Effect of replacing dietary fish meal with silkworm (Bombyx mori L) caterpillar meal on growth and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effect of dietary substitution of silkworm (Bombyx mori L) meal (SM) for fishmeal (FM) on the growth performance and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) (initial weight: 12.8 ± 0.16 g) was determined. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated: Diet 1, which served as the control diet, contained 5% FM; Diet 2 contained 3.75% FM and 1.25% SM; Diet 3 contained 2.5% FM and 2.5% SM; and Diet 4 contained 5% SM. Other ingredients in each of the four diets were kept in the same proportion. After 8 weeks of feeding, the results showed that sea cucumbers fed Diet 2 had 18.7% increases in weight over those fed the control diet, but no significant difference was observed. No obvious difference in body wall composition was detected among the sea cucumbers fed the four different diets. Immunity analysis indicated that phagocytosis and serum alkaline phosphatase activity were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected when FM was partially or completely replaced with SM. Serum lysozyme activity of sea cucumbers fed Diet 4 showed a significant (P < 0.05) growth increase compared with those fed control diet. The results revealed that SM could be an effective substitute for FM in sea cucumber diet.     

Effects of Dietary Lysine Levels on Growth,Intestinal Digestive Enzymes,and Coelomic Fluid Nonspecific Immune Enzymes of Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus,Juveniles

A 56‐d feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary lysine levels on growth performance, intestinal digestive enzymes, and nonspecific immune response of Apostichopus japonicus juveniles. Five semipurified diets were formulated to contain graded levels of lysine (from 0.28 to 2.32% of dry matter). Although no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in survival rate, final weight (FW), and body weight gain (BWG), the FW and BWG increased from 0.28 to 1.19% with increasing dietary lysine levels, then showed a declining tendency. Broken‐line regression analysis of BWG indicated sea cucumber requires lysine at 0.76% of dry diet. Proximate composition, lysine content of the body wall, and total amino acid profiles were not affected by dietary treatments. Intestinal protease level increased with increasing dietary lysine level from 0.28 to 1.19%, then decreased. Acid phosphatase and superoxide dismutase activities of the sea cucumbers were not affected by various dietary lysine levels; however, significantly (P < 0.05) higher alkaline phosphatase activity was observed in sea cucumbers fed 2.32% lysine diet than those fed diets having 0.28 and 1.89% lysine. Overall, sea cucumber juveniles fed with diets containing between 0.76 and 1.19% lysine showed better growth performance, digestive enzymes, and nonspecific immune enzyme activities.     

Effects of dietary heat‐killed Lactobacillus plantarum L‐137 (HK L‐137) on the growth performance,digestive enzymes and selected non‐specific immune responses in sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus Selenka

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary heat‐killed Lactobacillus plantarum L‐137 (HK L‐137) on growth performance, digestive, non‐specific immune and phagocytosis of sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers (initial body weight 1.35 ± 0.04 g) were fed diets supplemented with five levels of HK L‐137 (0, 0.005, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets) for 60 days. Results indicated sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain and specific growth rate than other groups. Sea cucumbers fed with diets containing 0.05 and 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher protease activity than control group. Higher amylase, lysozyme and phagocytic activities were found in 0.25 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diet group. Higher superoxide dismutase enzyme and alkaline phosphatase activity was found in 0.05 g HK L‐137 kg^?1. While no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in acid phosphatase activity. These results suggested that dietary supplementation of 0.05 g HK L‐137 kg^?1 diets would have benefit on growth, digestive enzymes and several non‐specific immune parameters of sea cucumber.     

Effectiveness of l‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate as an ascorbic acid source for sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the adequate dietary ascorbic acid (AsA) levels and the effects on growth, meat quality and antioxidant status of sea cucumber (10.04 ± 0.06 g), Apostichopus japonicus. l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate (35% AsA equivalent) was supplemented separately to the basal diet to obtain five AsA levels, 0, 598, 1473, 4676 and 14340 mg kg^?1 diet respectively. After 60‐day feeding trial, the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 598 and 1473 mg AsA kg^?1 showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain and specific growth rate values than the sea cucumbers fed control diets. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 1473 and 4676 mg AsA kg^?1 showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) hydroxyproline contents than those of the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 0 and 598 mg AsA kg^?1. Antioxidant enzymes such as total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase showed increasing trends with the increasing dietary AsA levels, but no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed when the sea cucumbers fed diets with high dietary AsA levels. The content of malondialdehyde had the opposite trend of antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, the adequate dietary AsA level focusing on growth performance of sea cucumber is between 598 and 1473 mg kg^?1 diet. Furthermore, high level of dietary AsA (between 598 and 4676 mg kg^?1 diet) improved meat quality and antioxidant status.     

Preliminary Study of the Optimum Dietary Ascorbic Acid Level in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 14‐wk feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary ascorbic acid (AA) level in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.49 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semipurified experimental diets were formulated to contain 0 (l ‐ascorbyl‐2‐monophosphate [AMP]; AMP0), 30 (AMP24), 60 (AMP48), 120 (AMP100), 240 (AMP206), and 1200 (AMP1045) mg AA/kg diet in the form of AMP using casein as the main protein source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of 14 wk of feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR, and FE among sea cucumbers fed AMP100, AMP206, and AMP1045 and among animals fed AMP0, AMP24, and AMP48. Whole‐body vitamin C concentration increased with AA content of the diets. Broken‐line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary AA level of 105.3 mg AA/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary vitamin C level in sea cucumber in the form of AMP could be greater than 100 mg AA/kg diet but less than 105.3 mg AA/kg diet.     

Effects of Dietary Taurine on the Growth,Digestive Enzymes,and Antioxidant Capacity in Juvenile Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

Taurine has been widely used as a growth‐ or health‐promoting additive in aquatic animals because of its multiple functions, while little work has been done on its effects on sea cucumbers, in spite of the occurrence of serious diseases. In this study, juvenile sea cucumbers (4.68 ± 0.04 g) were fed diets supplemented with taurine at 0% (control), 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2% for 8 wk. At the end of an 8‐wk feeding trial, growth performance of sea cucumbers was not significantly affected by dietary taurine (P > 0.05). However, dietary taurine significantly elevated intestinal lipase activities of sea cucumbers (P < 0.05). Intestinal amylase activity and trypsin activity in sea cucumbers did not show significant changes after animals were fed diets supplemented with taurine (P > 0.05). Dietary taurine at all five dosages significantly increased total antioxidant capacity in sea cucumbers, while superoxide dismutase activity in groups with dietary taurine at 0.25 and 0.5% was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). Therefore, it appears that taurine could be used as a potential feed additive to confer better health of farmed sea cucumbers.     

Effects of dietary n‐3 PUFA supplements on composition of n‐3 PUFA and expression of fatty acid elongase 5 (AJELOVL5) in sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

This is the first comprehensive study on the effect of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels on the expression of fatty acid elongase 5 (AJELOVL5), PUFA composition, and growth in juvenile sea cucumbers. The specific growth rate (SGR_w) was improved in n‐3 PUFA‐rich diets compared to low n‐3 PUFA diets. AJELOVL5 expression was apparently upregulated in juveniles fed lower PUFA diets relative to higher PUFA diets, with higher expression in the body wall and respiratory tree of juveniles fed diets without ɑ‐linolenic acid (ALA, 18:3n‐3) compared to juveniles fed higher ALA level diets; similar results were also detected in juveniles fed diets with lower eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n‐3), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n‐3), and none of ALA, EPA, or DHA respectively. The concentrations of ALA, EPA, and DHA in tissues were positively related to the content of dietary corresponding PUFA, with higher ALA content in juveniles fed diet ALA_12.71 than in the ALA_7.46 and ALA₀ groups. Similar results were also obtained in sea cucumber fed diets enriched with either EPA or DHA. Interestingly, considerable levels of EPA and DHA were found in the tissues of juveniles fed diets of CK₀ and DHA₀, with no specific input of EPA or DHA, showing that the sea cucumber was capable of biosynthesizing EPA and DHA from their corresponding precursors as ALA and linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n‐6).     

Effects of varying dietary docosahexaenoic acid levels on growth,proximate composition and tissue fatty acid profile of juvenile silver pomfrets,Pampus argenteus (Euphrasen, 1788)

This study investigated the effects of varying dietary levels of decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on growth performance, proximate composition and whole body fatty acid profiles of juvenile silver pomfret, Pampus argenteus. Triplicate groups of fish (30.55 ± 0.08 g) were fed diets containing 5.2%, 9.31% and 13.38% DHA (% of total fatty acids) or 0.85%, 1.52% and 2.18% DHA on dry diet weight for diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Survival was not affected by dietary DHA levels. The growth performance and feed utilization parameters of fish fed diets 2 and 3 were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those fed diet 1, although these parameters in diets 2 and 3 did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). Whole body lipid and fatty acid profiles were influenced by dietary DHA levels. Significantly higher n‐3 fatty acids particularly DHA, DHA:EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid) ratios and n‐3:n‐6 ratios were observed in fish fed diets 2 and 3 compared to those fed diet 1. Better growth performance and higher whole body DHA:EPA (2.31, 2.29) ratios and n‐3:n‐6 ratios (2.17, 2.12) observed in fish fed diets 2 and 3, respectively, suggests that silver pomfret juveniles have a higher requirement for n‐3 fatty acids, notably DHA for optimum growth and survival.     

Preliminary Study of the Optimum Dietary Riboflavin Level in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

A 14‐wk feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary riboflavin (vitamin B₂) level in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. A total of 360 sea cucumbers averaging 1.49 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks, and each tank was then randomly assigned to one of three replicates of six diets containing 0.29 (B₂0), 4.22 (B₂4), 8.93 (B₂9), 17.9 (B₂18), 56.7 (B₂57), and 577 (B₂577) mg riboflavin/kg diet. At the end of 14 wk of feeding trial, average weight gain (WG) of sea cucumbers fed B₂9, B₂18, B₂57, and B₂577 diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of animals fed B₂0 diet. WG of sea cucumbers fed B₂18, B₂57, and B₂577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B₂0 and B₂4 diets. Specific growth rate of sea cucumbers fed B₂9, B₂18, B₂57, and B₂577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B₂0 and B₂4 diets. Feed efficiency of sea cucumbers fed B₂9, B₂57, and B₂577 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed B₂0 and B₂4 diets. Although significant differences were recorded in proximate composition of sea cucumbers fed the experimental diets, no clear trends were observed. The ANOVA test suggested that the optimum dietary riboflavin level in sea cucumber could be 17.9 mg/kg diet but broken‐line analysis of WG indicated a level of 9.73 mg riboflavin/kg diet. Therefore, these results may indicate that the optimum dietary riboflavin level in sea cucumber could be higher than 9.73 mg/kg diet but lower than 17.9 mg/kg diet.     

Preliminary Study of the Dietary α‐Tocopherol Requirement in Sea Cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus

This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary α‐tocopherol (vitamin E) requirement in juvenile sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus. Sea cucumbers averaging 1.48 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) were randomly distributed into 18 rectangular plastic tanks of 20 L capacity in a recirculating system (20 animals per tank). Six semi‐purified experimental diets with average protein and crude lipid levels (dry matter) of 29.7 ± 0.36% and 4.39 ± 0.23% (mean ± SD), respectively were formulated to contain 0 (E4), 15 (E12), 30 (E23), 60 (E44), 120 (E77) and 600 (E378) mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet, supplied as dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. Diets were analyzed for α‐tocopherol content by HPLC and the α‐tocopherol levels were 4.01, 12.4, 23.1, 44.3, 77.4 and 378 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet for E4, E12, E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets, respectively. Casein and defatted fish meal were used as the protein sources in the diets while wheat flour was the carbohydrate source. Sea cucumbers were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of the 14‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and feed efficiency (FE) of sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than those of animals fed on E4 and E12 diets. However, there were no significant differences in WG, SGR and FE among sea cucumbers fed on E23, E44, E77 and E378 diets or among those fed on E4 and E12 diets. Survival of sea cucumbers fed on E44, E77 and E378 diets were significantly higher than those of animals fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets. However, there were no significant differences among sea cucumbers fed on E4, E12 and E23 diets or among those fed on E44 and E77 diets. Whole‐body vitamin E concentration increased with α‐tocopherol content of the diets. Broken line analysis of WG showed an optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement of 41 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet in sea cucumber. These results indicated that the optimum dietary α‐tocopherol requirement in sea cucumber in the form of dl‐α‐tocopheryl acetate could be higher than 23.1 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet but lower than 44 mg α‐tocopherol/kg diet.     

Optimum dietary protein level for growth and coelomic fluid non‐specific immune enzymes of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum dietary protein level of sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus juvenile focusing on growth performance and non‐specific immune response. Diets with seven crude protein levels (42.0, 108.9, 155.2, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1) were fed to sea cucumber juveniles (1.05 ±0.01 g) once a day for 100 days. More than 70% survival was observed, and there was no significant difference among all treatments. The sea cucumbers fed diets containing 108.9 g kg^?1 crude protein showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight gain than those of the sea cucumbers fed diets containing 42.0, 216.7, 258.0, 313.3 and 357.5 g kg^?1 crude protein. No significantly differences (P > 0.05) were observed in moisture, crude protein, crude lipid, ash and carbohydrate content of the body wall among all treatments. The coelomic fluid catalase activity of the sea cucumbers generally increased with increasing dietary protein levels. Therefore, the acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and lysozyme activity increased with increasing dietary protein levels at first and decreased subsequently. The relationship between dietary protein levels and body weight gain was analysed by a second‐order polynomial regression analysis model. The result indicates that the optimum dietary protein level for sea cucumber juveniles is 135.4 g kg^?1.     

Effects of a probiotic mixture (Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 and Bacillus cereus YB‐2) on disease resistance and non‐specific immunity of sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka)

The effect of a commercially available compound probiotics product containing Bacillus subtilis YB‐1 (50%) and Bacillus cereus YB‐2 (50%) fed to sea cucumbers, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka) on challenge infections and non‐specific immune responses was assessed. Sea cucumbers (were randomly allocated into nine aquariums at a density of 30 sea cucumbers per tank and triplicate groups) were fed diets containing 0 (control), 10⁷ and 10¹⁰ cfu (g diet)^?1 of the probiotics mixture for 32 days. The growth factors and immunological parameters were measured. In addition, the effects on resistance against Vibrio alginolyticus infection were also evaluated. The results indicate that all the immunological parameters (phagocytic activity, superoxide anion production, lysozyme activity, catalase activity and phenoloxidase activity) measured and the growth rate of sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture were significantly (P < 0.05) improved than control groups at 16 and 32 days. After challenging, the cumulative mortality for the control was 100%, whereas the cumulative mortality for sea cucumbers fed 10¹⁰ cfu of the probiotics mixture was 47% (P < 0.05). Although the total autochthonous intestinal heterotrophic bacterial counts were not affected by dietary treatment (P > 0.05), Bacillus sp. levels were significantly elevated in sea cucumbers fed the probiotics mixture (P < 0.05). These results confirmed that administration of the probiotics mixture in the diet stimulated non‐specific immune responses and enhanced the growth performance of sea cucumbers, and was effective in controlling infections caused by V. alginolyticus.     

Optimum dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

A feeding trial of three protein (200, 300 and 400 g kg⁻¹) and two lipid levels (20 and 100 g kg⁻¹) was conducted to determine the proper dietary protein and lipid levels for growth of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus. Dietary protein and lipid levels were adjusted by adding with different levels of soybean meal, squid liver oil and soybean oil, respectively. Three replicate groups of sea cucumbers (average weight of 1.3 g) were fed the experimental diets for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, survival was not affected by dietary protein and lipid levels (P > 0.05). Weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumbers were significantly affected by dietary protein (P < 0.006) and lipid levels (P < 0.001). The highest WG and SGR were observed in sea cucumbers fed the 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein diet with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (P < 0.05). WG and SGR of sea cucumbers fed the diet containing 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid were higher than those of sea cucumbers fed the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets (P < 0.05) at each dietary protein level. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, crude protein, carbohydrate and gross energy of sea cucumbers fed the 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets were significantly higher than those of the 100 g kg⁻¹ lipid diets at 200 and 400 g kg⁻¹ protein (P < 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents were not significantly different among the groups. The results of this study indicate that the diet containing 200 g kg⁻¹ protein (170 g kg⁻¹ digestible protein) with 20 g kg⁻¹ lipid (13 g kg⁻¹ digestible lipid) may be sufficient for optimum growth of juvenile sea cucumber.     

饲料中浒苔添加量以及处理方法对幼刺参生长、消化率、消化酶和非特异性免疫酶的影响

采用单因素实验设计,先配制6种浒苔含量(0、5％、10％、15％、20％和25％)饲料饲养初始体质量(1.44±0.01)g幼刺参49 d,然后根据浒苔含量实验结果配制20％含量、3种方法处理的浒苔[干燥粉碎(DC)、纤维素酶酶解后干燥粉碎(DCC)和蛋白酶酶解后干燥粉碎(DCP)]饲料饲养初始体质量(4.58 ±0.23)g幼刺参60 d,以研究饲料中浒苔添加量以及处理方式对幼刺参生长、消化率、消化酶和非特异性免疫酶的影响.实验每组饲料设3个重复,每个重复饲喂35头刺参.结果显示:(1)浒苔对提高刺参特定生长率(SGR)、肠道淀粉酶(AMS)活性和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和降低饲料系数(FCR)有显著作用(P＜0.05),其中20％浒苔含量最好,浒苔能显著降低饲料干物质表观消化率(ADCd)和粗蛋白质表观消化率(ADCp)(P＜0.05),对刺参摄食率(FI)、成活率(SR)、肠道胃蛋白酶(PP)活性和酸性磷酸酶(ACP)无显著性影响(P＞0.05).(2)3种方法处理的浒苔中,DCC和DCP浒苔对提高刺参SGR、ADCd、ADCp、肠道AMS、PP、SOD和ACP活性和降低FCR有显著作用(P＜0.05),其中DCC浒苔最好,3种方法处理的浒苔对刺参FI和SR亦无显著性影响(P＞0.05).在本实验条件下,幼刺参饲料中浒苔适宜含量为20％;纤维素酶酶解后干燥粉碎浒苔是一个理想的浒苔处理方法.     

Effect of dietary inclusion of various plant ingredients as an alternative for Sargassum thunbergii on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus

Two feeding experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of different plant ingredients on growth and body composition of juvenile sea cucumber. In the first experiment, three replicate groups of the sea cucumber (average weight of 1.5 ± 0.05 g) were fed one of the seven experimental diets containing Sargassum thunbergii (CON), Undaria (UND), Laminaria (LAM), Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata (BRA), fermented soybean (FSB), distillers dried grain (DDG) and rice straw powder (RIC) for 10 weeks. After the feeding trial, survival was not significantly different among the dietary treatments. Specific growth rate (SGR) of sea cucumber fed the FSB diet (0.73) was significantly higher than that of sea cucumber fed the other diets (P < 0.05), except for the DDG diet (0.64). The lowest SGR was observed in sea cucumber fed the CON diet (0.14). Based on the result of the first experiment, the second experiment was conducted to determine the proper level of dietary DDG for growth of juvenile sea cucumber. Three replicate groups of sea cucumber (average weight of 1.6 ± 0.02 g) were fed one of the five experimental diets containing different levels (g kg^?1) of DDG (DDG0, DDG10, DDG20, DDG30 and DDG40) for 12 weeks. Survival was not significantly different among the treatments (P > 0.05). The best SGR was obtained in sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet (10.1) and the value of sea cucumber fed the DDG40 diet (5.6) was the lowest (P < 0.05). The SGR of sea cucumber fed the DDG10 diet did not differ from that of sea cucumber fed the DDG20 diet (P > 0.05). Moisture, crude protein, crude lipid and ash contents of whole body in sea cucumber among the dietary treatments (P > 0.05) did not differ significantly at both experiments. Results of two feeding trial suggest that dietary inclusion with 100 g kg^?1 FSB or 100–200 g kg^?1 DDG may improve growth of juvenile sea cucumber, and especially DDG could be used as a good ingredient for the low‐cost feed formulation.     

Effects of Jerusalem artichoke powder on the growth performance,nonspecific immunity,and gastrointestinal microbiota of sea cucumber

This study investigated how Jerusalem artichoke powder (JAP) affected the growth, immunity, and gut microbiota of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus Selenka. Animals were fed diets containing antibiotic (1 ppm) or five levels of JAP (0, 2.5, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg). After the feeding trial, three sea cucumbers were sampled per tank to assay for immunity and gut microbiota composition. Dietary supplementation of 2.5 g/kg JAP significantly improved the growth rate and phenoloxidase activity of sea cucumbers. The diet containing 5 g/kg of JAP increased the survival rate and phagocytic activity, and the diet containing 15 g/kg of JAP increased the growth rate and total coelomocyte count of sea cucumbers. Moreover, exposure to antibiotics significantly changed the microbiota of sea cucumbers, while the JAP supplementation stimulated the development of microbiota communities, which could be more homogeneous. Supplementing the diets with 15 g/kg of JAP increased the growth of Rhodobacterales, and this may underlie the higher growth rate of sea cucumbers in this treatment. Considered together, our results suggest that supplementing the diet of sea cucumber with JAP may be beneficial for nonantibiotic farming of sea cucumber.     

Influence of diet on growth,reproduction and lipid and fatty acid composition in the sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa

The suspension‐feeding sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa is widely distributed in cold waters and is commercially exploited in the North Atlantic. While the species is considered to have potential for aquaculture, its feeding and reproductive biology differs markedly from that of currently cultivated sea cucumbers. Here, for the first time, the influence of food sources on the condition of C. frondosa was experimentally tested. Individuals were fed with either diatoms or fish eggs for 3 months. Specific growth rate (SGR), organ indices, fecundity, gonad maturity and profiles of lipids and fatty acids (FA) in tissues were compared among treatments and with sea cucumbers collected from the field. Individuals fed with fish eggs showed higher SGR and organ indices than all other treatments. The highest proportion of large oocytes was also found in gonad tubules of females from the fish egg treatment, although individuals fed with diatoms were the only ones in which spontaneous spawning occurred. Moreover, gonad and muscle tissues of sea cucumbers from the fish egg treatment presented the highest levels of lipids and essential FA. In contrast, non‐fed sea cucumbers showed negative SGR, relatively low female fecundity and low concentrations of lipids and FA in tissues. While the fish egg diet presented several obvious benefits, phytoplankton remains an important source of carotenoids, which are vital for vitellogenesis in echinoderms. This indicates that mixed diets rich in lipids, essential FA and carotenoids can be further investigated to optimize growth and reproductive output of this species in captivity.     

3种不同体色刺参体壁营养成分的比较研究

本研究分别对青色、紫色和白色刺参(Apostichopus japonicus)体壁的营养成分,包括蛋白、脂肪、粗多糖、氨基酸组成、脂肪酸组成及微量元素进行了比较分析.结果显示,青色刺参蛋白含量显著低于紫色和白色刺参(P<0.05),脂肪含量三者无显著差异(P>0.05),青色刺参和紫色刺参的粗多糖含量高于白色刺参(P...     

Influence of Dietary Oil Sources on Muscle Composition and Plasma Lipoprotein Concentrations in Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

To investigate the impact of different dietary lipid sources on fillet composition and lipid transport, we conducted a feeding trial and evaluated the proximate composition of muscle tissue, fatty acid profiles, total cholesterol (in muscle and plasma), triglycerides, and lipoprotein concentrations in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Five semi‐purified diets, containing different oils (soybean – SO, corn – CO, linseed – LO, fish – FO, and olive – OO), were supplied to tilapia for 160 d. Fish fed with LO and FO diets had a lower percentage of total lipids in muscle compared with the others (P < 0.05). The highest percentage of protein was found in fish fed with FO diet (P < 0.05). The muscle fatty acid profile was influenced differently by diets (P < 0.05). The group supplemented with SO and CO had a higher concentration of 18:2n‐6, whereas the fish fed with LO diet had a higher level of 18:3n‐3 and those that received the FO diet had more 22:6n‐3 in comparison with those supplemented with vegetable oils. Plasma lipid transport was also affected by the diets: the fish fed with FO diet had higher total cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein and lower very‐low‐density lipoprotein concentrations (P < 0.05).     

Effects of differently processed diets on growth,immunity and water quality of the sea cucumber,Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867)

The type of formulated diet used in aquaculture systems affects the feed efficiency and water quality. In this study, the water quality, growth performance and immunity of the sea cucumber, Apostichopus japonicus (Selenka, 1867), fed diets produced using four different processing methods (extruded pellet diet, cold‐bonded pellet diet, flake diet and mash diet) were quantified for 60 days to identify the optimal feed type for culturing of this species. Sea cucumbers grew faster, the feed conversion ratio was much lower, and immunity indicators were higher when fed the extruded pellet diet compared to the other diets. Sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet had the highest specific growth rate (0.96), whereas A. japonicus fed the cold‐bonded pellet diet had the lowest specific growth rate (0.51). The lysozyme activity of sea cucumbers fed the extruded pellet diet was higher (57.52) than that of A. japonicus fed the cold‐bonded pellet diet (39.22), flake diet (37.32) and mash diet (32.68). When animals were fed the mash diet, the ammonia–nitrogen, nitrite–nitrogen and phosphate productions were higher than in animals fed the other diets. These results indicate that the extruded pellet diet is the optimum feed type for use in the culture of A. japonicus.