皱纹盘鲍内脏酶的酶学性质及褐藻胶裂解酶的分离纯化

采用(NH4)2SO4分段盐析、透析、阴离子(DEAE-52)交换柱层析、SephadexG-200凝胶柱层析等分离纯化技术，通过SDS-PAGE电泳分析了皱纹盘鲍内脏酶的组成，结果表明鲍内脏酶主要含有两种褐藻胶裂解酶Ⅰ, Ⅱ，一种纤维素酶，一种琼脂酶。对酶的酶学性质分析结果表明两种褐藻胶裂解酶Ⅰ, Ⅱ的最适pH分别为8.6, 7.2，最适温度为35 ℃，分子量分别为35.2 ku, 67 ku；两种褐藻胶裂解酶的热稳定性比较差，且易受金属离子影响；纤维素酶的最适pH为5.0，最适温度为40 ℃。并确定了皱纹盘鲍内脏酶分离纯化的方法及参数，为进一步研究鲍内脏复合酶的性能提供了基础参数。图14表3参12 关键词：皱纹盘鲍； 褐藻胶裂解酶； 纤维素酶； 纯化 E-mail：wqk320@dlfu.edu.cn     

褐藻胶裂解酶产生菌的发酵优化研究

以筛选的羊栖菜腐败菌系不动杆菌属X8菌株为研究对象,对其产褐藻胶裂解酶的发酵培养条件进行优化研究.结果表明,该菌株最适液体培养基组成为(m/V):0.6%褐藻酸钠,0.7%蛋白胨,0.2% KH_2PO_4,0.2 % NaCl,初始pH 7.0.该菌株于25 ℃,150 r/min 振荡培养16 h后,褐藻胶裂解酶酶活可达157.32 U/ml,较优化前提高了1.59倍.Mg~(2+)、Ca~(2+)和Fe~(2+)对菌株产酶有一定的抑制作用.     

九孔鲍褐藻酸酶降解褐藻胶的反应条件与酶解产物的分析

以九孔鲍(Haliotis diversicoloeaquatilis)为原料制备一定纯度的褐藻酸酶,并对影响其降解褐藻胶的条件和产物的性质进行分析。该酶的最适温度和pH分别为45℃和7.0;与磷酸盐缓冲液相比,其在Tris-HCl缓冲液中与底物的亲和力相对较高。动力学曲线表明酶解反应主要发生在1 h之内,在2 h之内达到平衡,酶的剂量和底物的浓度对该平衡起到一定的影响作用。反应2 h之后,添加同数量的酶或者底物发现,产物的反馈抑制只是反应达到平衡的一个影响因素,而酶的变性失活也起到了重要的作用。金属离子对酶的活性具有明显的影响,Co2 、Mg2 对酶的活性具有较强的促进作用,而Cu2 、Ag 和Zn2 则具有较强的抑制作用。产物特性黏度的变化主要是在1 h内,2 h后基本不再改变。1HNMR图谱分析发现随着聚甘露糖片段,特别是M-M二聚体的降解,MG二聚体、GGM和MGM三聚体的量相应增多,表明该酶属于甘露糖裂解酶(EC 4.2.2.3)。     

海洋细菌来源低温褐藻胶裂解酶的分泌表达和酶学性质研究

为了筛选稳定性较好的低温褐藻胶裂解酶,本研究进行了海洋细菌分离鉴定、酶的编码基因克隆与分析、酶分泌表达与纯化、不同因素对酶活力和稳定性的影响以及酶解产物分析实验。结果显示,用以褐藻胶为唯一碳源的平板,筛选出一株能分泌低温褐藻胶裂解酶的海洋细菌SJ-H-12,基于16S rDNA序列构建进化树,该菌株鉴定为Yangia sp. SJ-H-12。进而克隆酶的编码基因Alyya,ALYYA属于PL5家族褐藻胶裂解酶。将基因在食品级宿主解脂耶氏酵母(Yarrowia lipolytica)中进行分泌表达,重组ALYYA的活力达到34.2 U/mL,分子量约为39.0 kDa,具有较强的PolyM偏好性。ALYYA在25℃~35℃时表现出80%以上的活力,且在30℃时表现出最高活力;在pH为5.0~10.0的范围内稳定性较好,孵育后剩余超过60%的活力;0~2.0 mol/L的NaCl能明显激活ALYYA的活力。ALYYA降解褐藻胶的产物主要是二糖,另有少部分单糖和三糖,该酶是一种内切褐藻胶裂解酶。综上所述,本研究筛选到一株产低温褐藻胶裂解酶细菌,所产ALYYA是典型的低温褐藻胶裂解酶,具有优良的酶活力和稳定性。本研究为低温褐藻胶裂解酶的筛选和开发利用提供了参考数据。     

褐藻胶裂解酶研究进展

近年来随着海洋药物的蓬勃发展,海藻多糖的研究日益受到重视,褐藻胶便是其中之一。褐藻胶具有广泛的应用价值,褐藻胶降解物具有很强的生物活性,以酶法降解褐藻胶为代表的生物降解取代传统的化学降解已成趋势,因此褐藻胶裂解酶的研究生产有着深远的理论意义和应用价值。本文从酶的分类和来源、底物专一性和作用方式、酶的性质、酶活力测定方法、产酶菌株及酶系以及酶的应用6个方面综述了褐藻胶裂解酶的研究进展。收稿日期:19991227作者简介:刘　岩,(1971-),女,山东济南人,青岛海洋大学博士研究生.1　褐藻胶裂解酶的分类及来源1.1　褐藻胶裂解…     

海带多糖清除氧自由基的活性及机理

通过比较不同分子量和化学组成的海带硫酸多糖和褐藻胶的清除氧自由基的活性,探讨了海带多糖清除氧自由基活性的构效关系和作用机理。研究发现,分子量为6~15 ku、糖醛酸含量20.4%的低硫组分F-A2清除自由基活性羟基自由基和超氧阴离子自由基活性高于大分子量的组分F-A和F-B,而高硫低分子量组分清除氧自由基的活性非常低。酶降解得到的低分子量褐藻胶组分清除自由基活性随分子量的降低而升高,明显高于其他硫酸多糖,说明硫酸根对低分子量糖与自由基的反应有阻碍,而多糖中糖醛酸含量越高,清除自由基活性越好。大分子量的海带硫酸多糖经铜离子和H₂O₂反应产生的羟基自由基氧化降解以后,直接可以得到两个比较集中的低分子量岩藻聚糖硫酸酯Fa2(分子量为7 ku)和Fa1(分子量为1 ku),其化学组成和清除自由基活性的比较说明自由基首先降解糖醛酸含量高的硫酸糖片断,甘露糖、半乳糖和葡萄糖形成的糖苷键很容易被自由基氧化降解,而高硫高岩藻糖部分不易被自由基水解,研究结果说明,海带多糖的抗氧化活性不仅与分子量和硫酸根含量有关,糖醛酸、岩藻糖含量和糖链上中性糖的组成对多糖的清除自由基活性都有影响。     

基于酶技术生产低黏度及超低黏度褐藻胶的工艺

为解决当前低黏度及超低黏度褐藻胶生产工艺中存在的不足,本实验以海带为原料,利用褐藻胶裂解酶降解制备低黏度及超低黏度褐藻胶,研究了分子量、p H、温度对黏度的影响,确定了碱消化的最佳条件,探究了酶解工艺中加酶量、酶解时间及原料的初始黏度对褐藻胶产品的影响。结果显示,通过控制加酶量(100~500 U/g),酶解30 min即可得到低黏度及超低黏度褐藻胶,其中加酶量为100~330 U/g时可得到低黏度褐藻胶,加酶量增加至330~500 U/g时,可得到超低黏度褐藻胶,且酶解法得到的褐藻胶样品分子量均一度高,工艺节水率高达10%~50%;同时研究发现酶解样品黏度与原料初始黏度相关性不大,只在较短时间内表现出相关性,该工艺具有较高的原料适用性。     

美国红鱼血清溶菌酶性质及其应用

用硫酸铵沉淀法对美国红鱼(Sciaenops ocellatus)血清溶茵酶进行初提,采用分光光度法研究pH和温度对该溶茵酶活力的影响,同时研究溶茵酶在高温条件下的稳定性及金属离子对其活性的影响.并试验该溶茵酶对奥尼罗非鱼生长和存活的影响.结果表明,美国红鱼血清溶茵酶的最适pH为6.84,最适温度为31℃;该酶在60℃以下活性稳定;Cd2 、Pb2 、Ag 、Mn2 等对美国红鱼血清溶茵酶具有非常明显的抑制作用,而Ca2 和Na 对美国红鱼血清溶茵酶具有激活作用.结果有助于该酶活力测定条件的进一步完善.以有效地测定鱼体非特异性免疫水平.同时发现用该溶茵酶处理奥尼罗非鱼,可提高其成活率.     

杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种PCR检测方法的建立

杀鲑气单胞菌(Aeromonas salmonicida)是一种重要的鱼类致病菌,可以感染多种海淡水鱼类。杀鲑气单胞菌包括5个亚种,目前常用的生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列分析方法很难实现亚种的快速精确区分。为实现杀鲑气单胞菌亚种的快速鉴定和检测,针对我国常见的杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种(A. salmonicida subsp. salmonicida)和杀日本鲑亚种(A. salmonicida subsp. masoucida),本研究开发了其特异性的PCR检测方法。根据Gene Bank已公布的杀鲑气单胞菌基因组信息,选择杀鲑亚种phoB基因和杀日本鲑亚种LOC111476736基因作为目标基因,根据其序列设计特异性引物,进一步对PCR反应的退火温度、引物浓度、dNTPs浓度、Mg2+浓度和酶浓度5个方面进行了优化,并测试了该方法的特异性、敏感性和应用效果。结果显示,2对引物分别可以扩增出杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种522 bp的phoB特异性基因片段和杀日本鲑亚种515 bp的LOC111476736特异性基因片段。杀鲑亚种特异性引物最适退火温度为64 ℃,10 µmol/L引物、2 mmol/L dNTPs、25 mmol/L MgSO4和1 U/µL KOD酶的最适添加量分别为1.5、2、1.5和0.5 µL。杀日本鲑亚种特异性引物最适退火温度为64 ℃,10 µmol/L引物、2 mmol/L dNTPs、25 mmol/L MgSO4和1 U/µL KOD酶的最适添加量分别为0.75、1、1.5和0.5 µL。以鳗弧菌(Vibrio anguillarum)、美人鱼发光杆菌(Photobacterium damselae)、杀鱼爱德华氏菌(Edwardsiella piscicida)、杀鲑气单胞菌其他亚种等14种其他水产病原菌或常见环境菌为模板进行PCR检测,均无特异性条带。该方法对杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种的检测灵敏度为12.8 CFU/反应(菌体)或17.6 fg/反应(DNA),对杀鲑气单胞菌杀日本鲑亚种的检测灵敏度为23.8 CFU/反应(菌体)或27.2 fg/反应(DNA)。利用杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种分别对大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)进行人工感染实验,感染后取病鱼组织进行PCR检测,结果显示,本方法可以从感染后的大菱鲆中分别检测到相应病原。综上所述,本研究建立了杀鲑气单胞菌杀鲑亚种和杀日本鲑亚种的特异性PCR检     

奥尼罗非鱼5种组织中4种同工酶的研究

用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶垂直梯度凝胶电泳法对奥尼罗非鱼肾脏、肝脏、眼睛、肌肉和心脏等5种组织的酯酶(EST)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)进行了初步研究,并分析了这4种酶的同工酶位点及酶谱表型。结果表明:奥尼罗非鱼的4种同工酶系统具有明显的组织特异性;EST由7个基因位点编码;LDH酶带多于大多数硬骨鱼典型的5条酶带;MDH和SOD都具有线粒体型和上清液型2种类型。     

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.