Effects of Neutral Phytase Supplementation on Biochemical Parameters in Grass Carp,Ctenopharyngodon idellus,and Gibel Carp,Carassius auratus gibelio,Fed Different Levels of Monocalcium Phosphate

Two 8‐wk studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of neutral phytase supplementation on hemato‐biochemical status, liver biochemical parameter, and intestinal digestive enzyme activity of grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus, and gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio, fed with different levels of monocalcium phosphate (MCP). The control diet was prepared with 2% MCP but without phytase (P2.0). The other three experimental diets were prepared with the addition of 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5% MCP, respectively, when supplemented with 500 U/kg neutral phytase in each diet and designated as PP1.5, PP1.0, and PP0.5, respectively. The results indicated that the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) activities, as well as the albumin (ALB) content were increased in grass carp (P < 0.05) and gibel carp (P > 0.05) fed with phytase‐supplemented diets. Meanwhile, the serum cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein, and total protein contents of the two species of fish were increased in comparison to the control. In addition, dietary phytase inclusion did not significantly affect hepatic ALP, ALT, and AST activities in the two species of carp fed with different levels of MCP. Amylase activity increased in foregut and hindgut of both species when fed with the phytase‐supplemented diets while lipase activity was reduced in the foregut and hindgut in both fish. This study suggests that neutral phytase supplementation increases serum ALP, ALT, and AST activities but does not notably affect these enzyme activities in the liver of the two species of carp when fed different levels of MCP. On the other hand, amylase activity increased while lipase activity was reduced in the intestine of the species of carp fed with phytase‐supplemented diets.     

Effects of DL‐methionine supplementation on the success of fish meal replacement by plant proteins in practical diets for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

A ten‐week feeding trail was conducted to investigate the effects of increasing DL‐methionine (Met) supplementation on the success of fish meal (FM) replacement with plant proteins in practical diets for juvenile gibel carp, Carassius auratus gibelio. Twelve isoenergetic diets were formulated including two 150 g kg^?1 FM diets (Diet 1—positive control 1 reflecting a commercial diet and Diet 2—positive control 2 reflecting a commercial diet but with balanced essential amino acid (EAA) profile) and ten 50 g kg^?1 FM diets (negative controls) supplemented with graded levels (0–3.0 g kg^?1) of DL‐Met (Diets 3–12). Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of gibel carp, near satiation four times daily for 10 weeks. Diet 2 with balanced EAA profile produced better final weight, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the negative control diet containing no supplemental Met (Diet 3), but did not significantly differ from Diet 1. However, DL‐Met supplementation (0.5–3.0 g kg^?1) in the negative control diets (Diets 4–12) produced growth performances similar to those fed the positive control diets (Diets 1 and 2). Based on quadratic regression analysis, the optimal dietary Met level with 5.2 g kg^?1 of dietary cysteine (Cys) was found to be 7.1 g kg^?1 dry diet for SGR and FCR. The corresponding total sulphur amino acid requirements (Met + Cys) of this species were calculated to be 12.3 g kg^?1 dry diet for SGR and FCR. DL‐Met supplementation in 50 g kg^?1 FM diets showed a decreasing trend in plasma cholesterol contents (p < .05). No significant differences were observed in whole‐body composition, plasma protein, triglyceride and free EAA contents among dietary treatments, while plasma aspartate transaminase, albumin and ammonia contents were significantly influenced by dietary Met levels. Juvenile gibel carp grew equally well on 150 g kg^?1 FM diet or 50 g kg^?1 FM diets balanced for EAA profile with supplemental amino acids. The results of this study overall indicate that balancing dietary amino acid levels with DL‐Met supplementation is a key strategy in successfully reducing FM levels in the diets of gibel carp.     

Dietary available phosphorus requirement for on‐growing gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

A nine‐week feeding experiment was conducted in flow‐through system with gibel carp (43.8 ± 0.2 g) to study the effects of dietary available phosphorus (P) on growth, phosphorous digestibility and intestinal enzyme activities. Seven semipurified diets were formulated to contain 0.8 (the basal), 2.4, 3.6, 6.1, 7.4, 10.1 and 15.8 g available phosphorus kg^?1 diet. The results showed that specific growth rate and feed efficiency increased with increasing dietary available P from 0.8 to 7.4 g P kg^?1. Fish body ash increased with increasing dietary available P, while moisture, protein content or energy content had no difference. Total phosphorus waste discharging (TPW) increased with increased dietary phosphorous. Plasma glucose was higher in the fish fed with 7.4 g kg^?1 P. Plasma triglycerides was lower in fish fed diets containing 6.1–10.1 g kg^?1 P. No significant effects were observed in plasma P and Ca (p > .05). The activities of intestinal amylase, lipase and trypsin showed no difference, while AKP and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase activities decreased with increasing dietary available P. In conclusion, based on the regression between specific growth rate (SGR), P retention efficiency, feed efficiency (FE) and dietary available P, the available P requirements for on‐growing gibel carp were 10.69, 8.22 and 6.72 g kg^?1, respectively.     

Apparent digestibility of nutrients in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) diet supplemented with graded levels of neutral phytase using pretreatment and spraying methods

The effects of supplemental graded levels of neutral phytase using pretreatment and spraying methods on the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein, minerals and amino acids were investigated in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (mean weight, 20.92 ± 1.04 g). Seven experimental diets were prepared as: no‐phytase supplementation (control), pretreatment with phytase dose of 500 U (PP500), 1000 U (PP1000) and 1500 U (PP1500) per kg diet. With spraying method, the phytase was added to feed at the same three grades, namely 500 U (PS500), 1000 U (PS1000) and 1500 U (PS1500) per kg diet. After an 8‐week feeding trial, addition of phytase improved the crude protein, crude lipid, dry matter, ash, phosphorus and calcium digestibilities in comparison with the control, especially in the diets where phytase addition level was above 1000 U kg^?1 (P < 0.05). Phytase supplementation, both the pretreatment and spraying, significantly enhanced the ADCs of essential amino acid (EAA) and non‐essential amino acid. The ADCs of the nutrients were significantly influenced by phytase supplementation methods, supplementation levels and interaction of methods and levels. Based on the results, supplemental dietary phytase, regardless of application methodology, improved the ADCs of nutrients in grass carp, and the pretreatment mode of phytase application was more effective than spraying at the same phytase level. We suggest that the optimal level of phytase pretreatment is 1000 U kg^?1 diet, and the best addition level of phytase spraying is 1500 U kg^?1 diet or more phytase is required for spraying.     

Effects of dietary fishmeal replacement with Spirulina platensis on the growth,feed utilization,digestion and physiological parameters in juvenile gibel carp (Carassis auratus gibelio var. CAS III)

A 60‐day growth experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary replacement of fishmeal by Spirulina platensis on growth performance, digestion and physiological parameters in juvenile gibel carp (5.0 ± 1.0 g). Four diets were formulated to replace 0 (SP0), 50% (SP50), 75% (SP75) and 100% (SP100) of dietary fishmeal protein by S. platensis respectively. Other two diets based on SP100 were supplemented with 2% dicalcium phosphate (SP100 + P) or 0.28% coated lysine (SP100 + Lys). The results showed that no significant differences of specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE), feeding rate (FR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were observed between SP0 group and the replacement groups (SP50, SP75 and SP100). FE and PER of fish‐fed SP100 + Lys diet were significantly higher than the fish‐fed SP100 diet (p < .05). Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter, protein, energy and phosphorus increased significantly with the increasing S. platensis inclusion. Meanwhile, fish from SP100 + P or SP100 + Lys group had higher ADCs of nutrients compared to the SP100 group (p < .05). Compared with SP0 diet, fish‐fed S. platensis diets had higher activities of plasma superoxide dismutase, hepatopancreas total antioxidant capacity, plasma alkaline phosphatase and plasma lysozyme, as well as the lower content of plasma malondialdehyde. The present results indicated that dietary fishmeal could be fully replaced by S. platensis without any negative effects on growth performance of gibel carp. Supplementation of lysine in the S. platensis replacement diet could further improve the feed utilization of gibel carp.     

Effects of dietary phytase supplementation on growth performance and apparent digestibility coefficients of Pacific White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei

A growth trial and a digestibility trial were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of phytase supplemented to practical shrimp feeds. The 5 weeks growth trial evaluated the effects of phytase supplementation in replete phosphorus (P) diets on the performances and compositions of juvenile Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. No significant differences were observed in final biomass, final mean weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein retention and survival across all the treatments. Shrimp reared on the P deficient diet had significantly higher P retention and lower whole body P levels as compared to shrimp fed the other diets. Copper content in the whole shrimp body was significantly increased in the treatment supplemented with 1,000 IU kg^?1 feed phytase. The digestibility trial was conducted to study the combined effects of phytase supplementation levels and diet type (plant‐based versus fishmeal‐based) on apparent digestibility coefficients of Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. There were no effects of diet type so the data was combined. Phytase incorporation at both 500 and 2,000 IU kg^?1 significantly improved protein digestibility, whereas P digestibility was enhanced when 2,000 IU kg^?1 phytase was supplemented to the diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients of alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine and valine were significantly increased when fed diets contained 500 and 2,000 IU kg^?1 phytase supplementation. Results of this work demonstrate that under the conditions of the study growth was not enhanced by phytase supplementation in P replete diets. However, nutrient retention for Cu and digestibility of P, protein and a number of amino acids were enhanced.     

中性植酸酶替代磷酸二氢钙对黑鲷生长和磷利用的影响

以鱼粉、豆粕、菜粕等为蛋白原料设计配方, 磷酸二氢钙的添加量分别为1.5%、1.0%、0.5%和0(对应的饲料组为P1.5、PP1.0、PP0.5和PP0组), 其中PP1.0、PP0.5和PP0组中均添加200 mg/kg的中性植酸酶, 开展为期8周的黑鲷(Acanthopagrus schlegelii)养殖实验, 以探讨中性植酸酶替代磷酸二氢钙对黑鲷生长和磷利用的影响。结果显示, 黑鲷摄食实验饲料8周后, 各组间成活率无显著差异(P>0.05); 摄食饲料PP1.0、PP0.5和对照组(P1.5组)实验鱼的增重率无显著差异(P>0.05), 但均显著高于PP0处理组, 饲料系数则显著低于PP0处理组(P<0.05)。摄食不同饲料的黑鲷全鱼中蛋白质、脂肪、灰分及钙磷含量在不同组间均无显著差异(P>0.05)。添加植酸酶的各组鱼磷的表观消化率均显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。随着磷酸二氢钙添加量的降低, 黑鲷对干物质和蛋白质的表观消化率呈升高的趋势, 当饲料中磷酸二氢钙的添加量降到0时, 黑鲷对干物质和蛋白质的表观消化率显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。以上结果说明, 在本研究配方下, 黑鲷正常生长对饲料有效磷的需求量≥0.51%; 磷酸二氢钙可部分被植酸酶替代, 当黑鲷饲料中含有20%鱼粉、32%豆粕和12%菜粕, 且植酸酶添加量为200 mg/kg时, 与饲料中添加1%的磷酸二氢钙相当; 在不影响黑鲷生长的前提下, 植酸酶部分替代磷酸二氢钙不仅可降低无机磷的添加, 同时可提高饲料中磷的利用率, 降低磷排放。

     

Partial replacement of fish meal by soy protein concentrates in diets for a new Japanese strain of juvenile soft‐shelled turtle,Pelodiscus sinensis

An 8‐week experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary fish meal (FM) replaced by soybean protein concentrate (SPC) on Japanese strain of soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis juveniles. Diets were formulated to replace FM protein by SPC at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 or 60% supplemented with phytase (2000 FTU kg^?1) (designated as S0, S15, S30, S45, S60 and S60P, respectively), and each diet was fed to triplicate groups. The results showed that the growth was significantly lower when dietary SPC replaced more than 45% FM. The turtles fed the S15 or S30 diet showed comparable feed and protein utilization efficiency compared with the S0 group, whereas more than 30% replacement of FM adversely affected these values. Increasing dietary SPC levels significantly lowered the apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, protein, lipid, phosphorus and gross energy. Whole‐body protein, ash and phosphorus content showed a declining trend when dietary SPC levels increased, while body lipid and moisture content were unaffected. When the turtles were fed diets with increasing levels of SPC, serum total protein concentration, alkaline phosphatase and catalase activities decreased with a corresponding increase in glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity. Turtles fed the S60P diet showed comparable growth performance and feed utilization efficiency to the S40 group, and were superior to the S60 group. The present study showed that SPC could successfully substitute for 30% FM protein in the diets for P. sinensis juveniles, and the maximum effective substitution may be greater if exogenous phytase was added.     

The Efficacy of a Novel Microbial 6‐Phytase Expressed in Aspergillus oryzae on the Performance and Phosphorus Utilization of Cold‐ and Warm‐Water Fish: Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss,and Nile Tilapia,Oreochromis niloticus

The efficacy and tolerance of a novel microbial 6‐phytase were investigated in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, and Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Reference diets were sufficient in available phosphorus (P). The test diet limiting in available P was supplemented with phytase at 500, 1000, or 2000 phytase units/kg feed. The enzyme was effective in increasing total P apparent digestibility coefficient in relation to increasing the dose of phytase in rainbow trout and Nile tilapia. Zinc apparent digestibility improved in relation to phytase supplementation in rainbow trout. P release due to phytase supplementation ranged from 0.06 to 0.18% P/kg feed in rainbow trout and from 0.13 to 0.26% P/kg feed in Nile tilapia. A 58‐d performance trial was conducted to evaluate tolerance of fish to phytase supplementation. Dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet without phytase or supplemented with 2000 and 200,000 phytase units/kg feed. Results indicate that this novel microbial 6‐phytase is well tolerated by fish. Significant improvements for growth as well as feed conversion ratio were observed when the phytase was fed at 2000 phytase units/kg feed. This phytase is proven efficient in releasing P from phytate and could be added when plants are used for fish meal replacement in diets for salmonid and omnivorous fish.     

The effect of phytase on apparent digestibility of four practical plant feedstuffs fed to striped bass, Morone saxatilis

This study was conducted to determine the effect of phytase on apparent dry matter (DM), crude protein and phosphorus (P) digestibility of four plant feedstuffs (isolated soya protein, ISP; soyabean meal, SBM; corn gluten meal, CGM and wheat middlings, WM) fed to striped bass Morone saxatilis . One reference diet was formulated based solely on animal feed ingredients. Four test diets were prepared by mixing 60–75% of the reference diet with 40–25% of the test ingredient in order to reach similar levels of total P (0.67–0.73%) and to have a minimum of 35% protein (36.1–53.0%). Chromic oxide was added at 0.5% of the diet and used as an indigestible marker. A phytase solution was sprayed postpelleting on the test diets at a concentration of 1000 phytase units kg⁻¹ (PU kg⁻¹) dry diet. The test diets (with or without phytase supplementation) and the reference diet (nine treatments total) were fed to 3-year-old striped bass and were replicated in time ( n =3) during the 4-week period. Digestibility of DM was significantly lower ( P  < 0.001) for SBM and WM when compared with CGM and ISP and was not influenced by phytase supplementation. Crude protein digestibility was also not affected by phytase supplementation and was significantly lower ( P  < 0.09) for SBM when compared with ISP. Phosphorus digestibility was improved by approximately 23% with the addition of phytase for all four feedstuffs tested ( P  < 0.001). Furthermore, WM had significantly lower ( P  < 0.0001) P digestibility when compared with the other feedstuffs, irrespective of phytase supplementation.     

Supplemental graded levels of neutral phytase using pretreatment and spraying methods in the diet of grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idellus

A feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks to evaluate the effects of graded levels of neutral phytase supplementation using pretreatment or spraying method on growth performance, body composition, bone mineral content and serum biochemical parameter in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idellus. A control diet without phytase was added and six additional diets were arranged as a 2 × 3 factorial with two methods (pretreatment or spraying) and three levels of phytase (500, 1000 or 1500 U kg^?1). The results showed that supplemental phytase at different levels in the diet and with different application methods all improved weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio of grass carp (P < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio in phytase‐supplemented groups was lower than the control. Dietary phytase addition reduced the lipid content in the whole body of grass carp. Phytase supplementation with different method increased ash and mineral (P, Ca, Mg and Zn) contents in whole‐body and vertebra (P < 0.05). The increase in these mineral contents was also observed in the serum. Based on the results, we may conclude that: 1) supplemental dietary phytase, regardless of the application methodology, improved the growth performance and nutrient utilization in grass carp; 2) the pretreatment mode of phytase application was more effective than spraying at the same phytase level.     

Effects of Dietary Supplements on Growth Performance and Phosphorus Waste Production of Australian Catfish,Tandanus tandanus,Fed with Diets Containing Soybean Meal as Fishmeal Replacement

Effects of dietary phytase, amino acid (AA), and inorganic phosphorus (P) in soybean meal (SBM) diets on the growth, feed utilization, and P waste of Australian catfish, Tandanus tandanus, were evaluated. In Experiment 1, SBM replaced 30% of fishmeal (FM) protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase (1000–3000 FTU/kg). In Experiment 2, SBM replaced 45% of FM protein in the four test diets, supplemented with phytase, AAs, inorganic P, or their combinations. Inclusion of 3000 FTU/kg significantly improved growth performance and feed utilization of catfish. Ortho‐P waste was significantly lower in fish fed with SBM diets. At 30% FM protein replacement, dietary SBM did not reduce the total P waste of catfish while dietary phytase significantly did. At 45% FM protein replacement, phytase alone did not significantly improve the growth and feed utilization of catfish fed with SBM diets while significantly better results were obtained when both phytase and AAs were supplemented. Dietary inclusion of inorganic P significantly decreased P utilization and increased P waste of the fish. Dietary phytase significantly improved P utilization of catfish in both experiments.     

Effect of substitution of dietary fishmeal by soya bean meal on different sizes of gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio): nutrient digestibility,growth performance,body composition and morphometry

Four 70‐day growth trials were performed to investigate the effects of substitution of dietary fishmeal (FM) by soya bean meal (SBM) in different sizes of gibel carp CASIII (Carassius auratus gibelio). The initial weights of fry, juvenile, 1‐year fish and broodstock of gibel carp were 0.8, 5.0, 62.7 and 135.6 g, respectively. In each trial, eight diets were formulated to be iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic, and different levels of soy bean meal protein were used to replace fishmeal protein at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80% and 100%. Another diet containing all SBM protein and supplemented with crystalline amino acids was also tested. The results showed that apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of dry matter and energy decreased with SBM substitution while the ADCs of phosphorus increased. The ADCs of protein of high SBM substitution were higher than those of FM groups. Juveniles show lower ADCs than grown‐up fish. Dietary SBM substitution showed negative effects on survival, growth and feed utilization in gibel carp. One‐year fish and broodstock gibel carp have relatively higher tolerance to dietary SBM than fry and juveniles.     

Dietary myo‐inositol requirement for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

An 11‐week growth trial was conducted to determine dietary myo‐inositol (MI) requirement for juvenile gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). Myo‐inositol was supplemented to the basal diet to formulate six purified diets containing 1, 56, 107, 146, 194 and 247 mg MI kg^?1 diet, respectively. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of juvenile gibel carp (initial body weight 3.38 ± 0.27 g, mean ± SD) in a flow‐through system. The diets were randomly assigned to different fish tanks. Fish fed ≥ 107 mg MI kg^?1 diet had significantly higher weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio than those fed 1 mg MI kg^?1 diet. Fish fed ≥ 56 mg MI kg^?1 diet had higher feeding rate and survival compared with fish fed 1 mg MI kg^?1 diet. Dietary supplemental inositol did not affect fish liver inositol concentration. Fish fed ≥ 56 mg MI kg^?1 diet had higher body dry matter, crude protein and gross energy and lower hepatosomatic index than fish fed 1 mg MI kg^?1 diet. Dietary inositol supplementation decreased fish body ash. Quadratic regression of weight gain indicated that the myo‐inositol requirement to maximum growth for juvenile gibel carp was 165.3 mg MI kg^?1 diet.     

Dietary phytase and protease improved growth and nutrient utilization in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus × Oreochromis aureus) fed low phosphorus and fishmeal‐free diets

A 10‐week study was conducted to evaluate the effects of supplemental phytase and protease in low phosphorus (LP) and fishmeal‐free diets (FMF) on growth and nutrient utilization of tilapia. Seven isonitrogenous diets were prepared as positive control diet (PC) containing 60 g/kg fishmeal and 18 g/kg monocalcium phosphate (MCP), LP diet (12 g/kg MCP), FMF diet, LP‐FMF diet, and three enzyme diets with phytase (LP + Ph), protease (FMF + Pr), and phytase + protease (LP‐FMF + Ph + Pr) supplementation in LP, FMF and LP‐FMF diets, respectively. Weight gain, nutrient (except Ca) retention and digestibility of LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups were lower than those of PC group (p < 0.05). Compared to LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups, the supplementation of phytase, protease and phytase + protease improved WG by 13.2%, 11.1% and 13.0% (p < 0.05). The three enzyme groups showed higher digestibility of protein and P, and higher intestinal villus length than those of LP, FMF and LP‐FMF groups (p < 0.05), respectively. Dietary phytase and Ph + Pr also promoted the retentions of crude protein and P (p < 0.05). The results indicated that the supplementation of phytase in LP diet and protease in FMF diet improved the growth and nutrient utilization, and phytase reduced MCP inclusion in the diet of tilapia.     

Top-spraying soybean meal-based diets with phytase improves protein and mineral digestibilities but not lysine utilization in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

Two digestibility trials and two growth trials were carried out to evaluate the influence of top‐sprayed phytase on apparent digestibility coefficients (ADCs) of protein and mineral and utilization in rainbow trout fed with soybean meal‐based diets. In Trial 1, a semi‐purified diet containing 50% soybean meal was supplemented with graded levels of phytase (0, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 U kg^?1 diet), and fed to triplicate groups of fish. In Trial 2, commercial‐type extruded feeds containing 36% soybean meal with either 0 or 2000 U phytase kg^?1 were fed to five replicate groups of fish. Phytase clearly decreased phytic acid content of feces from 35 to 5 mg and from 34 to 14 mg phytic acid per g faecal dry matter in Trials 1 and 2 respectively. Apparent digestibility coefficient of P improved from 23% to 83% in Trial 1 and from 35% to 54% in Trial 2 by phytase. Apparent protein increased by 1.2% and 3.2%‐units by phytase in Trials 1 and 2. Zinc digestibility was significantly increased in Trial 1, but not in Trial 2. Trials 3 and 4 were conducted to evaluate the influence of phytase on dietary P (Trial 3) and lysine (Trial 4) utilization. Three diets were prepared for each trial: P (Trial 3)‐ or lysine (Trial 4)‐deficient basal diets, basal diets with phytase supplementation (2000 U kg^?1) and P (Trial 3)‐ or lysine (Trial 4)‐fortified diets. Rainbow trout (initial weight 20 g) were fed for 10 weeks using four and six replicates for Trials 3 and 4 respectively. Phytase increased P utilization in Trial 3 as demonstrated by an increase in vertebra ash from 24.1% to 45.4%, and by an increase in weight gain from 243% to 459% of the initial weight. Phytase did not increase lysine utilization, since neither protein retention nor weight gain were enhanced by phytase. Supplemental lysine increased protein retention and weight gain to 43.1% and 514%, respectively, and also decreased whole‐body lipid contents significantly from 120 to 123 g kg^?1 in fish fed the basal diet and phytase‐supplemented diet to 106 g kg^?1 in fish fed with lysine‐fortified diet.     

The sparing effect of phytase in plant‐protein‐based diets with decreasing supplementation of dietary NaH2PO4 for juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the sparing effect of dietary phytase on decreasing supplement of dietary sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO₄) in the diets of juvenile yellow catfish Pelteobagrus fulvidraco. Seven diets were formulated: one reference group that contained only 2% NaH₂PO₄; one control group that consisted of neither NaH₂PO₄ nor phytase; and five treatment groups supplemented with 1000 IU kg^?1 phytase and 2%, 1.5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0% concentrations of NaH₂PO₄. Thus, dietary NaH₂PO₄ was substituted with phytase at ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. Triplicate tanks were each filled with 50 juvenile fish (3.5 ± 0.1 g), which were fed one of the seven experimental diets. Substituting phytase for NaH₂PO₄ didn't diminish the growth performance, protein, dry matter, lipid and ash deposit and protein retention in the whole body and reduced feed conversion ratio compared to the reference diet. Moreover, phytase substitution at level of 0–50% enhanced P, Mg and Ca deposit. However, weigh gain had a tendendy of decreasing with increasing substituted level. Phytase substituted level exceeding 75% decreased serum P concentration compared to the control group. Apparent digestibility of P peaked when 1000 IU kg^?1 phytase substituted 50% NaH₂PO₄. Phytase also increased apparent digestibility of protein. The improvement of digestibility of protein and P resulted in the decrease in N load by 25% and P load by 31% to environment. Therefore, 50% dietary NaH₂PO₄ can be substituted by 1000 IU kg^?1 feed phytase for juvenile yellow catfish.     

Dietary phosphorus leaching and apparent phosphorus digestibility from different inorganic phosphorus sources for South African abalone (Haliotis midae L.)

The objective of this study was to determine phosphorus leaching of diets supplemented with various inorganic phosphorus sources [mono basic sodium phosphate (MSP), mono basic calcium phosphate (MCP), a 3 : 1 mixture of mono and dibasic calcium phosphate (MDCP), dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP)], and the apparent phosphorus digestibility of these sources in Haliotis midae. A trend of increased dietary phosphorus leaching from diet pellets with increased water solubility of sources was observed. MSP presented the highest (P < 0.05) phosphorus leaching (58.8%), while a value of 14.9% was obtained with DCP. Unexpectedly high phosphorus leaching (48.7% maximum) was obtained for a reference diet consisting of commercial feed ingredients (fish meal, soya bean meal, cottonseed meal) without any phosphorus supplementation. DCP presented a lower (P < 0.05) apparent phosphorus digestibility (27.9%) than MSP (66.5%), MCP (72.6%) and MDCP (66.3%). When dietary phosphorus leaching and apparent phosphorus digestibility were take into account, MDCP seems to be the most promising inorganic phosphorus source for inclusion in abalone diets. Further research should concentrate on minimizing dietary phosphorus leaching through feed preparation techniques.     

Carbohydrate utilization by herbivorous and omnivorous freshwater fish species: a comparative study on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio. var CAS III) and grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Two 8‐week feeding trials were conducted to evaluate dietary carbohydrate utilization by omnivorous gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) (2.4 ± 0.1 g) and herbivorous grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) (6.5 ± 0.1 g). Five isonitrogenous (370 g kg^?1) and isolipid (70 g kg^?1) diets were formulated with increasing corn starch levels (60, 140, 220, 300 and 380 g kg^?1). Results showed that specific growth rate (SGR), feed efficiency (FE) and protein retention efficiency (PRE) of gibel carp significantly increased from dietary starch of 60 to 300 g kg^?1 and then decreased from 300 to 380 g kg^?1, but those of grass carp showed no significant differences between treatments. Independent of dietary starch levels, grass carp gained significantly higher FE and PRE than gibel carp. Feeding rate (FR) of gibel carp was significantly higher than that of grass carp. In two fish species, high dietary starch (300 and 380 g kg^?1) tended to obtain higher hepatosomatic index (HSI), serum triglyceride, hepatic lipid and body lipid contents. Serum glucose concentration of grass carp was not affected, while that of gibel carp fed the starch of 300 g kg^?1 diet was significantly lower than those of the fish fed other four diets (60, 140, 220 and 380 g kg^?1). Grass carp showed high tolerance to dietary starch while dietary corn starch should be no more than 300 g kg^?1 for gibel carp. High starch contents may cause lipid accumulation in the liver and body.     

Effect of dietary magnesium supplementation on the growth performance of juvenile gibel carp,Carassius auratus gibelio

Gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) of mean initial weight 3.1 g were fed one of seven casein‐dextrin‐based diets containing graded levels of magnesium (Mg) (39, 120, 220, 380, 700, 1600 and 2900 mg kg^?1) for 3 months with the waterborne Mg concentration of 10.6–12.7 mg L^?1. Magnesium sulphate was used as the supplementation Mg source in the diets. The experiment was carried out in a flow‐through system. Growth, survival rate, Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase, Mg²⁺‐ATPase and tissue mineral contents were measured to investigate the effect of dietary magnesium in gibel carp. At the end of the experiment, the hepatopancreas of fish were collected for enzyme determination. The hepatopancreas, vertebrae and whole body were collected for tissue magnesium content analysis. After 3 months, dietary magnesium supplementation did not improve the growth performance, including feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency of juvenile gibel carp. On the contrary, negative impacts on survival, reduced growth performance and dramatically decreased Na⁺/K⁺‐ATPase, Mg²⁺‐ATPase and superoxide dismutase activities were observed in gibel carp fed a high Mg diet of 2900 mg kg^?1. Although serum and hepatopancreas Mg and Ca contents were not affected by dietary Mg supplementation, vertebrae and whole‐body Mg contents increased significantly with the increasing dietary Mg concentrations. Based on the relationship between whole‐body Mg retention and dietary Mg concentration, a suitable dietary Mg level of 745 mg kg^?1 could be estimated for gibel carp. It could be concluded that dietary Mg supplementation did not improve the growth performance, but could increase vertebrae Mg contents of gibel carp. Considering the adverse effects, a dietary Mg concentration of above 2900 mg kg^?1 is not recommended and it should be careful to supplement magnesium in practical diets for gibel carp as most feed ingredients contain high magnesium concentrations.