Effects of natural feeding stimulants and glutamic acid supplementation on the feed intake,growth performance and digestive enzyme activities of red sea bream (Pagrus major) fed fish meal‐free soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based diet

Two experiments were conducted for red sea bream (Pagrus major). In experiment 1, the optimum level of glutamic acid and natural feeding stimulants to enhance feed intake were determined and found that glutamic acid level of 0.5% and fish meat hydrolysate (FMH) were effective. In experiment 2, fish were fed with soy protein concentrate (SPC)‐based diet with synthetic feeding stimulants (Basal diet), the Basal diet with FMH (FMH diet), the FMH diet with glutamic acid (FMHG diet) and with fish meal diet (FM diet) as a control until satiation for 8 weeks. Feed intake of FMHG‐fed fish was significantly higher than others (p < 0.05). Specific growth rate and the feed conversion ratio of FMHG were comparable to those of FM‐fed fish (p > 0.05). Relative visceral fat ratio and crude lipid content of any SPC‐based diet‐fed fish tended to be lower than those of FM diet‐fed fish. There were no significant differences in trypsin and lipase activities hepatopancreas among treatments. SPC can be utilized as a sole protein source in a diet for red sea bream. The lower growth performance in SPC‐based diet‐ fed fish was not due to poor digestive enzyme secretion but could be associated with lipid utilization disorder.     

Effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on zootechnical performance,haematological parameters and sperm quality of lebranche mullet Mugil liza

The feed provided to breeding fish is one of the main factors influencing the quality of fish gametes. This study was carried out to evaluate the influence of ascorbic acid on growth, haematological parameters and sperm quality of Lebranche mullet males (Mugil liza). Six diets with different levels of ascorbic acid (0; 53; 107; 216; 482 and 708 mg/kg) were tested in triplicate for 75 days. During spermiation (first gonadal maturation), 144 individuals (205.7 ± 11.5 g and 25.7 ± 0.4 cm) were randomly distributed in 18 experimental tanks. Growth parameters were evaluated at the beginning and end of the experiment. Fish blood was collected to analyse glucose, total protein and erythrocyte count (EC) (n = 9). Fish (n = 12) from each treatment were euthanized to determine hepatosomatic index (HSI) and gonadosomatic index (GSI). Semen was collected to evaluate spermatic density, cell membrane integrity and sperm motility. No difference (p > .05) was found on growth parameters, GSI, HSI and total protein. However, EC was lower in fish fed without ascorbic acid (the control group). Ascorbic acid supplementation provided positive effects on sperm characteristics. Fish from treatments with 53 and 107 mg/kg presented the best results for motility time (133.30 ± 4.25 and 135.00 ± 2.77 respectively). Treatments with 107, 216 and 708 mg/kg provided the best results for motility rate (92.0 ± 2.9%, 93.0 ± 5.8% and 93.0 ± 5.8% respectively). Supplementation with 107 and 216 mg/kg provided the best results for plasma membrane integrity (70.12 ± 9.10% and 76.3 ± 3.1% respectively). Lower spermatic density was observed in fish without ascorbic acid supplementation, although no difference was found in sperm density among the treatments with ascorbic acid (p < .05). Considering these results, supplementation of dietary ascorbic acid between 107 and 216 mg/kg optimizes the spermatic quality in males of lebranche mullet.     

Possible involvement of PKC/MAPK pathway in the regulation of GnRH by dietary arachidonic acid in the brain of male tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis

Our previous studies have indicated that dietary arachidonic acid (ARA) significantly affects the gonadal steroidogenesis in the marine teleost tongue sole Cynoglossus semilaevis, and this effect was more positive in male fish than in female fish (Aquaculture, 468, 378–385). As a following up study, the present study was further aimed at investigating the possible mechanisms in the brain mediating the effects of dietary ARA on gonadal steroidogenesis. A 70‐day feed trial was repeated with two‐year‐old tongue sole, using three experimental diets with graded levels of ARA, 0.34%, 2.53%, and 9.63% of total fatty acids. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 23 fish (15 males and 8 females). The results confirmed the positive effect of dietary ARA on testosterone production in male fish. The concentration of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) in serum responded to dietary ARA in a similar pattern with the testosterone concentration, but the concentration of gonadotrophin in serum was not affected by dietary ARA. The response of gene expression of PKCβ, ARRB1, ARRB2, ERK2 and ATF3 in the brain to dietary ARA was in good agreement with those of GnRH and testosterone, indicating the possible involvement of PKC‐ARRB‐ERK‐ATF3 pathway in signalling transduction of GnRH. However, the PI3K/Akt and TLR/NF‐κB pathways may not be directly involved in the regulation of GnRH metabolism by ARA. This is the first study reporting the possible involvement of PKC/MAPK pathways in regulation of reproductive endocrine processes by long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in brain of marine fish.     

Disinfection of almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) eggs: Evaluation of three chemicals

Almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana Valenciennes) is an excellent candidate for aquaculture due to its fast growth rate and high market value. While S. rivoliana have adapted well to captivity, survival at early life stages can be improved to increase profitability during production. A wide range of variables cause larval mortalities but high bacterial loads in rearing tanks are often correlated with these losses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of egg disinfection on bacterial load and hatch rate of S. rivoliana. Disinfectants tested included formalin (F100 and F200; 100 and 200 mg/L, respectively, for 60 min), hydrogen peroxide (HPO; 300 mg/L for 10 min) and peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide (PAA/HPO; 15.7 mg/L/39.6 mg/L for 1 min). Concentrations and contact times were determined based on current use in marine aquaculture and preliminary trials. Eggs treated with HPO and F100 had significantly higher hatch rates than the untreated control group. All treatments significantly decreased total Vibrio counts compared to untreated eggs; however, total bacterial counts were only decreased following treatments with PAA/HPO and F200. To prevent egg mortality due to bacterial overgrowth, consideration should be given to the use of surface disinfection using HPO or F100. Future studies should investigate the use of peracetic‐based products at lower doses.     

大菱鲆幼鱼对饲料中泛酸最适需求量的研究

为研究大菱鲆(Scophthalmus maximus)幼鱼对泛酸的最适需求量，在基础配方中添加不同梯度的泛酸钙，制成6组泛酸含量分别为6.24、10.64、15.02、23.81、41.40和76.57 mg/kg等氮等能实验饲料，投喂初始体重为(24.73±0.10) g的大菱鲆幼鱼80 d。结果显示：1)泛酸对幼鱼成活率(SR)无显著影响(P>0.05)，10.64~76.57 mg/kg饲料组增重率(WGR)和特定生长率(SGR)显著提高(P< 0.05)；泛酸含量超过23.81 mg/kg时，肝体比(HSI)显著降低(P<0.05)；2)随着饲料中泛酸含量的提高，全鱼粗蛋白、粗脂肪和肌肉粗蛋白均呈先升后降趋势，肝脏脂肪含量显著下降(P<0.05)；3)肠道消化酶、Na+, K+-ATPase和肝脏胆碱酯酶(ChE)活力随泛酸添加量的增加呈先上升后下降趋势，10.64~76.57 mg/kg饲料组肠道肌酸激酶(CK)活力显著提高(P<0.05)；4)血清、肝脏中过氧化氢酶(CAT)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力均呈先升后降趋势；6.24 mg/kg饲料组血清丙二醛(MDA)含量显著高于其他5组(P<0.05)；5)随泛酸含量的增加，肝脏脂肪合成酶(FAS)基因表达量先升后降，脂蛋白酯酶(LPL)基因表达量显著上升(P<0.05)。研究表明，饲料中添加适宜的泛酸能显著增强大菱鲆幼鱼肠道消化、吸收能力和机体抗氧化能力，并可提高脂肪代谢相关基因的表达水平，从而提高其生长性能。以增重率为判据，经折线模型拟合得出，初体重为24.73 g的大菱鲆幼鱼对泛酸的需求量为16.08 mg/kg饲料。     

二丁基羟基甲苯对雨生红球藻虾青素和油脂积累的影响

以雨生红球藻(Haematococcus pluvialis)为对象，研究高光照、缺氮条件下，外源添加不同浓度的二丁基羟基甲苯(Butylated hydroxytoluene, BHT)对雨生红球藻生长、虾青素积累、油脂合成、脂肪酸组成、碳水化合物、蛋白含量以及虾青素和脂肪酸合成相关酶基因的影响。结果显示，添加不同浓度的BHT后，2 mg/L BHT添加组虾青素积累量为最高，显著高于其他实验组和对照组(P<0.05)，达到31.66 mg/g，是对照组的1.87倍。油脂含量达45.56%，高于同期对照组(39.06%)，脂肪酸组成变化不显著。在此条件下，虾青素合成关键酶基因dxs和bkt表达水平分别是对照组的5.19倍和2.04倍；脂肪酸合成关键酶基因kas和acp表达水平较对照组显著提高(P<0.05)，分别是对照组的4.56倍和3.02倍。与对照组相比，2 mg/L BHT添加组的碳水化合物和蛋白含量均呈下降趋势。研究表明，在胁迫条件下，外源添加适量浓度的BHT能有效促进雨生红球藻中虾青素的积累，同时提高了藻细胞内的油脂含量。     

食用花生油品质状况检测

食用花生油是日常生活中量大面广的消费食品,为评估食用花生油品质,对3项主要指标酸价、过氧化值及黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)进行了检测。结果表明,440批次样品的不合格率为32%,主要不合格项目为AFB1,不合格样品主要来源为小油坊。食用花生油仍存在食品安全隐患,为安全起见,建议消费者最好购买品牌产品。     

Seasonal and Diurnal Variation in Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Concentrations of Repeatedly Defoliated Red and White Clovers in Central Kentucky

Nonstructural carbohydrates of pasture plants, comprising water-soluble carbohydrates (WSCs) and starch, may contribute to excessive consumption of rapidly fermentable carbohydrates by grazing horses. Seasonal and diurnal variation in WSCs were studied in red (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clovers (Trifolium repens L.) subjected to a typical management regime of rotationally grazed horse pastures. Two red and two white clover cultivars from monoculture plots were harvested after 4 weeks of growth from April to October of 2015, in the morning and afternoon of each harvest date. Water-soluble carbohydrates were quantified for each harvest, and starch was quantified for two harvests. Mean monthly WSC concentrations ranged from 80 to 99 mg/g (freeze-dried weight basis), whereas mean starch concentrations were 31 and 40 mg/g. In September, white clover had 14% more WSCs than red clover (P < .0001). Water-soluble carbohydrate concentrations were 10% higher in the afternoon than in the morning (P < .0001). Starch concentrations were 290% higher in the afternoon than in the morning (P < .0001), and nonstructural carbohydrate concentrations in the afternoon averaged 150 mg/g. Further studies are needed to determine whether the mixed grass-legume pastures of central Kentucky accumulate enough nonstructural carbohydrates to present risk factors for equine metabolic or digestive dysfunction.     

艾纳香脱氢酶基因家族的生物信息学分析

采用RT-PCR和RACE（Rapid amplification of cDNA ends）技术,从艾纳香（Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC.）叶片中克隆到4条编码艾纳香脱氢酶（BbADH1、BbADH2、BbADH3、BbADH4）基因的cDNA序列,并对4条核苷酸及其编码的氨基酸序列进行生物信息学分析。结果显示:4条艾纳香脱氢酶序列开放阅读框均在900 bp左右,蛋白质等电点（pI）值在5.0~9.0之间,含量最多的氨基酸为亮氨酸（Leu）,最少的为色氨酸（Try）,具有明显的疏水区和亲水区,N端未发现信号肽,且无跨膜区;同源性比对结果显示,艾纳香BbADH蛋白与其他植物中ADH蛋白具有高度的相似性,且具有脱氢酶的特征功能域;系统发育分析表明,艾纳香（B. balsamifera (L.) DC.）BbADH1和BbADH3同处于一个分支,且与胡杨（Populus euphratica Oliv.）PeADH物种亲缘关系较近,而艾纳香BbADH4和BbADH2处于不同分支,且分别与葡萄（Vitis vinifera）VvADH和烟草（Nicotiana tabacum）NtADH物种亲缘关系较近。     

微波真空干燥对铁皮石斛品质特性影响的研究

本研究以新鲜铁皮石斛为原料,采用微波真空干燥方法干燥,通过测定铁皮石斛的多糖含量、色泽、多酚氧化酶（PPO）、水分分布状态、组成氨基酸以及多酚的DPPH?和?OH清除率,研究微波真空干燥对铁皮石斛品质特性的影响。结果表明：相比于新鲜样品,当微波强度为9 W/g,干燥后样品的多糖含量最高可达52.21%;氨基酸分析仪分析结果表明,微波真空干燥后铁皮石斛的总游离氨基酸和风味氨基酸含量显著提高。在微波强度9 、12 、15 W/g下,微波真空干燥的铁皮石斛的PPO活性分别在干燥16、12、6 min后不再存在,表明微波真空干燥能够在较短时间内钝化铁皮石斛的PPO活性,且微波强度越大时间越短。干燥过程的非酶促褐变主要由Maillard反应引起。低场核磁共振结果表明,自由水驰豫时间T₂₃和A₂₃均显著降低。自由基清除能力研究结果表明,铁皮石斛多酚仍具有较强的羟基自由基清除能力。通过观察干燥后样品的微观结构发现,随着微波功率密度的增大,样品孔状结构受到更严重破坏,微波强度越大,铁皮石斛的复水特性越好。