Digestibility,growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin,canthaxanthin or lutein diets in Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish,Melanotaenia parva (Allen) cultured species

New cultured ornamental fish namely Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish Melanotaenia parva (Allen) run into reduced of colour performances when reared in the aquaria, consequently, fish feed must be added with carotenoids as a pigment source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the digestibility, growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and lutein in diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, lipid, protein, carotenoids, growth and pigmentation were studied in twenty fish after 14 and 56 days of observation. The single‐dose supplementation of 100 mg/kg of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, or lutein diets on fish was fed by apparent satiation. The basal diet without carotenoids was used as control. The result showed that the ADC of carotenoids of test diets was higher compared to control. Fish fed astaxanthin diet had higher survival rate (96.67 ± 2.89%), colour measurements of lightness (57.60 ± 7.46%), a*‐values (4.66 ± 1.20), total carotenoids content in skin (33.75 ± 5.02 mg/kg) and muscle (2.16 ± 0.74 mg/kg). Astaxanthin also increased the growth after 14 days (2.00% ± 0.19%/days) but there was no significantly different at the end of experiment. The yellowish‐orange colour performance was more rapidly achieved by fish fed astaxanthin diet after 28 days experimentation. These values suggested that dietary carotenoids were required and astaxanthin diet was superior to other diets for skin pigmentation of Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish.     

Natural bixin as a potential carotenoid for enhancing pigmentation and colour in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Discovering natural carotenoids for colour enhancement and health benefits of fish is important to develop new feed formulations. We have purified natural bixin from achiote seeds and evaluated the effect of colour enhancing and pigmentation in goldfish. Varying levels of bixin‐based diets were prepared with 420 g kg^?1 of crude protein and 120 g kg^?1 of lipid content. Our results clearly showed that bixin (0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.60 g kg^?1) based diets significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the skin and fin colour at 30 and 60 days compared to diet without bixin. Interestingly, diet which contains 0.20 g kg^?1 bixin and commercial feed (with astaxanthin) had similar effect on carotenoid deposition in skin. Moreover, total carotenoid deposition in fin was higher than in skin of all bixin‐containing diets. However, 0.60 g kg^?1 bixin‐containing diet had lower specific growth rate (1.01 ± 0.01) and higher feed conversion ratio (2.05 ± 0.19) compared to the control group. The present results demonstrate that achiote bixin can be successfully used as an alternative natural carotenoid source against synthetic astaxanthin in fish feed. Our data indicate that 0.20 g kg^?1 is a suitable dietary level of bixin to ensure strong pigmentation, acceptable growth and feed utilization in goldfish.     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路上游基因在山羊绒周期性再生及着色过程中的表达分析

为初步探究Wnt/β-catenin信号通路是否参与山羊绒周期性再生及着色过程,本试验采用实时荧光定量技术对Wnt/β-catenin信号通路上游基因β-catenin、Lef1/Tcf3及该通路拮抗基因Dkk1mRNA在白色绒山羊绒毛生长不同时期及黑、白色绒山羊绒毛生长旺盛期时体侧部皮肤组织中的相对表达量进行研究。结果显示,上述通路中β-catenin、Lef1/Tcf3基因mRNA在白色绒山羊不同时期体侧部皮肤组织中的相对表达量具有明显变化规律即生长前期缓慢上调,旺盛期时表达量最高,生长后期及退行期逐渐下调,休止期表达量最低;Dkk1基因mRNA在白色绒山羊不同时期体侧部皮肤组织中的相对表达量则无明显规律性。上述各基因mRNA在黑、白色绒山羊生长旺盛期时体侧部皮肤组织中的相对表达量并无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示,Wnt/β-catenin信号通路参与山羊绒周期性再生过程,但该通路并不涉及生长旺盛期时绒毛的着色过程。     

QTL mapping of resistance in lentil (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris) to ascochyta blight (Ascochyta lentis)

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of ascochyta blight resistance in lentil was conducted using genomic maps developed from two F₂ populations, viz. ILL5588/ILL7537 and ILL7537/ILL6002. Five QTLs for ascochyta blight resistance were identified by composite interval mapping (CIM) across four linkage groups (LG) in population ILL5588/ILL7537. Three QTLs were identified by CIM in population ILL7537/ILL6002 (two in close proximity on LGI and one on LGII). Two of these coincided with regions identified using multiple interval mapping (MIM) and were shown to be conditioned by dominant and partial dominant gene action. Together, they accounted for approximately 50% of the phenotypic variance of disease severity. Comparison between the two populations revealed a potentially common QTL and several common regions that contained markers significantly associated with resistance. This study demonstrated the transferability of QTLs among populations and identified markers closely linked to the major QTL that may be useful for future marker‐assisted selection for disease resistance.     

The potential of ripening mutants for extending the storage life of the tomato fruit

Summary The effect of the fruit ripening mutants rin, gr, nor and Nr on storage life and pigmentation was investigated in homozygous material, in heterozygous F₁ combinations between the mutants with the colour mutant hp and with the normal cv. Kewalo. Crosses with nor showed a 3-to 5-fold increase in storage life in comparison with the normal cv. or with hp. Maximum pigmentation of the fruits of crosses with nor was pale-red with vineripened fruit and pink with fruit harvested at the breaker stage and ripened on the shelf. The ripening inhibitory effect of rin in the different F₁ combinations was less pronounced than that of nor, and the colour of the fruits was improved. Fruits of the F₁ cross between rin and nor showed greatly improved storage life and developed pink or pale red colour. Most heterozygotes with hp showed improved pigmentation. Problems anticipated in utilizing ripening mutants in breeding for improved keeping quality are discussed.     

The study of introgressive lines of Triticum aestivum × Aegilops speltoides by in situ and SSR analyses

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a genome‐specific repeat, Spelt1, and wheat simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to analyse the chromosome constitution of two Triticum aestivum×Aegilops speltoides introgressive lines. The lines 170/98i and 178/98i carried one and two subtelomeric regions of Ae. speltoides (per haploid genome), respectively, marked by Spelt1 repeats according to FISH data. SSR analysis detected homoeologous substitution of wheat chromosome 7D with Ae. speltoides chromosome 7S in the lines 178/98i and 170/98i as well as the assumed terminal translocation in the short arm of chromosome 3A in the line 178/98i. Anthocyanin pigmentation of the coleoptiles was found in the lines 170/98i and 178/98i and resulted from the 7S (7D) substitution. It was demonstrated that Spelt1 could be effectively used for the rapid identification (without DNA isolation) of terminal translocations of T. aestivum×Ae. speltoides introgressive lines as well as for further analysis of the stability of the hybrid plants.     

Efficacy of Sarafloxacin Hydrochloride in Treating Naturally-Induced Edwardsiella ictaluri Infections in Channel Catfish,Ictalurus punctatus

Sarafin (sarafloxacin hydrochloride), a new antibacterial, was evaluated in the field on a naturally induced infection of Edwardsiella ictaluri in channel catfish, -Ictalurus punctatus. Healthy channel catfish (mean weight = 50 g) were stocked into nine cages at 200 fish per cage in a pond with an undergoing E. ictaluri infection. Seven days after stocking, dead fish were observed in the cages with clinical signs of enteric septicemia of channel catfish (ESC). After E. ictaluri was confirmed through isolative biochemical tests, medicated feed was applied for five consecutive days. During this period, fish in three control cages received a commercial 32% protein floating feed, three other cages of fish served as positive controls and were fed Romet, and three cages received the test feed with Sarafin. Both medicated feeds reduced the increase in cumulative percent mortality. In the control cages, cumulative percent mortalities continued to increase throughout the study period. Average daily mortality rates were significantly lower following both treatments of medicated feed, and treatments receiving Sarafin showed the greatest reduction in average daily mortality rates. Average daily mortality rates in the control did not change after the medicated feeding period. Toward the end of the study, temperatures reached 30°C, above the active range of ESC infections, and all mortalities ceased.     

The pigmenting effect of different carotenoids on fancy carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The optimal concentration of a panel of individual and combined carotenoid sources on skin pigmentation in fancy carp was investigated by nine experimental diets that were formulated and supplemented with astaxanthin at 25 mg kg^?1, lutein at 25 and 50 mg kg^?1, β‐carotene at 25, 50 and 75 mg kg^?1, and lutein combined with β‐carotene at 25 : 25 and 50 : 50 mg kg^?1, while a diet without supplemented carotenoid served as a control. The results showed that serum TC of fish fed diets containing supplemented with lutein plus β‐carotene at 25 : 25; 50 : 50 mg kg^?1 and lutein 50 mg kg^?1 diet were higher than the other treatments (P ≤ 0.05). Serum TC of the respective treatments was 6.2 ± 2.0, 7.8 ± 3.3 and 7.3 ± 1.9 μg mL^?1 serum, respectively. Fish fed diets combined with lutein and β‐carotene at 25 : 25, 50 : 50 mg kg^?1 and lutein 50 mg kg^?1 diet had serum astaxanthin concentrations similar to fish fed the diet with astaxanthin alone at 25 mg kg^?1. Serum astaxanthin concentrations was 0.7 ± 0.01, 0.9 ± 0.01, 0.4 ± 0.02 and 1.7 ± 0.18 μg mL^?1 serum, respectively. The chromaticity of fish body skin of red and white position was assessed by colourimetry using the CIE L*a*b (CIELAB) system. Pigmentation response of skin redness of fancy carp fed with diets combined with lutein and β‐carotene at 25 : 25, 50 : 50 mg kg^?1 and lutein 50 mg kg^?1 were higher than other treatments (P ≤ 0.05) but they were similar to fish fed with 25 mg kg^?1 astaxanthin diet. The redness (a* values) of fish fed diets with diets combined with lutein and β‐carotene at 25 : 25, 50 : 50 mg kg^?1 and lutein 50 mg kg^?1 were 28.3 ± 0.53, 29.9 ± 1.38, 28.8 ± 3.95 and 28.5 ± 2.49, respectively. After 3 weeks of feeding the experimental diets, the fish fed on a diet without carotenoid supplement for one week demonstrated that the same three groups still retained their redness and had an overall tendency to improve skin colouring. Finally, concentrations 50 mg kg^?1 of lutein, or the combination of lutein and β‐carotene at 25 : 25 mg kg^?1 showed the highest efficiency for improving skin pigmentation and redness of skin.     

Calanus oil as a natural source for flesh pigmentation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

The present study was to understand how efficiently the astaxanthin in Calanus oil is utilized for flesh colouration in Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Postsmolts of the fish (309 g) were held at 7.9 °C and they were fed diets containing 20 or 60 mg astaxanthin per kilogram feed derived from a synthetic source or from Calanus oil for 181 days. Besides growth and feed intake assessments, at day 81 and 181, fish flesh were subjected to colour analysis and astaxanthin determination. Growth and feed performance did not vary between the groups. There were significant differences in the amount of astaxanthin in muscle between almost all groups both at day 81 ( P  < 0.05) and at day 181 ( P  < 0.001). However, a notable similarity between fish receiving 20 mg astaxanthin from the synthetic source and those receiving 60 mg astaxanthin from Calanus oil ( P  > 0.05) at day 181 indicated that comparable amounts were deposited only with the greater level of the natural source. Tristimuli colorimeter a* values support the analytical results at day 181. Although Calanus oil did serve as a natural dietary pigment source for farmed salmon, its inclusion level should provide more than 60 mg astaxanthin per kilogram feed to achieve colouration preferred by the market.     

圆果黄麻花青素的遗传研究

圆果黄麻含花青素细胞主要分布在皮层组织最外一层细胞中。含花青素细胞的相对数量和颜色深浅决定着植株外部色素的强度与分布。遗传上不带有色素原基因C的全绿色品种,任何时候任何部位都不存在花青素细胞。六个品种(永安黄麻、闽侯白皮、红铁骨、平和竹蒿麻、古农红皮和快早红)的五个杂交组合试验表明,回果黄麻古农红皮褐红色的色素表型由复等位基因A~B所决定,其作用强度位于A~D与A~L之间,即A~D—A~B—A~L—A—a。古农红皮、红铁骨和闽侯白皮的基因型分别为CCA~BA~Brr、CCAArr和CCaarr。圆果黄麻花青素的遗传除了受C、A、R三对主效基因控制外,还涉及到修饰因子。