Breeding perennial grasses for forage usage: An experimental assessment of trait changes in diploid perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cultivars released in the last four decades

Breeding to improve perennial grasses for forage usage aims to increase the whole-plant aerial biomass. However, the ability to increase the whole-plant yield by breeding may be questionable in grasses which are expected to reach an optimal leaf area index during grass stand growth rather rapidly. We carried out a field experiment aiming to compare herbage yield and other performances of seven natural populations and 21 cultivars of diploid perennial ryegrass registered on European National lists in the last 40 years. Cultivars were sampled in the spike emergence earliness range used for pasture usage, i.e. in the semi-late and late earliness range according to the French classification into spike emergence earliness groups. Forage performances of populations and cultivars were tested in four locations in monthly cut dense sward plots. Morphological and phenological traits were recorded in two spaced-plant experiments, and seed yield was assessed in two locations in standard seed production conditions. Trait regression on cultivar registration year pointed out that total dry-matter yield of cultivars increased by +3.2% per decade. However, dry-matter yield was not improved in the most favourable period for grass growth, i.e. in spring. On the other hand, it was improved in summer (+2.8% per decade) and autumn (+7.4% per decade) when the aerial biomass production is on average rather small. Breeders succeeded in significantly reducing aftermath heading. Reduction in aftermath heading is likely to have contributed to the noted increase in summer and autumn dry-matter yields, and to a moderate improvement in herbage feeding value. Breeding was also efficient in improving rust resistance and in bringing forward the start of spring growth. For monthly cut swards, we evidenced a clear association of leaf and lamina lengths with spring and summer dry-matter yields. Breeding for long leaves, or for high leaf elongation rate, should contribute to improve the cumulated intercepted radiation during re-growths, and consequently could be a way of improving the spring dry-matter yield. Seed yield did not improve with breeding for forage performances. However, we did not notice any negative association between the seed yield and traits related with forage usage. Direct selection pressures on seed yield criteria applied at the core of the breeding process should enable to improve the seed yield without any negative impact on forage performances.     

Grow‐out culture of abalone Haliotis tuberculata coccinea Reeve,fed land‐based IMTA produced macroalgae,in a combined fish/abalone offshore mariculture system: effect of stocking density

Haliotis tuberculata coccinea has been identified as a target species for European aquaculture development, in order to fulfil the rising demand for abalone. The effects of different stocking densities on the growth performance, feed utilization and survival of two different initial size groups (30 and 40 mm) of abalones, during the final grow‐out to cocktail/market size (45–60 mm), were determined over a 6‐month period. Trials were performed in abalone cages installed in a commercial open‐sea cages fish farm. Animals were fed the red algae Gracilaria cornea and the green one Ulva rigida, both obtained from a land‐based integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture system. Survival rates were very high (94–98%) regardless the density employed. Sustained high linear growth was recorded both in shell and weight. However, a 17–19% reduction in weight gain was obtained by doubling the initial stocking density, suggesting a higher competition for space or food. Nevertheless, the high growth performance (70–94   μm day^?1; 250–372% weight gain) and survival attained, even at high densities, denoted the suitability of the offshore mariculture system as well as the biofilter produced macroalgae for grow‐out culture of H. tuberculata coccinea that overall could reach cocktail/commercial size in only 18–22 months.     

Dietary probiotic supplementation in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared under cage culture production: effects on growth,fish welfare,flesh quality and intestinal microbiota

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary probiotic supplementation on growth performance, fish welfare, sensory evaluation, freshness during ice storage and changes in intestinal microbiota of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The 9‐week feeding trial was conducted in cages under commercial conditions during the winter season, when water temperature decreased from 14°C to 7°C. Fish were fed either a diet without probiotic supplementation (control) or with 0.2% (2 × 10⁹ CFU kg^?1 diet) of multi‐strain probiotic bacteria (Bacillus sp., Pediococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Lactobacillus sp.). Fish weight was recorded at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 9 weeks. Growth performance was not affected by dietary probiotic supplementation. Alternative complement activity (ACH50) was significantly higher in fish fed the diet with probiotic (58.4 ± 3.7 units mL^?1) than in the control group (46.9 ± 3.1 units mL^?1) (P = 0.03). Several biochemical markers were altered by the dietary treatment. 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) (P < 0.01), glutathione S‐transferase (GST) (P < 0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (P < 0.05) increased and lipid peroxidation (LP) (P < 0.01) decreased with dietary probiotic supplementation. Flesh quality and shelf‐life of fish stored on ice was not affected by dietary probiotic supplementation. Probiotic supplementation had a limited effect on the intestinal microbiota. Signal strength of the observed operational taxonomic units (OTUs) differed between the control and treatment samples and could indicate variations in the abundance of certain OTUs. Microbiota adhering to the intestinal mucus varied between sampling points, indicating that changes were associated with water temperature.     

Yeast extract on growth,nutrient utilization and haemato‐immunological responses of Nile tilapia

Dietary supplementation (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80 g kg^?1) of a nucleotide source (NuPro^®) was evaluated on growth, nutrient utilization, haemato‐immunological responses and resistance to experimental infection of Nile tilapia. Fish (2.63 ± 0.63 g) were fed experimental diets to satiation three times a day for 75 days. Feed intake increased linearly with increasing levels of NuPro^® promoting higher weight gain (P < 0.05). Survival, feed conversion and protein retention were not affected. Following the growth trial, fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila by intraperitoneal injection. Survival and innate immune responses (phagocytosis and lysozyme activity) were not significantly affected. However, among the haematological variables, thrombocyte, leucocyte and monocyte counts increased linearly (P < 0.05). The indirect measurement of digestibility in juvenile Nile tilapia (122.32 ± 11 g) indicated a linear decrease in protein (1.41%), dry matter (5.72%) and energy (4.10%) digestibility coefficients as dietary supplementation increased (P < 0.05). NuPro^® showed to be a beneficial additive to be supplemented in diets for juvenile Nile tilapia, providing 32.8% increase in feed intake and 28.8% in weight gain, as well as in thrombocyte, leucocyte and monocyte counts in blood, possibly indicating a more efficient defence response in the highest dietary supplementation levels tested.     

The Effects of Natural Antioxidant Extract Isolated from Giant Red Shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) Shells on Fatty Acid Profiles of Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) During Refrigerated Storage

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of natural antioxidant extract isolated from the shells of giant red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) on the changes in fatty acid profile of anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) during refrigerated storage (2.7°C). Total antioxidant activity of shell extract was determined as 45.84%, total phenolic compound as 17.87 mg/100 g shell, and total carotenoid content in shell as 20.31 mg/100 g shell. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in the control group and the group with 0.1% shell extract addition were found to be affected by the duration of storage (p < 0.05). A percentage increase was determined in MUFA content, while decreases were observed in PUFA content. No statistically significant change was detected in SFA, MUFA, and PUFA contents of groups with added butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 0.5% of shell extract (p > 0.05). It was concluded that the extract isolated from shrimp shells could be used during the cold storage of fish fillets instead of synthetic antioxidants.     

Determination of the Tissue Distribution of PPO on Caramote Prawn (Melicertus kerathurus,Forskal, 1755) and Jinga Shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis,H. Milne Edwards, 1837) Caught from Izmir

Tissue distribution of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was studied in caramote prawn (Melicertus kerathurus) and jinga shrimp (Metapenaeus affinis) postmortem. Activity was analyzed in different tissues: the head (cephalothorax + carapace), carapace, exoskeleton of the abdomen, pereopods, and maxillipeds, individually. Based on the results, PPO activity of jinga shrimp was determined to be higher than caramote prawn during the research period. Partial tissue distribution showed that the highest activity was determined in carapace by using 70% ammonium sulfate fractions. Partial tissue distribution was also used to determine the spread of black spots. In addition, comparison between the PPO levels of caramote prawn and jinga shrimp was performed. The importance of these species is their economic value. However, there is no available data in the literature about caramote prawn and jinga shrimp. The determined data showed us that using antioxidant chemicals would be suitable for jinga shrimp.     

Quality Changes During Salt-Curing of Cod (Gadus morhua) at Different Temperatures

ABSTRACT

The main aim of this study was to assess the quality changes and their causes during cod salt-curing for up to 76 days at different temperatures and a relative humidity below 80%. Salt-curing made the fish more yellow (L*a*b* scale), a color change that is more easily detected in sensory analysis against a cream color scale. Intense proteolytic breakdown took place at 12 and 18°C, leading to a greater proteolysis degree and a higher pH. A red surface discoloration of the flesh was apparent after 76 days at 18°C due to the high number of red-halophilic bacteria. These bacteria were also responsible for the highest intensity of “off”-odors and mucus obtained under these conditions. Cod salt-curing should be done below 12°C to reduce the spoilage activity of halophilic bacteria and is best done at chill temperature (close to 6°C) to obtain a good quality product.     

Fatty Acids Profile,Atherogenic, Thrombogenic,and Polyene Lipid Indices in Golden Grey Mullet (Liza aurata) and Gold Band Goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) from Mediterranean Sea

ABSTRACT

The aim of this work was to study the seasonal variations of the proximate compositions, fatty acids contents, and related lipid indices (atherogenic index [AI], thrombogenic index [TI], and polyene index [PI]) of golden grey mullet (Liza aurata) and gold band goatfish (Upeneus moluccensis) caught from the northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Proximate compositions and fatty acid contents of both fish species showed statistically significant seasonal variations (p < 0.05). The lipid contents were highest in autumn and lowest in winter in golden grey mullet and gold band goatfish. The main saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), palmiteoleic acid (C16:1n-7), oleic acid (18:1n-9c), arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5n-3), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6n-3). The total polyunsaturated fatty acids in gold band goatfish did not show any differences among the seasons, whereas that in golden grey mullet was highest in winter. Levels of EPA, DHA, and n-3/n-6 ratios, as well as AI, TI, and PI, were significantly changed among seasons. The results show that golden grey mullet and gold band goatfish, which are among the important fish in Turkey and of commercial value, are a good source for human consumption in terms of their nutritional quality.     

Effect of Soluble CO2 Stabilization on the Quality of Fillets from Farmed Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) and European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

ABSTRACT

Soluble gas stabilization (SGS) is a relatively recent methodology of active packaging that has been proposed to extend the shelf life of packaged fish. The aim of the present work was to study the effect of SGS applied at different extents (2 bars: 30 and 60 min) on the shelf life of sea bream and sea bass fillets packed in air during chilled storage. Quality changes were evaluated by sensory assessment, microbiological analysis (TVC), TBARs, pH value, TVB-N, and TMA-N. No significant extension of sensory shelf life was visible as a function of SGS treatment. The treatment of fillets in CO₂ at 2 bars during 60 min had a positive effect on the microbiological shelf life of both species. On the other hand, TMA-N and TVB-N showed similar changes during storage period and were not affected by the CO₂ treatment. Sea bream treated with SGS always presented higher TBARs than control samples. Nevertheless, oxidation of sea bream and in particular, of sea bass fillets, did not appear to be a significant problem during chilled storage.     

Feasibility Study of a Fish By-Product Recovery Plant with a Processing Capacity of 1,000 kg/Day

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the feasibility of producing hamburger, silage, and leather using fish by-products in a medium-sized recovery plant with total capacity of processing up to 1,000 kg/day of whole fish. The average volume of fish by-products generated daily was 673 kg. The investment necessary to introduce these three technologies was US$47,193.13 in 1 year. The average cost to produce 1 kg of hamburger, silage, and leather was 1.24, 0.17, and US$1.77, respectively. The return of the investment was 56.16%, and the net present value US$570,582.16. The investment pay back was realized in 3.88 years, with a benefit/cost relationship of 1.31. For all the studied scenarios, sale price variations most influenced the economical parameters analyzed.