Selenium and vitamin E interaction in the nutrition of yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi): physiological and immune responses

Six dietary treatments were prepared in a 3 × 2 factorial design (unsupplemented or supplemented with Se at 1 or 2 mg kg^?1 × supplemented with vitamin E at 40 or 180 mg kg^?1) and fed to yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) for 6 weeks to evaluate the effects of dietary Se and vitamin E on growth performance, immune and antioxidant responses and to investigate the potential interaction between these two micronutrients in this species. The results have revealed significantly interactive effects with positive physiological responses. Se significantly increased weight gain of fish fed diets low in vitamin E, but not high in vitamin E, whereas serum lysozyme activity was significantly improved by Se in diets high in vitamin E, but not low in vitamin E. Moreover, there was evidence of myopathy in fish deficient in both Se and vitamin E, but not single deficiency. There was no significant effect of dietary Se, vitamin E or their interaction on survival, antibody titre, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and fillet proximate composition; however, fillet Se and vitamin E were significantly responsive to dietary Se and vitamin E, respectively, and higher dietary Se intakes produced significantly higher red blood cell glutathione peroxidase activity.     

Growth and survival of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., fed different dietary levels of astaxanthin. First-feeding fry

Atlantic salmon fry hatched from pigment-free eggs and from eggs containing the pigment astaxanthin were fed eleven casein/gelatine-based purified diets with varying levels of astaxanthin, ranging from 0 to 317 mg kg^?1, to determine the optimum dietary astaxanthin level for satisfactory growth and survival during the start-feeding period. The fish were fed the experimental diets for a period of 11 weeks. No difference in performance was found between the two types of fry originating from the pigment-free eggs and those containing pigment. However, the dietary astaxanthin concentration was found to have a significant effect on both the growth and the survival of fry. Fish fed diets with astaxanthin concentrations below 5.3 mg kg^?1 were found to have marginal growth. In addition, mortality was high in the groups fed diets with astaxanthin concentrations below 1.0 mg kg^?1. The specific growth rate (SGR) was also affected by the dietary treatment. The lipid content was higher and the moisture content was lower in the fish fed the diets containing astaxanthin concentrations above 5.3 mg kg^?1. The vitamin A and astaxanthin concentrations in whole-body samples of the fry were significantly affected by the dietary level of astaxanthin. A plateau level in whole-body vitamin A concentration was observed at dietary levels of approximately 80 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 and higher, while no maximum astaxanthin concentration in whole-body samples was observed within the dietary levels used. The results suggest the need for a minimum dietary astaxanthin concentration of 5.1 mg kg^?1 to achieve maximum growth and survival during the start-feeding period. The results indicate a low bioavailability of vitamin A palmitate and acetate and the results also suggest a provitamin A function for astaxanthin during the same period.     

Effect of dietary lipids and vitamin E on growth performance,body composition,anti‐oxidative ability and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila challenge of juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis

Vitamin E supplement is important in protecting lipid oxidation and enhancing immunity of aquatic animals. A 10‐week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid and vitamin E on juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. The experimental diets included three levels of vitamin E (0, 100 and 300 mg kg^?1) and two levels of lipid (6% and 9%). The 9% lipid diet significantly enhanced the body lipid of crabs compared with the 6% lipid diet. The vitamin E concentration of hepatopancreas increased with the increase in vitamin E in the diets regardless of dietary lipid levels. The hepatopancreas fatty acids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acid and highly unsaturated fatty acid, were significantly enhanced by vitamin E supplement or 9% dietary lipid. Vitamin E supplement significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of crabs compared with those fed the diets without vitamin E supplement. The hepatopancreas malondialdehyde of crabs fed 100 mg vitamin E kg^?1 was significantly lower than those fed 0 or 300 mg vitamin E kg^?1. The phenoloxidase activity of crabs fed the 9% lipid diet was significantly higher than those fed 6% lipid, irrespective of vitamin E levels. Vitamin E supplementation increased the bacterial resistance of juvenile crab. This study indicates that dietary lipid and vitamin E supplement do not affect crab growth and survival, but vitatmin E supplement at 100 mg kg^?1 can enhance immunity and antioxidant capacity of crab fed 6% or 9% dietary lipids.     

Astaxanthin deposition in fillets of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. fed two dietary levels of astaxanthin in combination with three levels of α-tocopheryl acetate

The influence of α-tocopheryl acetate (α-TOAc) on plasma concentration and fillet deposition of dietary astaxanthin was investigated in Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. The diets were added 30 or 50 mg kg^–1 astaxanthin, and 200, 400 or 800 mg kg^–1α-TOAc at each astaxanthin level. Improved flesh deposition of astaxanthin by 8–14% was achieved for fish fed diets with 30 and 50 mg kg^–1 astaxanthin, respectively, by the dietary addition of 800 compared with 200 mg kg^–1α-TOAc. These results were supported by CIE[1976]L*a*b* tristimulus redness measurements (a* value). Plasma astaxanthin concentration mirrored the muscle astaxanthin concentration in the groups of fish fed a diet containing 30 mg kg^–1 astaxanthin. The salmon fed a high astaxanthin and low α-TOAc diet had the highest plasma concentration of idoxanthin (P < 0.05). Astaxanthin retention was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in salmon fed 30 mg kg^–1 astaxanthin than in those fed 50 mg kg^–1 astaxanthin, but was not significantly affected by dietary α-TOAc. Liver weight, body weight, specific growth rate, feed/gain ratio and mortalities were not affected by dietary α-TOAc levels. In conclusion, the dietary addition of α-TOAc appears to increase astaxanthin fillet deposition in salmonids and may reduce the demand for astaxanthin supplementation. The effect was rather small and requires verification.     

Effect of dietary lipid oxidation with vitamin C and E supplementation on fillet quality of red sea bream,Pagrus major (Temminck & Schlegel) during storage

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of dietary vitamin C (VC) and E (VE) supplementation on fillet quality of red sea bream fed oxidized fish oil (OFO). Fish with an average body weight of 205.0 g were fed four test diets for 9 weeks. Control diet contained fresh fish oil (FFO) with 100 mg kg^?1 of VE and 500 mg kg^?1 of VC (FFO100E/500C). The other three diets contained OFO with varying levels of VE (mg kg^?1) and VC (mg kg^?1) (OFO100E/500C, OFO200E/500C and OFO200E/1000C). After feeding trial, two fillets from each fish by hand filleting were stored in a refrigerator at 4°C for 96 h during analyses. Results showed that fish fed OFO increased fillet thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and K‐value, and decreased fillet VC and VE concentrations during storage time. Supplementation of VC did not have any detectable effect on fillet quality. Increasing dietary VE supplementation increased fillet VE concentrations, reduced fillet TBARS and K‐value values of red sea bream. Therefore, we suggest that dietary supplementation of 200 mg kg^?1 of vitamin E could improve fillet oxidative stability of red sea bream fed OFO.     

Effects of variation in dietary contents of selenium and vitamin E on growth and physiological and haematological responses of yellowtail kingfish,Seriola lalandi

The effects of dietary selenium (Se) and vitamin E and their interaction in the nutrition of yellowtail kingfish, Seriola lalandi, were investigated. Six dietary treatments were prepared in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (not supplemented or supplemented with Se at 1 or 2 mg kg^?1 × supplemented with vitamin E at 40 or 180 mg kg^?1). A group of fish in triplicate were fed one of the six experimental diets for 6 weeks, and their growth performance, haematological and immune responses were measured. The results revealed positively interactive effects between dietary Se and vitamin E in yellowtail kingfish. Se significantly increased weight gain of fish fed diets low in vitamin E, but not high in vitamin E. Simultaneous supplementation of both micronutrients resulted in significant increase in serum bactericidal activity. There was no significant effect of Se or vitamin E on survival, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, haematocrit, white blood cell counts and fillet proximate composition. However, Se and vitamin E contents in fillets were significantly responsive to dietary Se and vitamin E, respectively. The supplemental level of Se at 2 mg kg^?1 significantly increased red blood cell counts and haemoglobin concentrations, while lysozyme activity in skin mucus was significantly stimulated by vitamin E. The findings of Se and vitamin E supplementation in this study can be applied to improve growth and health indices of yellowtail kingfish.     

Growth and survival of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. fed different dietary levels of astaxanthin. Juveniles

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., juveniles, with a mean initial weight of 1.75 g, were fed casein-based purified diets which had been supplemented with different levels of astaxanthin for a 10-week period. The astaxanthin content of the diets ranged from 0 to 190 mg kg^?1 dry diet. The growth and survival of the juveniles were recorded throughout the experiment. The proximate composition, astaxanthin and vitamin A content were determined from whole-body samples at the start and termination of the experiment. The dietary treatment was found to affect growth significantly (P < 0.05). A reduction in the mean weight of the juveniles was observed in the groups fed the diets without astaxanthin supplementation. There was no difference in growth rate between the fish in the groups fed the diets containing 36 or 190 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet, whereas the fish in the group fed the diet containing 5.3 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet had a lower growth rate. There was a tendency to higher survival in the groups fed the diets containing astaxanthin when compared with the groups fed the non-supplemented diets. The moisture and ash contents were significantly lower and the lipid content was higher in the groups fed the astaxanthin-supplemented diets. The astaxanthin and the vitamin A concentrations in the fish were found to be dependent upon the dietary astaxanthin dose; the highest values were found in the fish fed the diet with the highest astaxanthin content. These results strongly indicate that astaxanthin functions as a provitamin A for juvenile Atlantic salmon. The body storage of vitamin A increased in the fish fed the diets containing astaxanthin. However, the increase was low in the fish fed the diet containing 5.3 mg astaxanthin kg^?1 dry diet.     

The importance of dietary HUFA for meagre larvae (Argyrosomus regius; Asso, 1801) and its relation with antioxidant vitamins E and C

Despite the interest of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) as a fast‐growing candidate for Mediterranean aquaculture diversification, there is a lack of information on nutrition along larval development. Importance of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) and the antioxidant vitamins E and vitamin C has not been investigated yet in this species. Six diets with two levels of HUFA (0.4% and 3% dw), two of vitamin E (1500 and 3000 mg kg^?1) and two of vitamin C (1800 and 3600 mg kg^?1) were fed to 15 dah meagre larvae. Larval growth in total length and dry body weight was significantly lowest in larvae fed diet 0.4/150/180 and showed few lipid droplets in enterocytes and hepatocytes and lower HUFA contents than the initial larvae. Increase in dietary HUFA up to 3%, significantly improved larval growth and lipid absorption and deposition. Besides, among fish fed 3% HUFA, increase in vitamin E and vitamin C significantly improved body weight, as well as total lipid, 22:6n‐3 and n‐3 fatty acids contents in the larvae. Thus, the results showed that 0.4% dietary HUFA is not enough to cover the essential fatty acid requirements of larval meagre and a high HUFA requirement in weaning diets is foreseen for this species. Besides, the results also pointed out the importance of dietary vitamin E and C to protect these essential fatty acids from oxidation, increase their contents in the larvae and promote growth, suggesting high vitamin E and C requirements in meagre larvae (higher than 1500 and 1800 mg kg^?1 for vitamin E and vitamin C respectively).     

Comparison of diets for the tropical spiny lobster Panulirus ornatus: astaxanthin-supplemented feeds and mussel flesh

The fast‐growing tropical lobster Panulirus ornatus is a good aquaculture candidate generating increased research to develop potential feeds. We conducted a 12‐week experiment, assessing growth, survival and tissue carotenoid levels of juvenile P. ornatus. Lobsters were fed either pelleted feeds supplemented with astaxanthin and containing 30, 60, 90 or 120 mg total carotenoid kg^?1; or one of two fresh mussel reference feeds – blue Mytilus edulis and green‐lipped Perna canaliculus. There was no clear dose response, in terms of growth rate, to increasing dietary astaxanthin content; mussel‐fed lobsters had inferior growth rates. Twelve‐week survival was unaffected by treatment. Whole lobster carotenoid (4.7, 16.7, 27.8 and 32.8 mg kg^?1, dry matter basis) increased with increasing dietary astaxanthin; pre‐treatment carotenoid was 22.2 mg kg^?1. Apparent total carotenoid content of the mussel‐fed lobsters was unexpectedly high because of interference by other pigments. High‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis of free astaxanthin levels varied from a pre‐treatment value of 7.3 mg kg^?1 to 2.0, 7.6, 12.5 and 23.6 mg kg^?1 with increasing dietary astaxanthin, and 3.5 (green‐lip) and 5.9 (blue) mg kg^?1 for the mussel‐fed lobsters. Although dietary astaxanthin, over the investigated range, did not affect growth rate or survival, there was a dose–response increase in tissue carotenoid content and darkening of the exoskeleton pigmentation, which may have important implications for immunocompetency and marketing. These implications are discussed in the context of pelleted feed development for this species.     

Effect of high dietary intakes of vitamin E and n-3 HUFA on immune responses and resistance to Edwardsiella tarda challenge in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus, Temminck and Schlegel)

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of high dietary intake of vitamin E (supplied as dl ‐α‐tocopheryl acetate) and n‐3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (n‐3 HUFA) on the non‐specific immune response and disease resistance in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. Nine practical diets were formulated to contain one of three levels of vitamin E namely, 0, 80 or 200 mg kg^?1 (the total α‐tocopherol contents in the diets were 21, 97 and 213 mg kg^?1 based on analysis), and at each vitamin E level with one of three n‐3 HUFA levels i.e. 0.5%, 1.5% or 2.0%. Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of Japanese flounder (initial body weight: 40.5±1.0 g, mean±SD) in a re‐circulation rearing system. Fish were fed twice daily to apparent satiation at 07:00 and 18:00 hours for 12 weeks. During the experimental period, water temperature was maintained at 18±1°C, salinity 31–35 g L^?1, and pH 7.8–8.2. Dissolved oxygen was not less than 6 mg L^?1, and there were negligible levels of free ammonia and nitrite. The results showed that the increase in dietary n‐3 HUFA from 0.5% to 1.0% significantly decreased muscle α‐tocopherol contents in fish‐fed diets with 21 and 97 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). In 1.0% HUFA groups, alternative complement pathway activity (ACH₅₀) of fish fed the diet containing the 213 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 diet was significantly higher than noted for fish fed the diet containing 97 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 diet (P<0.05). Fish fed the diet with 213 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 and 2.0% n‐3 HUFA had the highest lysozyme activity (131.7 U mL^?1) among all the dietary treatments. Fish fed the diets containing 97 and 213 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 with 1.0% n‐3 HUFA had significantly higher respiratory burst activity than those fed the diets containing 21 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 with 0.5 and 1.0% n‐3 HUFA (P<0.05). In the disease resistance experiment, high intake of dietary vitamin E with 213 mg α‐tocopherol kg^?1 significantly decreased cumulative mortality and delayed the days to first mortality after a 7‐day Edwardsiella tarda challenge (P<0.05). In addition, under the experimental conditions, dietary vitamin E and n‐3 HUFA had a synergistic effect on the non‐specific immune responses and disease resistance in Japanese flounder (P<0.05).     

Effects of dietary vitamin E level on growth and tissue lipid peroxidation of soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann)

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on growth, liver lipid peroxidation and liver and muscle vitamin E level of soft‐shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis. Eight experimental diets analysed to contain 0–457 IU vitamin E kg^?1 were fed to juvenile soft‐shelled turtle of 4.8 g initial body weight for 12 weeks. Weight gain (WG) of the turtles fed the diet containing no vitamin E was significantly lower than those fed diets containing 83–457 IU vitamin E kg^?1 (P<0.05). Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio showed similar trends to that of WG. No significant difference (P>0.05) was found in whole‐body composition among turtles fed the different diets. Dietary vitamin E requirement using WG as the response and estimated using the broken‐line regression model is approximately 88 IU kg^?1. Liver and muscle vitamin E content increased when dietary vitamin E level increased. Ascorbate‐induced lipid peroxidation in liver tissue of turtles fed diets containing 0 and 17 IU vitamin E kg^?1 was significantly (P<0.05) greater than those fed diets containing high vitamin E (≥35 IU kg^?1).     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid levels and protein–energy ratio on growth indices, feed utilization and body composition of freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man 1879) post larvae

A grow‐out experiment was designed to determine the effect of different dietary protein, lipid levels and protein–energy (P:E) ratio on growth performance and feed utilization of the freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii post larvae (PL) culture in pond net enclosures (hapa, 3.75 m^?3 each) for 12 weeks (84 days). The experimental treatments were assigned in triplicate. Six test diets were formulated to contain three different protein levels (300, 350 and 400 g kg^?1 diet) and two lipid levels (100 and 140 g kg^?1 diet) in a factorial manner (3 × 2) to provided six different dietary P:E ratio: 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1). The result showed that the highest significant (P≤0.05) survival rate, growth indices and feed utilization were observed for M. rosenbergii PL fed a diet with a P:E ratio of 17 mg CP kJ^?1 g¹, whereas, the lowest value was recorded for prawns fed a diet with a P:E ratio of 20 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1. Whole body contents of protein and lipid were highest (P≤0.05) when fed diets with 21 and 17 mg CP kJ^?1 g^?1 respectively. Concerning dietary protein levels, the highest (P≤0.05) values for survival and growth indices were observed for PL fed a diet containing 300 g kg^?1 diet protein. The same trend was observed for PL fed a diet with 100 g kg^?1 diet lipid level, irrespective of dietary protein levels. A diet containing 300 g kg^?1 protein and 100 g kg^?1 lipid with a dietary P:E ratio of 17 mg CP kJ g^?1 is recommended to stimulate growth performance and nutrients utilization efficiency of M. rosenbergii PL.     

Effect of vitamin C and astaxanthin on stress and disease resistance of postlarval tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius)

Postlarvae of tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon (Fabricius), were fed semipurified diets supplemented with various levels of astaxanthin (AX) and ascorbic acid-polyphosphate (ApP): three groups were fed 230 mg AX kg^?1 diet combined with 100, 1700 and 3400 mg ascorbic acid (AA) kg^?1 diet, respectively; two diets contained 810 mg AX kg^?1 mixed with 200 and 1700 mg AA kg^?1, respectively. Each treatment was run in four replicates. Incorporated levels of AA and AX, production output, and physiological condition were recorded after 4 weeks of feeding. Whole-body AA (21-47 μg g^?1) and AX, concentrations (19-35 μgg^?1) were linked to dietary ApP and AX supply, respectively, although not significantly for the latter. The biomass of the group receiving the lower dietary ApP-AX combination was significantly lower than for all other treatments, i.e. 3.1 versus 3.9 g, respectively. In the groups fed 230 mg AX kg^?1 diet, significant differences in stress resistance were observed according to the dietary ApP level, i.e. raising the vitamin C content in the feed from 100 to 3400 mg AA kg^?1 resulted in a concomitant drop in mortality after an osmotic shock. For the treatments receiving 810 mg AX kg^?1 diet, the beneficial effect of extra dietary vitamin C was not significant. An increase in the dietary AX for shrimp fed comparable ApP levels resulted in a significant drop of the stress index from 56 to 33 (cumulative mortality index). An increased resistance to salinity shock was demonstrated in association with supplementation of high dietary AA or AX levels. No conclusive results regarding possible improved disease resistance could be made since no mortality was observed after a disease challenge with Vibrio harveyi.     

The effect of dietary vitamin E and C level on market-size turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) fillet quality

Fish fillet quality has been shown to be influenced by the level of antioxidants in preslaughter diet. Thus, an experiment was conducted to study the effect of different levels of vitamin E and C on the fillet quality of market‐size reared turbot (Scophthalmus maximus). Turbot of a mean initial weight of 347 ± 20 g were divided into four groups and fed commercial turbot diets (60% protein, 12% fat), supplemented with α‐tocopheryl acetate (mg kg^?1) and ascorbyl‐2 monophosphate (mg kg^?1) at the following dietary levels: 500/100, 1000/100, 100/1000, 100/100 respectively. Over a dietary supplementation period of 15 weeks, fish were fed to satiation and reached a final mean weight of 916 ± 29 g. α‐Tocopherol levels increased significantly (P < 0.001) in tissue (i.e. muscle, liver, heart and kidney) of fish fed diets containing elevated levels of α‐tocopheryl acetate. In ice storage, fillets of these fish exhibited significantly lower (P < 0.001) levels of lipid oxidation, and showed significantly less (P < 0.001) colour deterioration (higher hue angle and lower chroma). Elevated dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate levels had a negative effect (P ≤ 0.001) on the concentration of ascorbic acid in muscle tissue. An increase in dietary vitamin C did not have any detectable effect on fillet quality. Prolonged feeding times had a negative effect on lipid oxidation (P < 0.001) and colour deterioration (P < 0.01). These results suggest that increased dietary α‐tocopheryl acetate could prevent colour deterioration and lipid oxidation of turbot fillets in retail storage on ice.     

Interactive effects of dietary magnesium and vitamin E on growth performance,body composition,blood parameters and antioxidant status in Japanese seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus) fed oxidized oil

A study was conducted to investigate effects and interactions of magnesium (Mg) and vitamin E (VE) on growth performance, body composition, hepatic antioxidant capacity and serum biochemistry parameters of juvenile Japanese seabass Lateolabrax japonicus under oxidative stress condition. Fish (initial average body weight of 6.10 ± 0.20 g) were fed 9 oxidized oil diets supplemented with 3 grade levels of Mg (0, 520 and 1570 mg kg^?1 diet) and VE (0, 60 and 200 mg kg^?1 diet) for 8 weeks in freshwater. The results showed that diets supplemented 520 mg kg^?1 Mg and/or 60 mg kg^?1 VE had highest growth and muscle lipid content. There were highest total superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities and lowest malondialdehyde content in liver of fish fed diets supplemented 520 mg kg^?1 Mg and/or 60 mg kg^?1 VE. Contrary to Mg concentrations, Ca concentrations and Ca/Mg ratio in whole body were inversely related to dietary Mg levels. However, combined deficiency or excess of dietary Mg and VE led to the decrease of hepatic antioxidant capacity, body lipid deposition and growth of Japanese seabass under oxidative stress condition.     

Vitamin B6 supplementation increases the docosahexaenoic acid concentration of muscle lipids of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Fish fillet quality is influenced by feed quality. In particular, vitamin B₆ availability improves growth rate and nutritional value, because it is related to protein and lipid metabolism. The present study investigates the effect of increasing amounts of vitamin B₆ on growth, fatty acid composition and lipid peroxidation of muscle tissue of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Quadruplicate groups of trout of a mean initial weight of 110 g were fed commercial diets supplemented with four different quantities of vitamin B₆ (0, 10, 25 and 50 mg kg^?1 diet). Over the experimental period, there were no significant differences in weight gain and feed intake, while vitamin B₆ concentration of muscle was affected by dietary intake, even though its increase was not proportional to the concentrations in the feed. The fatty acid composition of muscle lipid showed differences between the four groups. The percentage of long‐chain unsaturated fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid, increased significantly in vitamin B₆‐supplemented groups. However, despite the increased fatty acid unsaturation index, lipid peroxidation parameters such as vitamin E content, malondialdehyde production, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase activities did not show significant differences, meaning that the higher level of long‐chain unsaturated fatty acid did not increase the muscle susceptibility to oxidative stress.     

Astaxanthin deposition in the flesh of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar L., in relation to dietary astaxanthin concentration and feeding period

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., were fed nine experimental diets containing from 0 to 200 mg astaxanthin per kg^?1 for six time periods, ranging from 3 to 21 months, in sea cages at Matre Aquaculture Research Station, Matredal, Norway. The sampled fish had an initial mean weight of 115 g and reached a weight of 3.2 kg at the termination of the experiment. Every third month, 10 fish from each dose and time group were sampled and the astaxanthin concentration in the flesh determined. The amount of astaxanthin in the flesh ranged from 0.7 to 8.9 mg kg^?1 at the termination of the experiment. This paper discusses deposition of astaxanthin in the flesh of Atlantic salmon in relation to dietary carotenoid levels in the 0–200 mg kg^?1 range and feeding times of 3–21 months. Under the conditions of this experiment, no significant effect on astaxanthin deposition rate could be achieved by increasing the astaxanthin level above 60 mg kg dry feed^?1. Atlantic salmon should be fed astaxanthin-supplemented diets during the whole seawater stage in order to obtain maximal astaxanthin level in the flesh.     

The effect of vitamin E on growth, survival and hepatopancreas structure of the Argentine red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri Bate (Crustacea, Penaeidea)

Two trials were conducted to evaluate the growth, survival and hepatopancreas histology of the Argentine red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888) fed different levels of vitamin E and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in a semipurified diet. The diets contained 0, 100, 600 or 1500 mg vitamin E kg^?1 and 16 mg BHT kg^?1 diet (trial 1) and 0, 1250, 1500, 1750 or 2000 mg vitamin E kg^?1 diet, squid mantle and vitamin‐free diet as a control (trial 2). After 30 days (trial 1), survival ranged between 43% and 64%, and the percentage weight gain of the shrimp varied from 22% to 31% with no significant differences among treatments (P<0.05). After 40 days (trial 2), survival of shrimp fed the diet with no vitamin E and squid mantle was significantly lower (62%) than the other treatment (86–90%). Shrimp fed diets containing vitamin E from 1250 to 1750 mg kg^?1 exhibited increased weight gain (34–65%); however, a significant difference was observed for shrimp fed the diet containing 2000 mg kg^?1. Histological results yielded differences among treatments. In shrimp fed 1750 mg kg^?1 of vitamin E, the functional morphology of the organ was normal, with abundant secretion in the tubules. Signs of malnourishment such as cellular and nuclear retraction, desquamation of cells and hipertrofia, were evident in the hepatopancreas of shrimp fed the other diets. The results indicate that optimal vitamin E requirement for P. muelleri under the present experimental conditions appears to be approximately 1750 mg vitamin E kg^?1 diet.     

Natural bixin as a potential carotenoid for enhancing pigmentation and colour in goldfish (Carassius auratus)

Discovering natural carotenoids for colour enhancement and health benefits of fish is important to develop new feed formulations. We have purified natural bixin from achiote seeds and evaluated the effect of colour enhancing and pigmentation in goldfish. Varying levels of bixin‐based diets were prepared with 420 g kg^?1 of crude protein and 120 g kg^?1 of lipid content. Our results clearly showed that bixin (0.05, 0.10, 0.20 and 0.60 g kg^?1) based diets significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the skin and fin colour at 30 and 60 days compared to diet without bixin. Interestingly, diet which contains 0.20 g kg^?1 bixin and commercial feed (with astaxanthin) had similar effect on carotenoid deposition in skin. Moreover, total carotenoid deposition in fin was higher than in skin of all bixin‐containing diets. However, 0.60 g kg^?1 bixin‐containing diet had lower specific growth rate (1.01 ± 0.01) and higher feed conversion ratio (2.05 ± 0.19) compared to the control group. The present results demonstrate that achiote bixin can be successfully used as an alternative natural carotenoid source against synthetic astaxanthin in fish feed. Our data indicate that 0.20 g kg^?1 is a suitable dietary level of bixin to ensure strong pigmentation, acceptable growth and feed utilization in goldfish.     

Dietary vitamin E could improve growth performance,lipid peroxidation and non‐specific immune responses for juvenile cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

An 8‐week feeding trial was conducted to establish the dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia. The basal diet was supplemented with 10, 20, 30, 40, 60, 120 mg vitamin E kg^?1 as all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate. The results indicated that fish fed the diets supplemented vitamin E had significantly higher specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, feed efficiency and survival rate than those fed the basal diet. It was further observed that vitamin E concentrations in liver increased significantly when the dietary vitamin E level increased from 13.2 to 124 mg kg^?1. Fish fed the basal diet had significantly higher thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances concentrations in liver than those fed the diets supplemented vitamin E. Fish fed the diets supplemented with 45.7 and 61.2 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had significantly higher red blood cell and haemoglobin than those fed the basal diet, while fish fed the diets supplemented with 61.2 and 124 mg kg^?1 vitamin E had higher immunoglobulin concentration than those fish fed the basal diet. Lysozyme and superoxide dismutase were significantly influenced by the dietary vitamin E level. The dietary vitamin E requirement of juvenile cobia was established based on second‐order polynomial regression of weight gain and lysozyme to be 78 or 111 mg all‐rac‐α‐tocopheryl acetate kg^?1 diet, respectively.