The effect of feeding a novel multistrain yeast fraction on European seabass (Dicentrachus labrax) intestinal health and growth performance

Fish were fed a single‐strain yeast fraction (SsYF; 2 g/kg) or a multistrain yeast fraction (MsYF; 0.8 g/kg) for 10 weeks. The results demonstrated significant (p ≤ 0.03) elevations in weight gain, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, and feed conversion ratio in fish fed the yeast fraction‐supplemented diets. In the distal intestine, a significant elevation in microvilli density was observed after 5 and 10 weeks of dietary supplementation with MsYF and SsYF, respectively, compared to control fed fish (p < 0.001). A significant elevation (p = 0.02) in the perimeter ratio was observed in fish fed diets supplemented with the yeast fractions. After 10 weeks of feeding on the experimental diets, Rt‐qPCR demonstrated a significant downregulation (p < 0.05) in the stress response genes, heat‐shock protein 70 (hsp70) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna), in fish fed diets supplemented with the yeast fractions. Significant (p < 0.05) elevations in interleukin 1‐beta (il1β) and interleukin‐10 (il10) gene expression were observed in fish fed diets supplemented with the MsYF compared to the other dietary groups. These findings suggest that feeding an MsYF specifically at a lower incorporation rate < 1 g/kg, compared to a commercial SsYF at 2 g/kg, is effective in improving the intestinal health status and growth performance of European seabass.     

Distribution of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) antigens in nervous and non-nervous organs of European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during the course of an experimental challenge

The distribution of red-spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) antigens was examined by immunohistochemistry in the nervous and non-nervous organs of juvenile European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during the course of an intramuscular infection. Histological changes resulting from the infection were evaluated from 3 days to 2 months post-infection. The specific antibody response was also studied 2 months post-challenge. Viral proteins were present throughout the experimental period in the retina (inner nuclear layer, ganglion layer, outer limiting membrane, and outer plexiform layer), brain (cerebellum and tectum opticum), and liver (hepatocytes and endothelial cells). These proteins were also observed in the renal tubular cells, white pulp of spleen, and in fibroblasts and cartilage of caudal fin. This is the first report of RGNNV proteins appearing in these organs, where the immunostaining was only detected at certain sampling times after the onset of mortality. Brain and retina of virus-exposed fish showed high levels of vacuolation, while accumulation of fat vacuoles was observed in the liver. RGNNV infection also induced a specific antibody response as measured by an ELISA. In summary, this is the first study demonstrating the presence of viral proteins in cells of caudal fin, kidney and spleen of European seabass.     

不同蛋白质源对草鱼和花鲈肉质影响的比较研究

本试验旨在比较不同蛋白质源对草鱼(Ctenopharyngodon idellus)及花鲈(Lateolabrax japonicas)体成分、肌肉游离氨基酸组成及鱼片质构特性的影响。设计草鱼和花鲈饲料各3种,分别等氮等能。3种草鱼试验饲料分别为以鱼粉为唯一蛋白质源的CI-FM组(对照组),以混合植物蛋白质(豆粕和大豆浓缩蛋白)替代80%鱼粉的CI-PPB80组及以混合植物蛋白质替代100%鱼粉的CI-PPB100组。3种花鲈试验饲料分别为以鱼粉为唯一蛋白质源的LJ-FM组(对照组),以混合植物蛋白质(棉籽浓缩蛋白和大豆浓缩蛋白)替代50%鱼粉的LJ-PPB50组和以混合植物蛋白质替代100%鱼粉的LJ-PPB100组。草鱼初始体重为(153.40±0.30)g,随机分为3组,每组3个重复,每个重复20尾鱼;花鲈初始体重为(12.97±0.03)g,随机分为3组,每组4个重复,每个重复25尾鱼。饲喂8周后,检测2种试验鱼的体成分、肌肉游离氨基酸含量及鱼片质构特性、剪切力、滴水损失及胶原蛋白含量。结果表明:与CI-FM组相比,CI-PPB100组草鱼肌肉粗脂肪含量显著降低(P0.05),粗灰分含量显著升高(P0.05);而花鲈肌肉粗脂肪含量则随替代水平的升高呈现先上升后下降的趋势,表现为LJ-PPB50组显著高于LJ-PPB100组(P0.05)。草鱼肌肉总游离氨基酸及生物胺前体含量各组间无显著差异(P0.05);随着替代水平的升高,花鲈肌肉总游离氨基酸及呈味氨基酸含量显著降低(P0.05),生物胺前体含量显著升高(P0.05)。2种试验鱼肌肉中存在各自的特异性成分。2种试验鱼生、熟鱼片的质构特性差异较大。草鱼的CI-FM组和花鲈的LJ-FM组生鱼片的硬度、黏性、咀嚼力、回弹力及剪切力均分别显著高于同鱼种的其他2组(P0.05)。对于熟鱼片,草鱼的CI-PPB80组内聚力显著高于其他2组(P0.05),其他各项指标各组间无显著差异(P0.05);花鲈的LJ-PPB100组硬度及黏附性显著高于LJ-FM组(P0.05),其他各项指标各组间无显著差异(P0.05)。根据结果,混合植物蛋白质替代鱼粉后降低了草鱼和花鲈鱼体脂肪的蓄积,对草鱼肌肉总游离氨基酸含量不造成影响,使花鲈肌肉呈味氨基酸含量下降,必需氨基酸含量减少,生物胺前体含量升高,货架期缩短;高植物蛋白质源饲料使得草鱼和花鲈的肉质均出现明显下降,而高鱼粉饲料可以保证2种试验鱼有较高的肉质。     

Apparent digestibility coefficients of processed agro‐food by‐products in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of processed agro‐food by‐products were assessed in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). Each experimental diet was obtained by replacing 300 g/kg of a commercial‐based diet used as reference (REF) with a test ingredient: wheat germ (GERM), okara meal (OKA), poultry by‐product meal (POULT), steam hydrolysed (FeHY) and enzyme‐treated feather meal (FeENZ), beta‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) and peptide fractions >3,000 Da obtained from brewer's yeast (YeastP) and fish by‐products (FishP). Dry matter ADC was highest in β‐Lg (95%) and lowest in OKA (40%). Protein ADCs were high in β‐Lg, FishP, GERM and POULT (>93%); intermediate in FeHY and FeENZ (85%–88%); and moderate in OKA and YeastP (70%–78%). The essential amino acids' ADC mean was above 91% in POULT, β‐Lg, GERM and FishP, 84%–89% in FeHY and FeENZ and 73%–76% in YeastP and OKA. Energy ADC was highest in POULT and β‐Lg (89%–95%) and lowest in YeastP and OKA (61%–64%). Lipid ADC was highest for POULT and GERM (100%). Phosphorus ADC was lowest in GERM (19%) and highest in β‐Lg (88%). FeHY, FeENZ, POULT, GERM, FishP and β‐Lg are highlighted as protein sources for European seabass.     

Measuring technical,allocative and cost efficiencies of seabass and seabream farms in Greece

Abstract

A stochastic Cobb‐Douglas production frontier is used to provide estimates of output‐oriented technical efficiency, input‐oriented technical efficiency, input allocative efficiency and cost efficiency for a sample of seabass and seabream farms in Greece. Mean output‐oriented technical efficiency is estimated at 78.5%, input‐oriented technical efficiency at 73.6%, input allocative efficiency at 79.2%, and cost efficiency at 58.2%. Considering the sources of efficiency differentials among fish farms, it is evidence from the empirical results that large farms tend to achieve higher (technical and allocative) efficiency scores; specialization in either seabass or seabream affects positively technical and cost, but not allocative, efficiency; and utilization of skilled labor seems to have a positive impact only on technical efficiency.     

An assessment of cereal grains and other starch sources in diets for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) – implications for nutritional and functional qualities of extruded feeds

This study examined the digestibilities of whole diets and ingredients of a range of starch/cereal grains when fed to barramundi (Lates calcarifer). The ingredients included wheat, oats, sorghum, triticale, barley, among others. Twelve diets were prepared using a twin‐screw extruder to mimic modern aquafeed‐manufacturing processes. The diets were then fed to juvenile barramundi and the faeces collected using stripping methods. Significant variability in the digestible energy and starch value was seen among the test ingredients and diets. Diet starch digestibility ranged from 49.1% to 93.9%. Ingredient starch digestibility ranged from 18.0% to 96.5%. Among the different starch ingredients, a strong negative correlation between the ingredient amylopectin content and starch digestibility of that ingredient was observed. This relationship was also mirrored by a similar relationship, although not as strong, between total starch and starch digestibility. This study demonstrates that barramundi have limited ability to digest starch and that there is an effect of inclusion level on the ability of the animal to digest this nutrient. But it also demonstrates that there is a wide range of cereal sources that can be effectively used as starch sources in extruded diets for this species.