Effects of dietary protein on growth performance,nutrient utilization,digestive enzymes and physiological status of grey mullet,Mugil cephalus L. fingerlings reared in inland saline water

A 60 days feeding trial was conducted to illustrate the effect of graded levels of protein on the growth and metabolic enzymes of grey mullet (Mugil cephalus L.) fingerlings reared in inland saline water (ISW). Six isoenergetic (16 MJ/kg) and isolipidic (60 g/kg) diets containing 240, 260, 280, 300, 320 and 340 g crude protein (CP)/kg diet were formulated and fed to triplicate. Weight gain %, specific growth rate, protein utilizing efficiency, feed efficiency and RNA:DNA ratio were significantly higher (p < .05) in 320 and 300 g CP/kg diets. Fish fed with 240 g CP/kg diet showed significantly higher (p < .05) feed intake, whole‐body lipid content, hepatosomatic index value and liver glycogen content. Transaminase enzymes and malate dehydrogenase activities were elevated in fish fed 340 g CP/kg diet. Protease activity increased with increasing dietary CP level, but amylase activities showed an inverse relationship. No significant (p > .05) variations were observed for lactate dehydrogenase, oxidative stress enzymes, blood parameters and serum osmolality among all the treatment groups, but red blood cell count increases with increasing dietary CP levels. Based on the results, feeding dietary protein level of 300 g CP/kg is economically viable for rearing of grey mullet in ISW.     

Nutritional evaluation of two marine microalgae as feedstock for aquafeed

Using microalgae for animal nutrition provides an economically viable route for microalgae‐based technological innovation, especially in combination with CO₂ fixation given current global warming. However, this technology still lacks sufficient evaluation for screening microalgae for specific animals; meanwhile, current studies show some prejudice regarding ‘essential’ or ‘non‐essential’ ingredients. The results show that Dunaliella salina and Nannochloropsis salina were able to accumulate high protein (30%–57%) and lipid (20%–46%) content without affecting the performance of CO₂ fixation, which reached 0.28 and 0.23 g L^?1 day^?1 respectively. Both species exhibited high quality of lipids and proteins for Penaeus monodon based on the profiling. The essential fatty acid indexes (EFAI) for N. salina and D. salina were 3.81 and 9.02 respectively. Butyric acid was found to be present in both D. salina (12.03%) and N. salina (4.87%) based on the total fatty acids (FAs). The essential amino acid indexes (EAAI) for D. salina and N. salina were 2.23 and 1.29 respectively. Arginine was the most abundant essential amino acid (EAA) in both D. salina (10.83%) and N. salina (13.35%) on the basis of total amino acids (AAs). This study comprehensively compares the nutritional quality of the two commercial marine microalgae of D. salina and N. salina with the potential to be used as sustainable sources of lipids and proteins to reduce or even replace the traditional fish oil and fish meal in aquafeeds.     

Partial replacement of fishmeal with Clostridium autoethanogenum single‐cell protein in the diet for juvenile black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii)

Clostridium autoethanogenum protein (CAP) is a single‐cell protein derived from ethanol production and may have potential to become a substitute for fishmeal in aquafeeds. A 70‐day feeding trial was conducted with black sea bream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii) (mean initial weight 6.03 ± 0.09 g) to evaluate partial replacement of fishmeal with CAP in diets. Seven isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were formulated with graded levels of CAP (0, 4.85, 9.70, 14.55, 19.40, 38.80 and 58.20%) to replace fishmeal. The inclusion of CAP at all dietary levels tested did not significantly affect the growth performance (p > .05). Fish fed the CAP58.20% diet showed a significantly lower feeding rate, with significantly higher protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio compared with fish fed the other diets (p < .05). No statistical differences were found in dorsal muscle and whole‐body compositions. Total superoxide dismutase in serum of fish fed CAP58.20% diet was significantly lower compared with that of the control. Malondialdehyde, catalase, total antioxidant capacity and digestive enzyme activities revealed no significant differences among dietary treatments. Phosphorus retention efficiency significantly increased, and phosphorus discharge showed a downward trend with increasing CAP inclusion levels. In conclusion, the results indicated that CAP is a safe and effective alternative protein source, which can replace fishmeal in the diet of black sea bream up to 58.20%, without adverse effects on growth performance, antioxidation and digestive enzyme activity. This study has shown the potential of converting industrial waste into a high protein feed ingredient for aquafeeds.     

三种酶制备牡蛎蛋白水解物的抗氧化活性和功能特性分析

目的：比较分析木瓜蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶三种不同酶水解牡蛎获得的蛋白产物抗氧化活性和功能特性。方法：采用木瓜蛋白酶、胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶三种不同酶水解牡蛎蛋白获得水解物,并分别测定它们的在不同pH下的溶解度、乳化性以及不同浓度水解物的还原能力、DPPH自由基清除率和Fe^{2 +}螯合能力。结果：表明三种酶水解物都有较高的溶解度(p＜0.01),胰蛋白酶产生的水解物溶解高度达94.8％(p＜0.05)；水解物溶解度和乳化活性指数在pH4显著降低(p＜0.05)。牡蛎蛋白质水解产物的还原能力、DPPH自由基清除能力和金属螯合活性随浓度的增加而增强,其中胰蛋白酶和胃蛋白酶抗氧化能力较强(p＜0.01)。结论：三种蛋白酶水解牡蛎蛋白可获得抗氧化活性强、溶解度高的水解物,并受浓度和pH的影响,它们的水解物可作为一种潜在的抗氧化功能多肽利用。     

A two-year comparison on nutritive value and yield of eight lucerne cultivars and one red clover cultivar

Red clover (Trifolium pratense) and lucerne (Medicago sativa) are among the most common legume species used for ruminant feeding systems. Besides the greater nutritive quality and first-year ley yield compared to lucerne, red clover decreases its yield over the years. However, under unfavourable soil conditions the persistency of lucerne can be compromised, not performing as expected. This study compared yield and chemical composition of eight lucerne cultivars and one tetraploid red clover cultivar, with similar growth capacity as lucerne, replicated over two years. In the second year, four lucerne cultivars and the red clover cultivar were analysed for crude protein (CP) fractions, dry matter and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) digestibility. A randomized block design was used with three field blocks per cultivar for the multiple comparisons within each year. There were differences in DM yield, concentrations of CP and NDF and CP fractions among the lucerne cultivars, but the differences were inconsistent between years and between growth cycles within year. The red clover cultivar had lower CP and NDF concentrations than a majority of the lucerne cultivars, and greater in vitro organic matter digestibility compared to all of the lucerne cultivars. Also, the red clover cultivar had greater rumen undegradable-to-degradable CP ratio but confirmed its lower yield persistency compared to the lucerne cultivars.     

Effects of germination and kilning on the phenolic compounds and nutritional properties of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus)

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) and kiwicha (Amaranthus caudatus) are nutritious pseudocereals that originate from the Andean region. The aim of this research was to study the effect of germination and the subsequent kilning on the phenolic compounds and proximate composition in selected Peruvian varieties of quinoa (“Chullpi”) and kiwicha (“Oscar Blanco”). The germination process was carried out for 24, 48 and 72 h at 22 °C, and the kilning was performed with samples germinated for 72 h by drying the seeds at 90 °C for 5 min. Both processes increased the protein content of the samples. However, lipid content was reduced during germination. On the other hand, germination and kilning clearly increased the concentration of total phenolic compounds in both quinoa and kiwicha. Germination for 72 h either with or without kilning process resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total content of phenolics compared to untreated materials, which was especially due to coumaric acid and a kaempferol tri-glycoside in quinoa and caffeoylquinic acid in kiwicha. Based on the results, germination and kilning may improve the nutritional quality of the Andean grains, encouraging the usage of the processed grains as ingredients in functional products for people with special gluten-free or vegetarian diets.     

Using vibrational molecular spectroscopy to detect moist heating induced carbohydrates structure changes in cool-climate adapted barley grain

There is limited research to study how moist heating affects internal structure of barley grain on a molecular basis. The objectives of this study were to use vibrational molecular spectroscopy: 1) to determine the moist heating induced changes of barley carbohydrate (CHO) structure on a molecular basis, 2) to study the effects of moist heating on CHO chemical profiles, Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) subfractions, in situ rumen degradation, and predicted intestinal carbohydrate supply of barley grain; and 3) to reveal the association between molecular structure spectral features and CHO related metabolic characteristics. Barley samples (CDC cowboy) were collected from Kernen Crop Research Farm (Saskatoon, Canada) during two consecutive years. Half of each sample was kept as raw barley and the other half underwent moist heating (autoclaving at 120 °C for 60 min). The molecular spectroscopy (attenuated total reflectance-fourier transform infrared, ATR-FTIR) was used to detect the barley CHO related molecular structure spectral features. Moist heating did not affect carbohydrate related chemical profiles and CNCPS subfractions but it decreased rumen degradable carbohydrate. Rumen undegradable and intestinal digestion of CHO subfractions were not affected by moist heating. The advanced vibrational molecular spectroscopy can be used to detect carbohydrate molecular spectral features. Nutrient utilization prediction using molecular spectral characteristics is warranted and further investigation is encouraged.     

田菁种子内生菌的分离及其对萌发的影响

植物-微生物联合修复是改良盐碱地的重要生物策略，其中获得有效的微生物菌株是关键所在。为了获得更多的植物促生菌菌种资源，以滩涂耐盐植物田菁种子为材料分离可培养内生菌。分离纯化得到了79株菌，主要集中分布在Bacillus、Azorhizobium、Cellulosimicrobium三个属。菌株SC45、SC59、SC60、SC24、SC5、SC17六株菌可分泌吲哚乙酸（indole-3-acetic acid，IAA）。SC45、SC59、SC60具有溶解无机磷能力，其中SC60分解无机磷能力最高为（207.9±14.29 ）mg·L-1，且SC45具有产铁载体能力。种子萌发试验结果显示，与对照相比，SC45、SC60、SC59、SC17对田菁种子的活力系数分别可提高13.3%、14.1%、29.9%、26.7%。且SC60和SC17菌株浸种可显著促进胚根的发育，胚根占比提高了29.5%和13%。上述结果表明，Bacillus SC60可分泌IAA和溶解无机磷，提高种子活力，促进胚根发育，可作为田菁促生菌应用于农业生产。     

Soluble Klotho protein suppresses THP-1-derived foam cell formation

AIMTo investigate the role of soluble Klotho protein in THP-1-derived foam cell formation. METHODSTHP-1 monocytes were induced into macrophages by treatment with 160 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate for 48 h, and then were divided into 6 groups: negative control group (THP-1-derived macrophages), positive control group [THP-1-derived foam cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) for 48 h], and 25, 50, 100 and 200 μg/L soluble Klotho protein groups (THP-1-derived macrophages pretreated with soluble Klotho protein at the indicat?ed concentraions for 2 h and then induced by ox-LDL for 48 h). Lipid droplets in cytoplasm were observed by oil red O staining. The cholesterol outflow rate was detected by scintillation counting technique. The content of intracellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester was detected by enzyme fluorescence analysis. The expression of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） and ATP-binding cassette transport?er A1 (ABCA1) at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTSOil red O staining and lipid mass quantification showed that THP-1-derived foam cell formation was dose-dependently suppressed by soluble Klotho protein. The cholesterol efflux rate of THP-1-derived foam cells was increased by soluble Klotho protein in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). In addition, soluble Klotho protein decreased the expression of ACAT1 and increased the expression of ABCA1 in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The soluble Klotho protein inhibits THP-1-derived foam cell formation in a dose-dependent manner by down-regulating the expression of ACAT1 and up-regulating the expression of ABCA1.