Study of Chemical Composition and Efficacy of Different Extracts of Iranian Propolis on the Microbiological and Sensory Parameters of Minced Cyprinus carpio Meat at 4°C Storage

This study has evaluated the effects of different concentrations of the water and ethanolic extracts of Iranian propolis (WEP and EEP) on the microbiological and sensory parameters of minced common carp meat that was stored at 4°C for 9 days. The chemical compounds of the extracts were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. The results revealed that WEP and EEP extracts were efficient against the spoilage microorganisms, including total plate counts (TPCs), psychrotrophic populations (PTCs), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), and even Staphylococcus aureus. There was a significant difference in the bacteria growth between samples treated with WEP or EEP and the control sample during storage. Inhibitory effects were, respectively, 7% EEP > 5% EEP > 3% EEP > 7% WEP > 5% WEP > 3% WEP. In all treatments, PTC counts were higher than 7 log CFU/g after 6 days as well as TPC, LAB, and S. aureus populations after 9 days. Overall, the results show that EEP and WEP have good antimicrobial activity due to high phenolic and flavonoid compounds, including caffeic acid, tectochrysin, aceacetin, chrysin, pinostrobin, pinobanksin-3-acetate, galangin-3-methyl ester, and pinocembrin chalcone. Sensory evaluation shows very slight improvement in sensory properties (color, odor, texture, and overall acceptability) of the treated samples with the different extracts of Iranian propolis.     

Changes in Physicochemical and Protein Structural Properties of Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) Muscle Subjected to Different Freeze–Thaw Cycles

The present study investigated physicochemical and protein structural changes in common carp muscle subjected to different freeze–thaw (FT) cycles. With increasing number of FT cycles, the thawing losses, cooking loss, L*- and b*-value increased, and shear forces and a*-value decreased (p < 0.05). The study showed that multiple FT processes were detrimental to color and water-holding capacity of carp muscle. The increases in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and carbonyl content with concomitant decrease in sulfhydryl group content (p < 0.05) showed that multiple FT caused carp lipid and protein oxidation, especially for the carp muscle subjected to five freeze–thaw cycles. Myofibrillar protein isolated from FT muscle showed an increased hydrophobicity, reduced ATPase activity, and enhanced susceptibility to thermal aggregation (p < 0.05). These protein structural changes resulted in major losses in muscle quality. Overall, the disrupted protein structure, together with the denaturation of myofibrillar protein induced by FT, was most likely associated with lowered muscle quality.     

Comparative Studies of β-carotene and Protein Production From Dunaliella salina Isolated From Lake Hoze-soltan,Iran

A novel Dunaliella salina (D. salina) was isolated from Hoze-soltan Lake, Iran. The investigated strain was capable of producing carotenoids and protein, using different NaCl concentrations and pH variations in Hoze-soltan saline water. The experiment was carried out within 42 days. The results indicated that protein production and pigmentation correlated well with growth rate. The optimum amount for growth, carotenogenesis, and protein production was determined in a culture with 10% NaCl and pH 8.5. After 42-days incubation, 14.95 ± 0.6 μg/mL of carotenoids and 186 ± 8.6 μg/mL of protein were obtained in this medium. Further observation revealed that growth was inhibited in all samples with 30% NaCl. The amount of each biosynthesized component by Dunaliella salina was in accordance with growth stage, cell number, and growth pattern of microalgae.     

Effect of Chitosan and Garlic Essential Oil on Microbiological and Biochemical Changes that Affect Quality in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) Fillets During Storage at 4°C

Solutions of chitosan (2%, w/v), garlic essential oil (5%, v/v), and their combination (2%, w/v chitosan +5%, v/v garlic essential oil) were applied to the surface of grass carp fillets. Subsequently, sensory, microbiological analyses (total viable count (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., Aeromonas spp., and H₂S-producing bacteria), and physicochemical changes (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and centrifugation loss) of grass carp fillets were evaluated over a 16-day storage at 4 ± 1°C. The treated samples resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher overall acceptance scores than the control from day 8. The TVC of grass carp fillets was reduced from the initial level (4.0 log CFU/g) to 2–3 log CFU/g when the fillets were treated with either garlic essential oil or chitosan solution. After 4 days of storage, the Pseudomonas spp. counts in the chitosan-treated samples were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the counts in control and samples treated with garlic essential oil. A lag phase of 6 days for the counts of H₂S-producing bacteria of fish fillets that were treated with chitosan or the combination solution was observed. The combination of chitosan with garlic essential oil did not show synergistic effects, although it displayed a higher degree of antimicrobial efficacy with respect to the spoiled bacteria. However, the combination of chitosan with garlic essential oil was the most effective at inhibiting the formation of TVB-N. Samples that were treated with garlic essential oil displayed the highest TBARS levels on days 4 and 6 (p < 0.05).     

Relationship between Lipid Oxidation,Protein Function Properties,and Freshness Changes of Salt-Treated Blunt-Snout Bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) Fillets Stored at 4°C

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lipid oxidation, protein function properties, and freshness changes of blunt-snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) fillets treated with 2% and 4% salt during storage at 4°C. Salting with 2% and 4% salt could delay quality deterioration and protein denaturation, thus improving sensory attributes to some extent. But, 4% salt promoted lipid oxidation of blunt-snout bream fillets. There is a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between freshness indexes and lipid oxidation or protein function properties (total SH content, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity). Salting with 2% salt is an ideal treatment to control the quality of blunt-snout bream fillets stored at 4°C.     

Ameliorating effect of β-carotene on antioxidant response and hematological parameters of mercuric chloride toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The impact of different levels of dietary β-carotene to alleviate the effect of mercuric chloride toxicity in Nile tilapia was assessed. Semi-purified diets containing 0, 40, and 100 mg β-carotene kg^?1 dry diet were fed for 21 days, which were subjected to sublethal concentration of mercuric chloride (0.05 ppm). Hematological and biochemical parameters, lipid profile, and antioxidant response were examined. All hematological parameters of tilapia fish starting from second week of toxicity were significantly decreased. A significant increasing trend in liver enzymes (ALT and AST) were observed parallel to the time of toxicity and peroxide radicals (MDA) appearing significantly increased in toxicated group without carotene supplement, although carotene supplementation return all parameters within the control levels. Mercury accumulated significantly in fish liver and white muscles in toxicated group while it showed a significant reduction in dietary β-carotene-treated group. Overall, it can be used as immunostimulant and alleviate the suppression effect resulted from immune depressive stressful condition in farmed Nile tilapia.     

Trends in import and export of fishery products in the Czech Republic during 2010–2015

There has been a worldwide increase in consumption of fish from open waters and aquaculture during the last decades. In 2013, the Czech Republic was the sixth largest producer of fish within the EU, with annual production of 20,135 tonnes. However, during the period 2010–2015 import of fishery products to the Czech Republic increased from 39,098 to 43,399 tonnes. The monetary value of import increased by 81 % from 90.2 million EUR in 2010 to 169.9 million EUR in 2015. In 2010, the major imported fishery product was frozen fillets of sutchi catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) from Vietnam (8872 tonnes). In 2015, the most imported fishery product was whole chilled salmon (Salmo salar) from Norway (6897 tonnes). During 2010–2015, the export of fishery products increased from 18,167 to 22,134 tonnes, which is an increase by 21.8 %. The value of export has increased by 80 % from 54.5 million EUR in 2010 to 98.1 million EUR in 2015. The major exported fish was live common carp (Cyprinus carpio) at volume of 7545–9075 tonnes. This study looks at changes in market, volume and value of fish imported and exported during the last 6 years.     

Effect of High Pressure Processing on the Quality and Endogenous Enzyme Activities of Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) Fillets Stored at 4ºC

ABSTRACT

This study assessed effects of high pressure processing on physicochemical quality and endogenous enzyme activities of grass carp fillets stored at 4 ºC for 21-day storage. Fresh fillets were vacuum-packed and subjected to high pressure processing (0.1, 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 MPa at room temperature for 15 min). Results showed that high pressure processing significantly delayed microbial growth, and reduced total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels of grass carp fillets, especially for the 600 MPa group. On the 21st day, the corresponding increases of 6%, 35%, 45%, 43%, and 53% in hardness were observed for 200 MPa, 300 MPa, 400 MPa, 500 MPa, and 600 MPa samples compared with control samples, respectively. In addition, enzyme activities in different groups decreased during storage. Among them, calpain, and myofibril-bound serine proteinases (MBSP) activities were immediately reduced after high pressure treatments, while the activities of collagenase, cathepsin B, and cathepsin D were significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited when the pressure exceeded 400 MPa. However, the pressure treatments activated cathepsin L initially, and then the activity gradually decreased in treated samples. Generally, high pressure processing reduced activities of most of the endogenous enzymes and improved the quality and extended the shelf life by at least 4 ~ 6 days of refrigerated grass carp fillets.     

Effect of diet and β-naphthoflavone on hepatic and renal glutathione S-transferase isoenzymes in carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isoenzymes were isolated from liver and kidney of carp (Cyprinus carpio) by glutathione affinity chromatography and chromatofocusing. Ten hepatic and eight renal catalytically active isoenzymes were identified. GST subunits from purified isoenzymes were further separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and were used as standards for the experimental sample analysis. Experimental samples came from carp that were fed fish meal (standard diet) or soybean bas ed diets for one year, injected or not with -naphthoflavone (BNF; i.p. injection of 50 mg kg-1). HPLC did not allow us to identify precisely the GST isoenzyme pattern in experimental carp. However, GSTs could be pooled in three categories: homodimeric, heterodimeric and unidentified GST subunits. On this basis, the effect of diet and BNF on the GST isoenzyme pattern was investigated. The homodimer/heterodimer ratio was decreased in liver of carp fed a standard diet and in kidney of both dietary groups. BNF increased the total specific GST activity in liver and kidney. However, the GST isoenzyme pattern was not modified in carp fed the standard diet while tissue specific modifications occured in carp fed the soybean diet. BNF decreased the homodimer/heterodimer ratio in liver and increased it in kidney. Abbreviations: BNF - -naphthoflavone; CDNB - 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene; GSH - reduced glutathione; GST - glutathione S-transferase; HPLC - high-performance liquid chromatography; SDS-PAGE - SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Bioaccumulation of hexachlorocyclohexane,dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, and estradiol-17β in catfish and carp during the pre-monsoon season in India

This investigation was performed to monitor hexachlorocyclohexane isomers (HCHs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT, and its metabolites, refered to as DDTs), plasma levels of estradiol-17β (E2), and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) between sampling sites of unpolluted ponds of Gujartal, Jaunpur (control site) and the polluted rivers Gomti (Jaunpur) and Ganga (Varanasi), which affect the reproductive physiology of some edible catfish and carp during the pre-monsoon season. HCHs and DDTs were measured by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and hormones by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results indicated that the level of HCHs and DDTs was very high in both the catfish and the carp captured from the polluted rivers compared with the fish captured from the control site. The GSI and E2 values were lower in both groups of fish when compared to the fish from the control site. The results also indicate that catfish showed greater bioaccumulation of HCHs and DDTs than carp, above the permissible limit, as compared to the fish from the control site. In conclusion, fish from the Gomti and Ganga rivers were highly polluted when compared with fish from the control site, as was evident from high levels of tissue bioaccumulation of HCHs and DDTs and decreased levels of plasma E2, inhibiting the reproductive physiology of these species at the receptor level. The levels exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRL) as recommended by Codex, hence it is suggested that the fish should be avoided for food purposes.     

PCR cloning and identification of the β-haemolysin gene of Aeromonas hydrophila from freshwater fishes in China

In this study, β-haemolysin gene (AHTPS30HEM) of Aeromonas hydrophila was cloned from diseased fish in mainland China. AHTPS30HEM gene (AB021152) resulted in a 1589 bp fragment which covers the open reading frame (ORF) in region 5–1486 coding for 493 amino acids. Multiple alignment of AHTPS30HEM with other β-haemolysin amino acid sequences showed 18 amino acid substitutions between AHTPS30HEM and A. hydrophila β-haemolysin. Although the ORF sizes between AHTPS30HEM and Aeromonas species are different, four cysteins and four potential N-glycosylation sites were conserved. To identify the β-haemolysin-producing virulent or pathogenic A. hydrophila, a specific PCR to amplify 208 bp target DNA of β-haemolysin gene was established. Twenty strains containing pathogenic A. hydrophila, Aeromonas sobria, Vibrio anguillarum, Cytophaga columnaris, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Yersinia yuckeri were investigated by PCR. Based on the cloned β-haemolysin sequences, the specific PCR method for identification of the β-haemolysin gene of A. hydrophila was established, and surveyed on those samples. The results indicated that β-haemolysin-specific PCR might be useful in the detection of pathogenic A. hydrophila.     

Habitat and prey selection of common minke,sei, and Bryde’s whales in mesoscale during summer in the subarctic and transition regions of the western North Pacific

This study represents the first quantitative analysis of the characteristics of the distribution areas and stomach contents of common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata, sei whale B. borealis, and Bryde’s whale B. edeni in relation to oceanographic and prey environments in mid summer in the western North Pacific. Common minke whales were distributed within subarctic regions and the northernmost region of the transitional domain, coinciding with the main habitat of their preferred prey, Pacific saury Cololabis saira. Sei whales were mainly found in the northernmost part of the transition zone and showed prey preference for Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonica, which was significantly more abundant in the main distribution area of the whale than in its adjacent areas. “Hot spots” of Bryde’s whales were found in several regions of the transition zone between the subarctic boundary and the Kuroshio front. This whale species preferred Japanese anchovy as prey, for which the distribution density was significantly higher in the main distribution area of the whale than in the adjacent areas. These results indicate that the summer distributions of Pacific saury and Japanese anchovy greatly influence the distributions of these whale species, suggesting that the whales’ habitat selection is closely related to their prey selection.     

Complementary DNA cloning and functional analysis of lycopene β-cyclase in the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida

Fisheries Science - To date, there is no functional evidence of the enzymes catalyzing carotenogenesis in brown algae. In this study, we have investigated the activity of brown algal lycopene...     

Fluctuations of abundance and survival rate during the egg and larval stages of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus in the Seto Inland Sea (1980–2007)

In order to understand the processes affecting early survival of the Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus population in the Seto Inland Sea, we examined the monthly fluctuations in the abundance and survival rates from eggs to recruits (15-day-old larvae, 13?mm in standard length fish, defined as 1-month-old fish) during their main spawning season from 1980 to 2007. The abundance of the yolksac larvae positively correlated with the abundance of eggs, but the abundance of recruits did not significantly correlate with the abundance of yolksac larvae. These results imply that the survival rate during the egg stage is relatively stable, but that the rate during the larval stage is variable. Of the three most recent decades (1980s, 1990s and 2000s), the abundance of recruits was highest in the 1980s. The decrease in the abundance of recruits after the 1990s can be considered to have occurred through a decline in survival rate during the larval stage because there were no significant differences in egg abundance, yolksac larval abundance, and survival rates during the egg stage in the three decades of the study period.     

Effect of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and 17 β-estradiol (E2) on growth, survival and histological structure of the internal organs in juvenile European catfish Silurus glanis (L.)

The effect of supplemented commercial diets with diethylstilbestrol (DES—15, 30 and 60 mg kg^?1) and 17 β-estradiol (E2—30 and 60 mg kg^?1), two chemicals commonly used in sex reversal procedure in fish, on survival and growth parameters of juvenile European catfish (Silurus glanis) was evaluated. During the two experiments, lasting 28 days each, fish were kept at temperature 25.2–26.5 °C, pH 7.4–9.3 and oxygen concentration 5.0–7.3 mg O₂ dm^?3. DES supplementation resulted in depressed growth rate of catfish. In experimental groups fed with E2, no negative effect on growth parameters was found. Both chemicals did not result in observed mortality. In all of the experimental DES groups, hepatosomatic index increased significantly, which suggests negative influence on physiological condition of catfish. DES supplementation significantly changed cytological factors of liver cells and caused hepatic alterations in parenchyma, such as vacuolization and blood congestion. Similarly, supplementation of E2 in food resulted in changes in cytological parameters of hepatocytes. However, E2 did not cause pathological changes within the liver tissue. Histological examination of the catfish gonads showed 19 and 38 % of sterile fish after treatment with 30 and 60 mg kg^?1 of DES, respectively. The results suggest that DES served in food could be ineffective in hormonal feminization process of European catfish. No disturbances of sex differentiation process after E2 treatment were observed. However, slight feminization effect in the highest level of E2 treatment group was recorded.     

Effect of long-term administration of dietary β-1,3-glucan on growth, physiological, and immune responses in Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

β-1,3-Glucan at different dietary doses was administered to enhance the growth, immunity, and survival against nitrite stress in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Four different diets supplemented with 0, 250, 500, or 1,000 mg of β-1,3-glucan kg⁻¹ diets were fed to L. vannamei. Growth performance (weight gain and survival rate), physiological conditions (blood total protein, glucose, lactate, triacylglycerols, cholesterol levels) and immunological responses (superoxide dismutase, catalase, lysozyme, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase activities) of shrimp were recorded after 84-day feeding and 120 h after exposed to nitrite-N. After 84-day feeding, 250 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan diet resulted in better weight gain (P < 0.05). Before the nitrite stress, blood lactate, triacylglycerols, and cholesterol level in shrimp fed with 250 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan diet were significantly higher than those observed in shrimp fed with other diets (P < 0.05). Higher activities of catalase, lysozyme, and alkaline phosphatase were observed in shrimp fed with 500 or 1,000 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan diet as compared to those obtained in shrimp fed with other diets (P < 0.05). After 120-h nitrite stress, blood protein, lactate, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in shrimp fed with 500 or 1,000 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan were significantly higher than those observed in shrimp fed with other diets (P < 0.05). Glucose and triacylglycerol levels of shrimp fed with 500 or 1,000 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan were significantly lower than those observed in other diets (P < 0.05). In shrimp fed with 500 and 1,000 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan and 120-h after nitrite stress, the mortality was significantly lower than that observed in shrimp of control. Together, in this 84-day feeding trial, 250 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan improved growth, whereas 500 mg kg⁻¹ β-1,3-glucan preferentially improved nitrite resistance, probably through accelerating energy metabolism and activating immune system.     

CYP1A1 immunolocalization in the olfactory organ of rainbow trout and its possible induction by β-naphthoflavone: analysis in adults and embryos around hatching

Cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) isoform, which is known as being of major toxicological significance, has been well-studied in the mammalian olfactory mucosa. Only few studies have dealt with this biotransformation system in the fish olfactory organ which is particularly vulnerable to waterborne xenobiotics since sensory neurons are in direct contact with the aquatic environment. The present immunocytochemical study describes the cellular and subcellular distributions of CYP1A1 in the olfactory organ of rainbow trout in both adults and embryos around hatching. The enzyme inducibility in response to a 4-day exposure to waterborne -naphthoflavone (0.1 mg l^–1), a model inducer of CYP1A1, was also examined. In untreated adult fish, CYP1A1 was almost exclusively expressed in the nonsensory epithelium which covers the edges and the tip of the lamellae. Both goblet and ciliated nonsensory cells appeared immunoreactive. In -naphthoflavone-treated fish, in addition to a strong labeling in the nonsensory epithelium, ciliated nonsensory cells in the olfactory epithelium appeared well-labeled. Four days before hatching, only a few cells were weakly stained in the placodal epithelium of some embryos. By 7 days post-hatching, the enzyme expression was increased in the olfactory pit and it was restricted to ciliated nonsensory cells. No evident CYP1A1 induction was detected in either embryos or alevins. Results suggest the presence of a two-line CYP1A1 biotransformation system in the adult fish olfactory organ: a basal level of enzyme expression insured by the nonsensory epithelium and an additional line in which the sensory epithelium is activated in response to CYP1A1 inducers. This system might take place during development in parallel with the onset of the nonsensory epithelium.     

Role of thyroid hormones in tilapia larvae (Oreochromis mossambicus): II. Changes in the hormones and 5′-monodeiodinase activity during development

Thyroid hormone profiles and 5-monodeiodinase activity were determined in tilapia at different stages of early development. The results showed that both T₄ and T₃ were present in significant amounts in fertilized eggs. There was a steady decrease in both T₄ and T₃ levels during embryonic development. The levels continued to decline after hatching until around 7 days later when most of the yolk had been absorbed. The T₄ level started to rise then, suggesting that the larval thyroid had begun to produce T₄ at this time, which coincided with the period of faster growth of the larvae. The T₃ level remained fairly constant until around 20 days after which it rose significantly. In vitro determination of 5-monodeiodinase activity (5-D activity) in the whole-body homogenates of larvae showed that the enzymatic conversion of T₄ to T₃ was not detectable in eggs and 3-day-old larvae but detected in 5-day-old and older larvae. There was a gradual increase in the V_max as development proceeded indicating increasing 5-D activity during larval development. The K_m values did not differ significantly in the different stages of development. These results are discussed in relation to the growth and development of the larvae.