of peas (ADC for crude protein 91% vs. 85% for peas) but the organic matter was less digestible (ADC for organic matter 50% vs. 67% for peas). Dehulling lupins significantly improved ADCs for all indices (dry matter, organic matter, energy and crude protein), but extrusion had no effect because lupins do not contain starch or heat‐labile anti‐nutrients. Conversely, for starch‐rich peas that contain heat‐labile trypsin inhibitors, both dehulling and extrusion significantly improved ADCs. Digestibility of soybean meal was much higher than that of canola meal. For soybean meal, neither processing, content nor their interaction affected digestibility but extrusion improved ADCs for dry matter, organic matter and energy but there was an interaction with content. Although higher overall, digestibility for these indices declined with increasing content for extruded product while there were only minor effects of inclusion for raw product. Benefits of extrusion were attributed to reductions in anti‐nutrients, including phytic acid. For canola, there were no interactions between extrusion and content for any ADC. Increasing content reduced ADCs for crude protein, dry matter and organic matter but did not effect energy. Surprisingly, extrusion of canola also reduced digestibility for all ADCs. Dehulling improved both lupins and peas. Crude protein for all ingredients was well digested with ingredients ranked: lupins>soybean meal>peas>canola meal. Energy digestibility was best for soybean meal and worst for lupins. Extrusion greatly improved digestibility of peas and to a lesser extent soybean meal, gave no benefits to lupins and was detrimental for canola.     

Use of Nannochloropsis sp. isolated from the East China Sea in larval rearing of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus)

The supply of microalgae to hatcheries is a limiting factor for the mass larval production of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) in Fujian Province, China. In this study, Nannochloropsis sp. isolated from the East China Sea was tested as food for A. japonicus larvae. The first trial compared the effect of mono‐, bi‐ and trialgal diets comprising three microalgae (Chaetoceros muelleri, Dunaliella tertiolecta and Nannochloropsis sp.) on A. japonicus larval growth, survival, settlement and juvenile growth. The results showed that there were no significant differences in survival and settlement between larvae fed with Nannochloropsis sp. and other diets. All diet treatments yielded similar juvenile sea cucumber output. In the second trial, A. japonicus larvae were fed equally four times daily at three different rations (5000, 20 000 and 40 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1). Larvae fed 20 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1 were significantly larger than larvae in other groups and experienced the highest survival rate. In the third trial, A. japonicus larvae were fed 20 000 cells mL^?1 day^?1 in three different frequency (2, 3 and 4 meals day^?1). The greatest body length was observed in larvae that received 3 meals day^?1. Survival and settlement of larvae fed 2 meals day^?1 were significantly lower than other two groups. These results suggest that Nannochloropsis sp. can be used as a diet for the large‐scale production of A. japonicus seed, and larvae fed three times daily at a ration of 20 000 cell mL^?1 day^?1 are recommended for hatchery production of A. japonicus.     

芽孢杆菌对斑节对虾饲料表观消化率的影响

研究了斑节对虾(Penaeus monodon)饲料中添加不同剂量的芽孢杆菌制剂(Bacillus sp.,109 CFU/g)对饲料干物质、粗蛋白、脂肪、磷、氨基酸和脂肪酸的表观消化率的影响.饲料1(对照组)、饲料2、饲料3、饲料4、饲料5和饲料6中芽孢杆菌制剂的添加量分别为0、1.0 g/kg、2.0 g/kg、3.0 g/kg、4.0 g/kg和5.0 g/kg饲料.养殖实验在室外水泥池进行,每池养虾40尾,每组实验设3个重复.以Y2O3为指示剂,添加量为0.01%,连续收集粪便20 d.6个实验组中,对饲料中各营养素的表观消化率分别为:干物质,74.35%～77.89%;粗蛋白,87.29%～89.01%;脂肪,86.46%～89.67%;磷,35.83%～44.17%;必需氨基酸,93.01%～94.04%;非必需氨基酸,91.05%～92.42%;饱和脂肪酸,86.88%～89.95%;单不饱和脂肪酸,90.39%～93.40%;多不饱和脂肪酸 高不饱和脂肪酸,87.97%～91.32%.对照组的脂肪表观消化率高于饲料2、饲料5和饲料6组,但低于饲料3和饲料4组.饲料3组的脂肪和部分脂肪酸的表观消化率最高.对照组的干物质、粗蛋白、氨基酸和磷的表观消化率最低,芽孢杆菌添加量在1.0～3.0 g/kg饲料范围内,随着芽孢杆菌添加量的增加,表观消化率逐渐上升,饲料4组的表观消化率最高,与其他组相比差异显著(P＜0.05),添加量超过3.0 g/kg的各组,随着芽孢杆菌添加量的增加,表观消化率又逐渐下降.实验结果表明,在饲料中添加适量的芽孢杆菌可以显著的提高干物质、粗蛋白、氨基酸和磷的表观消化率.     

Effects of extrusion processing of feed ingredients on apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of extrusion processing on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, energy and minerals in soya bean meal (SBM), barley, corn gluten meal and whole wheat, using rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss as the test species. In addition, availabilities of amino acids were also determined in SBM. Feed ingredients were preconditioned at 89–93 °C and then extruded using a Wenger X‐85 extruder. Nonextruded ingredients were used as is, meaning that they were not preconditioned. The extruded and nonextruded ingredients were mixed with a casein–gelatin reference diet at 3 : 7 ratio prior to determination of ADC values. A total of 135 trout (initial mean body weight 223.4 ± 12.7 g) were stocked into nine 140‐L fibreglass digestibility tanks with 15 fish per tank. Individual tanks were assigned randomly to each of eight diets made from the four ingredients (extruded and nonextruded) plus the reference diet. After faeces were collected in the first week, the diets were switched among tanks, and faeces were collected again after 5‐day acclimation period in the second week. Yttrium oxide was used as the inert marker. Results showed that extrusion processing significantly improved ADCs of dry matter, crude fat and gross energy, and reduced ADCs of crude protein, phosphorus, copper, iron and zinc. Results also showed that the effects of extrusion processing on chemical composition and ADCs of nutrients depended on the ingredients. It is recommended that trace minerals such as copper, iron and zinc be supplemented by an additional 10–20% when rainbow trout diets are extruded because of their reduced bioavailability in plant meal‐based feed ingredients.     

Effects of dietary Nannochloropsis sp. powder and lipids on the growth performance and fatty acid composition of larval and postlarval kuruma shrimp,Marsupenaeus japonicus

The current study evaluated the effects of fish oil replacement with eicosapentaenoic acid‐enriched single‐cell microalgae in the diets of larval and postlarval kuruma shrimp. Experimental diets containing different level of Nannochloropsis sp. powder (10, 40, 70 g/kg) and lipids (2, 8, 10, 14, 35, 58 g/kg) were evaluated. The substitution of fish oil with algal powder significantly improved shrimp growth compared to that in the control group, with the highest final body weight recorded at 70 g/kg in larvae and 40 g/kg in postlarvae. Larvae fed algal lipids with a dry weight percentage in the diet of greater than 10 g/kg showed significantly lower performance than those in the control group. The neutral lipids in the tissue of the postlarvae that had been fed algal lipids had an improved fatty acid profile, as the content of highly unsaturated fatty acids increased compared to that in the other groups. The content of docosahexaenoic acid increased in the tissue, indicating the possible occurrence of the metabolism and accumulation of Nannochloropsis sp. essential fatty acids. Algal powder could replace FO up to 140 g/kg in shrimp diets without compromising growth and FA profiles.     

Cell wall disruption: An effective strategy to improve the nutritive quality of microalgae in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

The rigid cell walls of microalgae may hinder their utilization in fish feeds. The current experiment assessed the correlation between the accessibility of microalgae nutrients and their in vivo digestibility in African catfish. Nannochloropsis gaditana biomass was subjected to physical or mechanical treatments to weaken its cell wall; untreated—no disruption treatment (UNT), pasteurization (PAS), freezing (FRO), freeze‐drying (FRD), cold pasteurization (L40) and bead milling (BEM). Six experimental diets formulated from differently treated and untreated microalgae (at 30% diet inclusion level) were tested on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility (ADCs) in juvenile African catfish. A basal diet (REF) containing no microalgae was used as reference diet. Results showed that biomass gain and feed conversion ratio of fish fed L40 and BEM diets increased by 13% and 11%, respectively, relative to the UNT diet. Additionally, FRD, FRO, L40 and BEM cell wall disruption treatments improved protein digestibility by 0.5%, 5.9%, 8.4% and 16.3%, respectively, compared to the UNT treatment. There was a positive correlation between accessibility of microalgal nutrients and their digestibility in African catfish. Nutrient digestibility of microalgae was dependent on extent of cell disruption. Also, the impact of cell disruption on nutrient digestibility of microalgae differs between African catfish and Nile tilapia.     

Effect of dietary probiotics on apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients of white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Boone

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), lipid, phosphorus (P), essential amino acids (EAA), non‐essential amino acids (NEAA) and fatty acids were determined for white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A probiotic (Bacillus sp.) was used at 0% (diet 1), 0.5% (diet 2), 1.0% (diet 3), 3.0% (diet 4) and 5.0% (diet 5) inclusion rates in experiment diets. Apparent digestibility coefficients was determined using 0.01% Y₂O₃ as an indicator. A total of 300 shrimp (initial mean body weight 11.5±0.6 g) were randomly stocked into fifteen 500‐L outdoor concrete tanks. Faeces were collected from three replicate groups of shrimp three times a day. The ADCs of five diets were: DM, 66.1–69.6%; CP, 80.4–84.7%; lipid, 82.2–84.9%; P, 25.4–28.5%; EAA, 82.0–85.4%; NEAA, 81.5–85.1%; saturated fatty acids (SFA), 79.6–82.4%; monounsaturates (MUFA), 81.6–84.2% and polyunsaturates (PUFA)+highly unsaturates (HUFA), 83.4–86.6%. Apparent digestibility coefficients of DM, CP, lipid, P, amino acids and fatty acids in diet 1 were significantly lower than in other diets (P<0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of P in diets increased as probiotic increased. Apparent digestibility coefficient of lipid in diet 3 was the highest, but the difference was not significant among diets. In general, ADCs of most amino acids and fatty acids were over 80% in all diets, and PUFA+HUFA>MUFA>SFA. The results showed that ADCs of diets supplemented with 10, 30 and 50 g probiotic kg^?1 basal diet were higher than in other diets except lipid, and the difference was significant.     

Investigation of the nutritional requirements of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): apparent digestibility of protein and energy sources

Two experiments were carried out to determine the apparent crude protein (CP), organic matter (OM), fat and gross energy (GE) digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of several protein and energy sources (ingredients) for Australian snapper using the indirect method of determination and collection of faeces by passive settlement. The first experiment determined ADCs for one level of fishmeal (500 g kg^?1 diet), three levels of extruded wheat (200, 300 or 400 g kg^?1 diet) and two levels of fish oil (150 or 250 g kg^?1 diet). The second experiment determined ADCs for two levels each of meat meal or poultry meal (300 or 500 g kg^?1 diet), one level each of haemoglobin powder or blood meal (150 g kg^?1 diet) and one level each of solvent extracted soybean meal or a low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal (300 g kg^?1 diet). Similar ingredients and where appropriate, different inclusion levels were compared using one‐ or two‐way analysis of variance (anova ). Fishmeal was almost completely digested and ADC values ranged between 94.3% and 99.2%. Fish oil was also well digested, with ADC values ranging between 97.6% and 106.0% and was not significantly affected by inclusion level. Linear regression analysis indicated that there was no relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and either CP (ADCs ranged from 100.1% to 105.4%) or fat digestibility (ADCs ranged from 89.1% to 104.4%). However, there was a significant negative linear relationship between the inclusion level of extruded wheat and GE digestibility (GE_ADC=86.51?0.031 × inclusion level; R²=0.49). Two‐way anova indicated that CP, OM and GE ADCs of poultry meal (i.e. 85.9%, 89.7% and 91.3% respectively) were significantly higher than those determined for meat meal (i.e. 63.8%, 63.4% and 71.3% respectively), but ADCs were not affected by inclusion level or the interaction between inclusion level and ingredient type. The fat digestibility coefficients of meat and poultry meal were not significantly different (ADCs ranged from 92.3% to 95.0%). The CP digestibility of haemoglobin powder (95.1%) was significantly higher than that of ring‐dried blood meal (81.6%), but there was no difference between the digestibility of OM (77.0%) or GE (80.4%) from these products. There was no difference between the CP (88.9%), OM (56.9%) and GE (65.6%) digestibility of the solvent extracted soybean meal and the low‐allergenic, cold‐pressed soybean meal. These coefficients will be useful in formulating both practical and research‐based diets for this species.     

Lutein enrichment of the rotifer Brachionus sp. using freeze‐dried Muriellopsis sp. cells

Rotifers, used in aquaculture as feed for early larval stages, are poor in carotenoids compared with copepods, the natural most common prey item of marine fish larvae. A minimal sufficient level of carotenoids in fish larvae may be essential for a correct development. The freshwater microalga Muriellopsis sp. has been identified as a potential source of the carotenoid lutein with possible application in aquaculture. Lutein is a potent antioxidant, with potentially beneficial effects as a carotenoid for fish larvae. This study describes the lutein enrichment of the rotifer Brachionus sp. when incubated with homogeneously dispersed suspensions of freeze‐dried, lutein‐rich Muriellopsis sp. in seawater. A short enrichment time (2 or 2.5 h) resulted in a higher lutein content of the rotifers than a long enrichment time (13.5 or 24 h). Although the concentration of lutein in enriched rotifers, 0.06–0.16 mg (g dry weight)^?1 was low compared with its content in Muriellopsis sp. [about 3 mg (g dry weight)^?1], it was in the range reported for natural copepod populations. Therefore, we conclude that freeze‐dried biomass of Muriellopsis sp. can be used to enrich rotifers with lutein, providing an adequate level of this carotenoid for marine fish larvae.     

Factors affecting nutrient digestibility in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed a plant protein–based diet supplemented with microbial phytase

Factors influencing apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) of nutrients from a plant protein–based diet supplemented with microbial phytase were investigated in a series of experiments with rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The influence of phytase level, water temperature, feed particle size and addition of a protease/non‐starch polysaccharidase (PNSP) enzyme cocktail were tested in a phytase‐supplemented (2000 FTU kg^?1) diet. Finally, the influence of Ca/P ratio, addition of 1,25‐hydroxycholeocalciferol, or inclusion of lactic acid (LA) in diets with and without phytase was evaluated. Addition of microbial phytase improved ADC of dry matter (DM), protein, ash and minerals (P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn) (P < 0.05). Reducing feed particle size potentiated the effect of phytase on P and ash ADC, as did the addition of a PNSP enzyme cocktail; the latter also significantly improved DM ADC in both control and phytase‐supplemented diets. Increasing the Ca/P ratio reduced the effect of phytase on P and ash ADC. Addition of 1,25‐dihydroxycholecalciferol and LA had no effect on DM, P and ash ADC in control diets and tended to reduce the phytase‐induced increase in P ADC.     

Effects of feed processing conditions and acid salts on nutrient digestibility and physical quality of soy‐based diets for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Two experiments were conducted to investigate effects of feed processing conditions and potassium diformate (KDF) supplementation on apparent digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and physical quality of extruded feed. In Exp. 1, diets with raw or expander pretreated full‐fat soybean meal (FFSBM) at 100 or 120 °C were extruded at 110 °C. Expander pretreatment significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of arginine, glutamine and tyrosine in Atlantic salmon. The higher digestibility of expander pretreated FFSBM was confirmed in mink (Mustela vison). In Exp. 2, diets with defatted soybean meal (SBM) were extruded at 110, 130 or 150 °C. The results showed that increasing extrusion temperatures significantly (P < 0.05) improved the digestibility of most major nutrients and amino acids in Atlantic salmon. In general, KDF supplementation to FFSBM and SBM diets did not affect digestibility of nutrients in Atlantic salmon or mink. Expander pretreatment and increasing extrusion temperatures increased pellet expansion, while KDF supplementation reduced pellet expansion.     

Apparent Digestibility of Gross Nutrients from Feedstuffs in Extruded Feeds for Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss

Abstract.— The current experiment was performed to determine apparent protein and energy digestibility coefficients of feed ingredients by the fecal stripping technique using extruded diets. The ingredients tested included five fish meals, three terrestrial animal by‐products, five plant protein concentrates, four plant meals, and seven low‐protein plant ingredients. Protein digestibility differed among fish meals and ranged from 90% for fair and average quality menhaden meal to 97% for anchovy meal. Protein apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) in plant concentrates ranged from a low of 89% for rice protein concentrate to a high of 100% for wheat gluten meal. Apparent protein digestibility was lower in plant meals than fish meals with a low of 70% for flaxseed meal to a high of 89% for soybean meal. Low‐protein plant meals had generally lower protein ADC from 64% for rice bran to 85% for whole wheat. A similar pattern for energy ADCs was observed; ADCs ranged from 106% for anchovy meal to 32% for whole wheat. In the current trial, divergent protein and energy ADC values were obtained most notably in ingredients known to be high in fiber or have very high starch content. The comparability of ingredients/diets processed by cold pelleting or extrusion thus appears questionable at this juncture.     

The growth and apparent digestibility of white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei,are increased with the probiotic,Bacillus subtilis

The aims of this study were to evaluate the probiotic efficiency of Bacillus subtilis E20 (10⁹ colony‐forming units kg^?1) on the growth and apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), amino acids (AAs), and crude lipids (CLs) of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. A control diet without probiotic supplementation was used. Shrimp exhibited significant increases in growth performance and feed utilization after being fed the test diet for 56 days. Shrimp were then used to evaluate the apparent nutrient digestibility using 0.1% Cr₂O₃ in the diet as an indicator. During the trial, faeces was collected from triplicate groups of shrimp twice daily. ADCs of CP and DM in the test diet significantly increased compared to those of the control diet. Although the ADCs of CLs did not significantly differ between the control and probiotic group, the ADC of CLs was higher in the probiotic group than in the control group. In addition, ADCs of most AAs in the test diet were significantly higher compared to those of the control diet. These results suggest that shrimp in the test group had significantly better growth performance, which was due to increases in nutrient digestibility and absorption.     

Effects of animal–plant protein ratio in extruded and expanded diets on nitrogen and energy budgets of juvenile Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis Wiegmann)

In this study, we investigated the effects of animal–plant protein ratio in extruded and expanded diets on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen and energy budgets of juvenile soft‐shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis). Four extruded and expanded feeds (diets 1–4) were formulated with different animal–plant protein ratios (diet 1, 1.50:1; diet 2, 2.95:1; diet 3, 4.92:1; diet 4, 7.29:1). The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and crude lipid for diet 1 were significantly lower than those for diets 2–4. There was no significant difference in crude protein digestibility among diets 1–4. The ADC of carbohydrate was significantly increased with the increase in animal–plant protein. Although nitrogen intake rate, faecal nitrogen loss rate and excretory nitrogen loss rate of turtles fed diet 1 were significantly higher than those fed diets 2–4, nitrogen retention rate, net protein utilization and biological value of protein in these turtles were significantly lower than those fed diets 2–4. In addition, energy intake rate, excretory energy loss rate and heat production rate of turtles fed diet 1 were also significantly higher than those fed diets 2–4. Faecal energy loss was significantly reduced with the increase in the animal–plant protein ratio. The ADC of energy and assimilation efficiency of energy significantly increased with a higher animal–plant protein ratio. The growth efficiency of energy in the group fed diet 1 was significantly lower than those in the groups fed diets 2–4. Together, our results suggest that the optimum animal–plant protein ratio in extruded and expanded diets is around 3:1.     

Effects of extruded and pelleted diets with differing lipid levels on growth,nutrient retention and serum biochemical indices of tilapia (Oreochromis aureus × Tilapia nilotica)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of extruded diets and pelleted diets with varying dietary lipid levels on growth performance and nutrient utilization of tilapia. Six diets, containing three levels of lipid at 40, 60 or 80 g kg^?1 (with the supplemental lipid of 0, 20 or 40 g kg^?1, respectively), were prepared by extruding or pelleting and then fed to tilapia juveniles (8.0 ± 0.1 g) in cages (in indoor pools) for 8 weeks. The results indicated that the fish that were fed the diet with 60 g kg^?1 of lipid had a higher weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), lipid retention (LRE), energy retention (ERE), apparent protein digestibility, apparent dry matter digestibility and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than those fed the diet with 40 g kg^?1 lipid in both the extruded diet and pelleted diet (P < 0.05). As the dietary lipid level increased from 60 to 80 g kg^?1, these parameters were not further improved, even digestibilities of the crude protein and dry matter decreased (P < 0.05). With the dietary lipid level increased, whole‐body lipid content significantly increased (P < 0.05), serum aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) tended to increase (P > 0.05), whereas whole‐body protein content, serum triglyceride (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) and HDL‐C/LDL‐C tended to decrease (P > 0.05). Fish fed with the extruded diets had a higher WG, SGR, hepatosomatic index (HSI), PER, protein retention (PRE), LRE, ERE, TG, apparent digestibility of protein and dry matter, as well as a lower FCR, than those fed with the pelleted diets at the same dietary lipid level (P < 0.05). These results suggested that tilapia fed with the extruded diets had a better growth and higher nutrient utilization than fish fed with the pelleted diets, when dietary lipid level ranged from 40 to 80 g kg^?1 and at dietary crude protein level was 280 g kg^?1. The optimum dietary lipid level was 60 g kg^?1 in both the pelleted and extruded diets, and extrusion did not affect dietary lipid requirement of the tilapia.     

Asexual propagation of the soft corals Sinularia sp., Cladiella sp. and Sarcophyton sp. (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) using different methods of attachment in a recirculating seawater system

Three soft coral cuttings (finger soft coral, Sinularia sp.; black finger soft coral, Cladiella sp. and leather mushroom soft coral, Sarcophyton sp.) were selected to distinguish among the effects of five methods of attachment (adhering, containing, impaling, tethering and a natural attachment method used as a control) in a recirculating seawater system on healing time, time of self‐attachment, development of the cuttings and final survival. Three replicate and 30 cuttings per replicate (n = 30) were used for each treatment and the experimental period was 70 days. The results showed that the cuttings of Sinularia sp., Sarcophyton sp. and Cladiella sp. had already healed the wound area with pigmentation between 7 and 12 days for all the methods of attachment. The shortest time of self‐attachment for the Sinularia sp., Sarcophyton sp., and Cladiella sp. cuttings was obtained in the impaling method, with average values of 8.2 ± 0.9 days, 6.1 ± 0.1 days and 9.00 ± 0.8 days respectively. At the end of the experiment, the highest average final survival values of the Sinularia sp., Sarcophyton sp. and Cladiella sp. cuttings were obtained in the impaling method (86.7 ± 5.7%), the containing method (93.3 ± 5.7%) and the containing method (53.3 ± 5.7%), respectively. It was concluded from the study that the suitable methods of attachment for each soft coral were different and these methods are available for use in targeted propagation farms for restoration purposes.     

Apparent digestibility of soybean coproducts in extruded diets for Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

Soybean coproducts are important protein sources in aquaculture because of their amino acid profile. Tilapia can be reared on soybean coproducts as the only source of dietary protein without compromising growth. This study estimated apparent digestibility coefficients for five soybean coproducts for juvenile Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fed with extruded diets. A reference diet and test diets consisting of 70% reference diet and 30% coproduct ingredient were formulated, along with 5.0 g kg^?1 chromic oxide (Cr₂O₃) as a marker. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for dry matter (ADCDM), gross energy (ADCGE) and crude protein (ADCCP) for soybean coproducts were estimated as 84.2–88.4%, 86.9–91.1% and 96.8–97.9%, respectively. ADCDM and ADCCP values did not vary among the ingredients, but low‐protein soybean meal exhibited lower ADCGE values than did soybean protein concentrate. ADCs of all amino acids were >95%, and mean ADCs for amino acids were similar to the values observed for ADCCP. Soybean coproducts had good nutritional value in extruded diets fed to tilapia. Methionine, histidine and valine were the limiting amino acids in all evaluated ingredients.     

Apparent digestibility of selected feed ingredients in diets for juvenile hybrid tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus

The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus, gross energy and amino acids of 10 selected ingredients for juvenile hybrid tilapia (7.05 ± 0.09 g) were determined using 0.5% Cr₂O₃ as an inert indicator. The feed ingredients tested in this study were corn gluten meal (CGM), corn byproduct, corn germ meal (CG), soybean meal (SBM), fermented soybean meal (FSM), soy protein concentrate (SPC), soy protein isolate, malt sprouts (MS), fish meal (FM) and earthworm meal (EM). The test diets were prepared by incorporation of 30% test ingredients into the reference diet. Reference and test diets were fed to the fish and the faecal samples were collected using a faecal collection column attached to the fish‐rearing tanks. The ADCs for dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid, ash, phosphorus and gross energy were 41.7–98.9%, 90.6–99.6%, 73.1–98.8%, 34.1–98.6%, 49.5–99.6% and 45.4–99.7% respectively. Soy protein isolate, FM and EM had higher dry matter, crude protein and gross energy ADCs. Corn byproduct and EM had higher crude lipid ADCs, and CG and EM had higher phosphorus ADCs. Corn germ meal had the highest ash ADC, while CGM had the highest value for gross energy. The lowest dry matter, crude protein, lipid and gross energy ADCs occurred in MS, while the lowest ash and phosphorus ADCs occurred in SPC. The amino acid ADCs ranged from 83.3% to 100%, exhibiting a positive correlation with crude protein digestibility for a given test ingredient. The feed ingredient digestibility of this study may provide useful information about nutrient and energy utilization to facilitate formulation of least‐cost practical diets for hybrid tilapia.