Growth and immune response of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) postlarvae fed diets containing Chlorella vulgaris (Beijerinck)

A 50‐day growth trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Chlorella vulgaris (Beijerinck) as an ingredient in the diets of giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man) postlarvae (PL30). Immune response (total haemocyte count and prophenoloxidase activity) was also assessed by subjecting postlarvae to a challenge test against Aeromonas hydrophila (Chester) for 14 days. Iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic test diets were prepared using a fishmeal‐based‐positive control diet (D0) and four basal diets with inclusion levels of 2% (D2), 4% (D4), 6% (D6) and 8% (D8) C. vulgaris. Postlarvae of M. rosenbergii were randomly stocked (mean initial body weight of 0.19 ± 0.02 g) in 30‐L tanks in three replicates per dietary treatment for evaluation of growth performance. Another set of postlarvae (mean initial body weight of 1.25 ± 0.02 g) was randomly distributed in 95‐L tanks in three replicates per dietary treatment for the assessment of immune response. Results showed that specific growth rate was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in postlarvae fed D4 and D6. Variations in values for carcass protein, lipid, moisture and ash were also evident. Postlarvae fed diets with Chlorella showed increased prophenol oxidase activity and total haemocyte counts. Moreover, survival rate after challenge with A. hydrophila was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Inclusion of C. vulgaris in diets enhanced immune response and resistance of M. rosenbergii postlarvae against A. hydrophila infection.     

Growth parameters of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and red seaweed Gracilaria corticata in integrated culturing method under zero water exchange system

Growth parameters of whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei and red seaweed Gracilaria corticata were measured using integrated culturing method under zero‐water exchange system in a 45‐day period. A 2 × 3 factorial design was used with two levels of shrimp stocking densities and three levels of seaweed weight densities. G. corticata was cultured on a net tied to a round polyethylene frame. Culture tanks were filled with 750‐L filtered seawater. A 40‐W compact fluorescent lamp was hung over each tank to provide adequate and sufficient light for seaweed growth. Growth parameters of shrimp and seaweed such as specific growth rate (SGR), weight gained (WG) and average daily growth (ADG) were computed based on the initial and final weight of shrimp and seaweed. The maximum and minimum SGR of L. vannamei (1.97 and 1.69%/day) were observed in treatment S₁A₃ (25 shrimp/m² and 400 g seaweed/m²) and S₂A₁ (50 shrimp/m² without seaweed) respectively. The best survival rate (94.67 ± 1.33%), WG (129.9 ± 2.9%) and feed conversion ratio (1.67 ± 0.04) were also observed in treatment S₁A₃. The SGR of G.corticata in the treatment S₁A₃ (1.97 ± 0.00%/day) was significantly higher, compared to others. Strong positive correlations were obtained between the density of G. corticata and the growth parameters of L. vannamei. The red seaweed G. corticata could boost the growth parameters, survival rate and total production of L. vannamei under zero‐water exchange system.     

Effect of Ocimum sanctum Linn. (Tulsi) extract on the immunity and survival of Labeo rohita (Hamilton) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

A 60 days study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of water extract of Ocimum sanctum Linn. leaf on the immune response and disease resistance of Labeo rohita fingerlings against the Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Ocimum sanctum extract was incorporated in the diets (at 0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1%) of Labeo rohita, rohu fingerlings (6.6 ± 0.013 g). After 42 days blood, plasma and serum were sampled to determine super oxide anion production, lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin in plasma, blood glucose, serum total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, WBC, RBC, haemoglobin content. Fish were challenged with A. hydrophila after 42 days and mortalities were recorded over 18 days post infection. The results demonstrate enhanced super oxide anion production, lysozyme activity, total immunoglobulin in plasma, serum total protein, globulin, total RBC counts, total WBC counts and haemoglobin content (P < 0.05) in treatments group compared with control group. Dietary O. sanctum extracts of 0.2% showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher protection relative percentage survival (RPS 40.00 ± 5.773%) against A. hydrophila infection than control. These results indicate that O. sanctum leaf extract stimulates the immunity and makes L. rohita more resistant to bacterial infection (A. hydrophila).     

Feeding gelatinized carbohydrate in the diets of magur,Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus, 1758): Effects on growth performance,enzyme activities and expression of muscle regulatory factors

This study was conducted to illustrate the effect of dietary gelatinized starch (GS) on the growth performance, enzyme activities and expression of MyoD and Myf5 in magur, Clarias batrachus fingerlings. Four iso‐nitrogenous (37%) and iso‐lipidic (6%) diets containing 15% (D‐1), 25% (D‐2), 35% (D‐3) or 45% (D‐4) GS were fed to 240 fingerlings (2.5 ± 0.5 g) in triplicates groups for 8 weeks. The maximum weight gain %, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, lower FCR and higher mRNA expression of MyoD or Myf5 were found in the D‐3 group fed with 35% GS. Higher hepatosomatic index, viscerosomatic index, body lipid and lower moisture content were found in the D‐4 group. Aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase activities were found to be higher in the D‐1 group. Amylase, glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and blood glucose were higher in the D‐4 group. Superoxide dismutase, catalase and hexokinase activities remain unaffected by the dietary GS levels. Hence, the overall results indicate that 35% GS can improve growth performance and upregulate myogenic regulatory factors, but 45% GS level will favor lipogenesis and compromise growth. Furthermore, Myf5 gene showed more immediate response than the MyoD to the dietary carbohydrate in magur.     

Dietary ascorbic acid requirement for growth of striped catfish,Pangasianodon hypophthalmus (Sauvage, 1878) juveniles

A sixty‐day feeding trial was conducted to determine the ascorbic acid (AA) requirement for growth of striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus juveniles. Seven iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐energetic (370 g protein per kg and 19.6 MJ/kg) purified diets were prepared with different levels of ascorbic acid such as control (0), T₁ (17.5), T₂ (35), T₃ (70), T₄ (175), T₅ (350) and T₆ (700) mg ascorbic acid (L‐ascorbyl‐2‐polyphosphate) equivalent per kg diet. Fish with a mean body weight of 3.2–3.4 g were stocked (fifteen fish per tank) in triplicates following a completely randomized design. Each group was fed to satiation twice a day for 60 days. Significant differences were observed in growth, survival, body composition and metabolic enzymes activities with different dietary ascorbic acid levels. Maximum weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were found in fishes fed with 35 mg AA per kg diet, supported by best feed conversion. Fish fed a diet containing vitamin C had the highest activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to those fed with vitamin C‐depleted diets. In this study, based on using broken‐line regression analysis, the dietary vitamin C requirement for growth of P. hypophthalmus juveniles was estimated to be in the range of 46–76 mg AA per kg, depending on the criterion used, growth and liver storage. Our results will be helpful for the formulation of cost‐effective ascorbic acid incorporated diets for striped catfish, P. hypophthalmus.     

Effect of guava Psidium guajava (L.) aqueous extract diet on growth performance,intestinal morphology,immune response and survival of Oreochromis niloticus challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila

An 84‐day feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the effects of aqueous Psidium guajava leaf extract (PGE) on growth, intestinal morphology, physiology, immune response and susceptibility of Oreochromis niloticus to Aeromonas hydrophila. Diets containing 0% (P0), 0.25% (P1), 0.50% (P2), 0.75% (P3) and 1.00% (P4) PGE were fed to triplicate groups of fish (mean weight; 1.32 ± 0.04 g) for 84 days. After the 84‐day feeding trial, test fish were injected with pathogenic A. hydrophila and then fed for 14 days. More feed were consumed in groups of fish fed PGE‐treated diets and resulted in significantly higher weight gain and feed intake. Incidentally, there was an increase in the calculated area of absorption of fish fed PGE diets, as accounted for by marginally higher villi length and width. Antioxidant and immune response were improved with PGE inclusion in diets as total protein, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S‐transferase significantly increased (p < 0.05) in fish fed PGE diets. Results of the challenge test with A. hydrophila revealed that the highest mortality (100%) was recorded in P0. This study revealed that inclusion of P. guajava extract in the diet of O. niloticus improved growth, nutrient utilization, immune system and survival of O. niloticus fingerlings.     

Nutrient removal efficiency of Hydropuntia cornea in an integrated closed recirculation system with pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis

In this study, we have tested the effect of seaweed stocking density in an experimental seaweed biofilter using the economically important red seaweed Hydropuntia cornea integrated with the cultivation of the pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis. Nutrient removal efficiency was evaluated in relation to seaweed stocking density (2.5, 4, 6 and 8 g fw L^?1). Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) was the main nitrogen source excreted by F. brasiliensis, with concentrations ranging from 41.6 to 65 μM of NH₄⁺‐N. H. cornea specific growth rates ranged from 0.8 ± 0.2 to 1.4 ± 0.5% day^?1 with lowest growth rates at higher seaweed stocking density (8 g fw L^?1). Nutrient removal was positively correlated with the cultivation densities in the system. TAN removal efficiency increased from 61 to 88.5% with increasing seaweed stocking density. Changes in the chemical composition of the seaweed were analysed and correlated with nutrient enrichment from shrimp effluent. The red seaweed H. cornea can be cultured and used to remove nutrients from shrimp effluents in an integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture system applied to a closed recirculation system. Recirculation through seaweed biofilters in land‐based intensive aquaculture farms can also be a tool to increase recirculation practices and establish full recirculation aquaculture systems (RAS) with all their known associated benefits.     

Optimization of de‐oiled rice bran inclusion level in the diet of Labeo rohita: Effect on growth performance,nutrient utilization,insulin‐like growth factors I and II gene expression

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to optimize the inclusion level of de‐oiled rice bran (DORB) in the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings. Six iso‐nitrogenous (260g/kg), iso‐lipidic (70g/kg) and iso‐energetic (15 MJ/Kg) diets were prepared with different inclusion level of DORB viz., T33, T38_, T43, T48, T53 and T58. One hundred and eighty fingerlings (9.8 ± 0.5 g) were randomly distributed in seven experimental groups in triplicates following a completely randomized design. The weight gain %, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio were found similar in 33%, 38% and 43% DORB fed groups. The expression of both insulin‐like growth factors I and II (IGF‐I and II) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in T33, T38 and T43 groups. Based on second order polynomial regression analysis (y = ?0.0059x² + 0.4573x ? 4.8404, R² = 0.95), the expression of IGF‐I was found to be maximum at 39.5% inclusion level of DORB. Significantly (p < 0.05) lower muscle RNA content, RNA‐DNA ratio and higher feed conversion ratio were found in T58 group. Hence, from these results, it can be concluded that the optimum inclusion of DORB in the diet (260g/kg CP and 70g/kg lipid) of L. rohita should be 39.5% to support maximum nutrient utilization and growth performance.     

Effects of dietary protein levels on the growth,body composition,serum biochemistry and digestive enzyme activity in Chinese rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fingerlings

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the influence of dietary protein levels on growth performance, body composition, haematological parameters and digestive enzyme activity of Chinese rice field eel (Monopterus albus) fingerlings. Six isolipidic experimental diets (27.89%, 32.23%, 35.95%, 40.06%, 43.31% and 46.53%) were formulated to randomly assign to triplicate groups of 50 rice field eel fingerlings (5.0 ± 0.5 g) cultured in plastic cages. Results indicated that the best growth performance of fish with the highest WG (158.68 ± 31.59%) and SGR (2.28 ± 0.21%) was obtained at 40.06% group. Significant alterations were demonstrated on whole‐body crude protein, crude lipid and amino acid profile by different dietary protein levels. Besides, haematological parameters including triacylglycerol, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase decreased with various levels by the increasing of dietary protein levels. The lowest pepsin activity was observed in 27.89% protein group, which suggested lower availability of protein as substrate for protease activity. Meanwhile, the highest amylase activity in fish of 27.89% group indicated higher carbohydrate level in this group. Based on the polynomial regression analysis of WG and SGR, the dietary protein requirement for fingerlings of Monopterus albus was estimated to be 386.4–390.8 g/kg, respectively, with the lipid level of 10.08%.     

Evaluation of the optimum dietary protein level for the maximum growth of juvenile beluga (Huso huso L.1758)

A 10‐week feeding trial was carried out to evaluate the optimum dietary protein level for the maximum growth of juvenile beluga, Huso huso. Fish averaging 1.34 ± 0.07 g (mean ± SD) was randomly distributed into 18 circular fibreglass tanks of 500 L capacity (20 fish per tank). Six iso‐caloric diets were formulated to contain 30 (CP₃₀), 35 (CP₃₅), 40 (CP₄₀), 45 (CP₄₅), 50 (CP₅₀) and 55% (CP₅₅) crude protein (CP). Fish were fed each of the six experimental diets in triplicate groups. At the end of feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) in fish fed CP₄₀ and CP₄₅ diets were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀, CP₃₅, CP₅₀ and CP₅₅ diets (P < 0.05). Lipid retention increased significantly from 24.7% to 31.6%, but protein retention decreased from 54.6% to 35.6% with increasing protein levels from 30% to 50%. Muscle total essential and non‐essential amino acid (EAA & NEAA) concentrations increased with the dietary protein level up to CP₄₅ diets. Muscle total EAA concentrations (%) of fish fed CP₄₅ were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀, CP₃₅, CP₅₀ and CP₅₅, but there was no significantly different between those of fish fed CP₄₀ and CP₄₅. Muscle total NEAA concentration (%) of fish fed CP₄₅ were significantly higher than those of fish fed CP₃₀ and CP₃₅ diets. Broken‐line analysis of WG suggested that the optimum dietary protein level could be 38.9% for maximum growth performance in juvenile beluga (1.3–77 g).     

Nano zinc vis‐à‐vis inorganic Zinc as feed additives: Effects on growth,activity of hepatic enzymes and non‐specific immunity in rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings

The effects of dietary administration of inorganic zinc (zinc sulphate, ZnSO₄) and nano zinc (zinc oxide nanoparticles, ZnO‐NP) were evaluated in rohu, Labeo rohita fingerlings. Fish were fed with a basal diet (Control) supplemented with ZnSO₄ (T1, T2 and T3) and ZnO‐NP (T4, T5 and T6) at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, for a duration of 45 days. The results revealed that fish fed diet containing 20 mg ZnO‐NP per kg (T5) had the highest weight gain and specific growth rate (SGR, % per day), which was significantly different (p < .05) from the other experimental diets. Significantly (p < .05), higher activities of the digestive and metabolic enzymes were recorded in the fish fed ZnO‐NP containing diets as compared to the diets containing inorganic Zn or control diet. The maximum serum glucose and protein levels were noted in fish reared on diet T5. Both SGOT and SGPT activities were significantly increased in fish fed Zn‐supplemented diets (T1 to T6), as compared to the control group. Similarly, innate immune parameters were improved with feeding Zn incorporated diets. The highest phagocytic (40.74 ± 0.65%) and respiratory burst (0.33 ± 0.001, OD 630nm) activities were recorded in the fish fed diet containing ZnO‐NPs at 20 mg/kg (T5). The maximum superoxide production and serum peroxidase activity were detected in the fish fed T5 and T6 diets. Overall, results indicated that short‐duration feeding (≤45 days) of dietary ZnO‐NP (20 mg/kg) improved growth, enzyme activity, serum biochemical parameters and immune function in rohu fingerlings.     

Determination of dietary phosphorus requirement of stinging catfish Heteropneustes fossilis based on feed conversion,growth, vertebrae phosphorus,whole body phosphorus,haematology and antioxidant status

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the dietary phosphorus requirement of Heteropneustes fossilis fingerlings (7.7 ± 0.04 g). Fish were fed casein–gelatine‐based purified diets in triplicate groups near satiation with seven different levels of dietary phosphorus (3.2, 5.2, 7.2, 9.2, 11.2, 13.2 and 15.2 g/kg dry diet). All diets were formulated to be isoproteic (400 g/kg) and isoenergetic (17.89 kJ/g). Highest absolute weight gain (68.38 g/fish), best feed conversion ratio (1.48), protein retention efficiency (30.74%), protein gain (12.44 g/fish), haemoglobin (11.19 g/dL), RBCs (3.12 x10⁶/mm³), haematocrit (33.44%) and serum phosphate (2.82 mg/L) were found at 9.2 g/kg phosphorus. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activity were also significantly influenced by the dietary phosphorus levels. Whole body and vertebrae phosphorus concentrations increased significantly as the amount of dietary phosphorus increased from 3.2 to 11.2 g/kg dry diet and then plateaued. More accurate information on dietary phosphorus requirement was obtained by subjecting the AWG, FCR, vertebrae phosphorus and whole body phosphorus concentrations data against various levels of dietary phosphorus to broken‐line analysis, which yielded the requirement in the range of 9.0–11.0 g/kg for optimum growth and mineralization of H. fossilis.     

Effects of dietary Nutrafito Plus on growth,haemotological parameters and total ammonia‐nitrogen excretion of juvenile striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus

A feeding trial was performed to determine the effect of a commercial source of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts (Nutrafito Plus^®), in practical diets, on striped catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus growth, feed utilization, body composition, total ammonia‐nitrogen (TAN) excretion and haematological parameters. Four experimental diets were supplemented with Nutrafito Plus^® at 0%, 0.01%, 0.02% and 0.03% (diets: control, N01, N02 and N03 respectively). Three replicate groups of striped catfish, with initial mean weight of 1.78 ± 0.05 g, were fed one of the four diets for 12 weeks. The specific growth rate (SGR) and final weight of fish fed diet N03 was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than fish fed the other dietary treatments. The growth performance of fish fed diets N01 and N02 were not significantly different compared to fish fed the control diet. Striped catfish fed diet N03 had improved feed conversion ratio (FCR), net protein utilization (NPU) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) than the control (P < 0.05). The inclusion of the high dietary level of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria, diet N03, reduced TAN compared to all groups. Dietary inclusion of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria at all levels investigated did not affect the whole body proximate composition of the striped catfish (P > 0.05). The packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin level in fish fed diet N03 was significantly higher than in the fish fed the control diet. The present study demonstrates that dietary inclusion of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria induced positive effects on growth performance and haematological parameters and decreased TAN excretion in striped catfish.     

The use of stable isotope ratios δ13C and δ15N to track the incorporation of Ulva and other important dietary ingredients into the gonads of the sea urchin Tripneustes gratilla

In this study, we demonstrate how stable carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) isotope analysis can be used to estimate the allocation of specific dietary ingredients, incorporated into four artificially formulated feeds supplemented with varying amounts of dried seaweed Ulva armoricana (0, 50, 150 and 200 g/kg), to the production of gonads by Tripneustes gratilla over a 20‐week growth trial. Results indicate that U. armoricana is an important dietary ingredient for gonad production, accounting for an average of 37.33 ± 1.03% of the isotopic signal recorded for gonads at the end of the growth trial. This is significantly more than fish meal and soya, which only contributed an average of 11.40 ± 1.81 and 3.80 ± 0.09%, respectively, of the isotopic signal of the gonads. Maize and wheat each account for almost 25% of all the dietary ingredients used to formulate the feeds, but their relative contribution to gonad production only averaged 8.55 ± 0.58 and 3.80 ± 0.05%, respectively, among the diets. This indicates that, at least for gonad development, these ingredients may not be required at such high levels. These findings support previous data on the importance of Ulva in abalone and urchin diets, and demonstrate the value of stable isotope analysis for assessing the contribution of specific dietary ingredients in new feed formulations, particularly where growth of specific tissues is being investigated.     

Differential inhibition of digestive proteases by tannin in two size groups of rohu (Labeo rohita,Hamilton): A biochemical and zymography study

This study was intended to evaluate tannin mediated inhibition of digestive proteases in two different size groups (fingerlings, F, 4.5 ± 0.7 cm; advanced fingerlings, AF, 18.2 ± 1.6 cm) of rohu, Labeo rohita. Graded levels (50, 100, 150 and 200 nM) of tannin (Gallotannin, 99% purity) were added to the enzyme extracts (30°C, 1 hr) prior to determination of enzyme activities. Changes in the activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin and total protease in relation to the control sets were determined through biochemical assay of enzymes and SDS‐PAGE zymography. The study revealed that tannin significantly inhibited trypsin, chymotrypsin and total protease activities in a dose dependent manner as evident from the regression equations. The degree of the inhibition appeared to be significantly higher for the F in contrast to the AF (F_5,66 = 282.311; p < 0.0001). Trypsin activities were reduced by 8.04 ± 0.19% to 52.68 ± 0.72% and 5.61 ± 0.22% to 39.46 ± 0.19% in F and AF, respectively. The reduction in Chymotrypsin activities ranged between 16.11 ± 0.03% to 38.02 ± 0.27% in F and 6.31 ± 0.07% to 22.80 ± 0.32% in AF. Total protease activities were reduced by 10.9 ± 0.07% to 49.60 ± 0.32% in L. rohitaF, whereas, it ranged between 5.19 ± 0.06% to 32.60 ± 0.13% in AF. On a comparative scale, the difference in tannin induced inhibition in F and AF were more prominent for trypsin and chymotrypsin than total protease. Further, nine protease activity bands (15.9–69 kD) with different electromobility were noticed in both the size groups. Subsequent densitometry analysis revealed that the average densities of the protease activity bands were gradually decreased with increasing level of tannin exposure (50–200 nM). The study might indicate adaptive tolerance to tannin in larger size groups and emphasizes the need for removal of tannin in the plant feedstuffs, especially for feeding the fingerlings of L. rohita.     

Investigation on protective effect of recombinant protein (OmpTS) of Aeromonas hydrophila in Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

The outer membrane protein of Aeromonas hydrophila is a potential candidate for vaccine development. In this study, after cloning and expression of ompTS, 270 common carp, weighing 44 ± 5.7 g divided into five groups, were injected intraperitoneally twice with 3‐week intervals. Groups included the following: PBS, PBS plus Freund's adjuvant, recombinant protein, recombinant protein plus Freund's adjuvant and 20 fish as negative control. Two weeks after the second injection, 30 fish of each group were challenged with a dose of 2 × LD₅₀ of Aeromonas hydrophila and RPS was measured. The antibody level was measured using ELISA test. The protection of recombinant protein in the immunized fish with and without adjuvant, respectively, was about 82.61% and 78.26% (the protection of recombinant protein electroeluted from an SDS–PAGE with and without adjuvant, respectively, was about 78.62% and 69.57%). The average of antibody level in recombinant protein with and without adjuvant was significantly higher than the PBS group (p < .05). The ability of recombinant ompTS to increase the antibody level and to protect the fish from challenge by A. hydrophila demonstrated that recombinant ompTS protein injection can be used to immunize common carp against A. hydrophila infection.     

Effects of dietary zinc oxide and selenium nanoparticles on growth performance,immune responses and enzyme activity in rohu,Labeo rohita (Hamilton)

A 120‐day feeding trial was conducted to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of zinc oxide (ZnO) and selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs) on growth, immunological and enzymatic profiles in rohu, Labeo rohita. Fishes were fed with basal diet incorporated with laboratory‐synthesized nanoparticles, viz., zinc oxide nanoparticles—10 mg/kg and Se nanoparticles—0.3 mg/kg throughout the experimental period. At an interval of every 30 days, treated and control fishes were randomly collected and subjected to estimation of growth, non‐specific immune parameters and serum enzyme assays. It was observed that there was significant (p < 0.05) increase in growth and non‐specific immune parameters like respiratory burst, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activities as compared to the control group (only basal diet). Serum enzymatic profiles such as lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities down‐regulated (p < 0.05) in treated group compared to control group, and superoxide dismutase and acetylcholine esterase activity up‐regulated in treated group. The relative percentage survival (RPS) found to be significantly higher in treated groups (60.00 ± 8.82%) as compared to control group (45.00 ± 6.17%) while challenged with virulent bacterial strain Aeromonas hydrophila. These results indicated that dietary supplementation of zinc oxide (ZnO) and selenium (Se) nanoparticles stimulates immunity and enhances resistance to bacterial infection in L. rohita.     

Development and validation of glycoprotein‐based native‐subunit vaccine for fish against Aeromonas hydrophila

Aeromonas hydrophila is known to be causative agent of an infection named as Bacterial haemorrhagic septicaemia or red pest in freshwater fish. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the glycoprotein‐based fish vaccine against Aeromonas hydrophila. For this aim, after identification and characterization of A. hydrophila isolates from fish farms, one A. hydrophila isolate was selected as vaccine strain. Antigenic glycoproteins of this vaccine strain were determined by Western blotting and glycan detection kit. The connection types of these glycoproteins were examined by glycoprotein differentiation kit. Two glycoproteins, molecular weights of 19 and 38 kDa, with SNA connection type were selected for use in vaccination trials. After their purification by SNA‐specific lectin and size‐exclusion chromatography, protection studies with purified proteins were performed. For challenge trials, four experimental fish groups were designated: Group I (with montanide), Group II (with montanide and ginseng), Group III [with Al(OH)₃] and Group IV [with Al(OH)₃ and ginseng]. The survival ratings of fish were determined, and protection was calculated as 21.56%, 29.41%, 69.83% and 78.88% in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively. In conclusion, A. hydrophila glycoproteins with Al(OH)3 and ginseng could be used as a safe and effective vaccine for fish.     

Dietary pyridoxine promotes growth and cellular metabolic plasticity of Chanos chanos fingerlings exposed to endosulfan induced stress

An attempt was made to assess the effect of dietary pyridoxine supplementation on growth performance and cellular metabolic enzymes of Chanos chanos fingerlings under endosulfan induced stress. Two‐hundred and twenty‐five fish were randomly distributed into five treatments, each with three replicates and fed four isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets with graded levels of pyridoxine for 45 days. Endosulfan concentration in the water was maintained at sublethal level of 1/40th of 96 h LC₅₀ (0.52 ppb). Dietary pyridoxine supplementation significantly enhanced growth performance viz. weight gain (%), specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of fish compared to control diet fed group. The results of this experiment revealed that the activities of digestive and metabolic enzymes were significantly improved after feeding with dietary pyridoxine supplementation in C. chanos. Significantly increased muscle and brain ascorbic acid content was observed in fish fed diets containing pyridoxine. Histological studies on liver of fish fed pyridoxine‐supplemented diet showed the normal architecture of hepatocytes compared to non‐pyridoxine fed group. The results obtained in this study revealed that the inclusion of pyridoxine in diet has a protective effect against endosulfan induced stress in C. chanos fingerlings through metabolic enzyme activities and vitamin C content. This study has a potential in ameliorating the toxic effect of endosulfan induced stress using dietary supplementation of pyridoxine.     

Effects of dietary n‐3HUFA on juvenile white shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei: Growth,feed utilization,antioxidant enzymes activities and fatty acid compositions

Present study investigates the effects of n‐3 high‐unsaturated fatty acid (n‐3HUFA) levels on growth performance, antioxidant enzymes activities and fatty acid compositions of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. These represented seven iso‐nitrogenous and iso‐lipidic diets. Analysed n‐3HUFA concentrations were 0.16% (control), 0.48%, 0.74%, 1.39%, 2.39%, 2.92% and 3.44% respectively. A total of 840 juvenile L. vannamei were randomly stocked into 21 0.5 m³ tanks for 56 days. A significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed from 0.16% to 0.74% n‐3HUFA and a decrease when n‐3HUFA was above these levels in weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low‐density lipoprotein in serum showed a significant decrease, high‐density lipoprotein showed a significant increase (p < 0.05). Phenoloxidase activity in serum and sodium‐potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity in gill were significantly affected by dietary n‐3HUFA (p < 0.05), both of them showing a downward trend after upward. Malic dehydrogenase and superoxide dismutase activities in serum were also significantly affected by dietary n‐3HUFA (p < 0.05), which rose first and then decreased in general, both of them have a maximum in 2.39% group. No significant differences of the activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase were observed among all groups (p > 0.05). With dietary n‐3HUFA increase, both ∑HUFA and n‐3HUFA contents gradually increased in hepatopancreas and tail muscles (p < 0.05). Based on broken‐line regression analysis of WGR, the optimal n‐3HUFA requirement is 0.89% for juvenile L. vannamei with initial weight of 0.50 ± 0.01 g.