Protein Requirements of the Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii Evaluated by the Factorial Method

The dietary protein requirement of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii to obtain the maximum body protein retention was assessed by the estimated protein needed daily for maintenance (M) and body protein increment (G). The body protein increment was estimated by quantifying body nitrogen increments when the prawn was fed high‐protein diets composed primarily of casein. The protein required for maintenance was estimated by regressing weight gains in feeding experiments using graded dietary levels of casein. The true daily retention (R) or increase in body protein of the prawn corresponds to the sum of M and G. The values of M, G, and R determined in the present study were 3.86, 0.24, and 4.10 g/kg body weight/d, respectively. On the basis of the daily body protein increment and the net protein utilization of casein (58%), dietary protein requirement of the juvenile M. rosenbergii for maximum body protein retention was suggested to be about 7.1 g/kg body weight/d.     

Quality aspect of fish sauce prepared from underutilized fatty Japanese anchovy and rabbit fish

ABSTRACT:   To explore the potential utility of underutilized fish in the fish sauce industry, fish sauces were prepared from both raw and heat-induced meat of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonica and rabbit fish Siganus fuscescens using wheat malt, and their quality aspects and sensory properties were assessed. Proximate composition of the fish meat represents protein as the major component (16.0–17.8%), other than moisture. Analyses of free amino acids, peptides including oligopeptides, and organic acids contents in fish sauces revealed suitability of both raw and heat-induced meat of the selected species in commercial fish sauce production. The variations in taste of raw meat fish sauces were species-specific, but the taste of fish sauces from heat-induced meat were similar.     

Biosynthesis of a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan in Eucommia ulmoides: formation of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether from sinapyl alcohol

To investigate the biosynthesis and stereochemistry of syringylglycerol-8-O-4′-(sinapyl alcohol) ether (SGSE), a syringyl 8-O-4′ neolignan, feeding experiments and enzyme assays using Eucommia ulmoides were carried out. Diastereoselective formation of erythro-SGSE was found. When [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl alcohol was administered to excised shoots of E. ulmoides, ¹⁴C was incorporated into free SGSE and SGSE glucosides. In stems, incorporation into (+)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.037%) with 9.1% enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) was found; incorporation into the threo isomer was not detectable. Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (0.047%) dominated over threo forms (0.007%) with 74.0% diastereomeric excess (% d.e.); both diastereomers were levorotatory with 32.0% e.e. and 18.3% e.e., respectively. In leaves, higher incorporation into (−)-erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE (0.500%, 15.9% e.e.) than into the threo isomer (0.206%, 7.4% e.e.) was observed (41.6% d.e.). (−)-Erythro-[¹⁴C]SGSE glucosides (1.692%, 25.0% e.e.) were produced at higher rates than threo isomers (0.177%, 16.4% e.e.) with 81.0% d.e. In incubations of a mixture of [8-¹⁴C]sinapyl and [8-¹⁴C]coniferyl alcohols with an insoluble enzyme preparation from stems of E. ulmoides, erythro-SGSE was preferentially produced. The highest % d.e. (82.8) was observed at 60 min with the (+)-erythro isomer (21.4% e.e.) and the (−)-threo form (4.3% e.e.).Part of this report was presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Gifu, April 2002, and the 47th Lignin Symposium, Fukuoka, October 2002     

Characterization of the morphological and physiological traits of rice cultivars with adaptation to unflooded condition during early vegetative growth

This study aimed to characterize the physiological and morphological traits that are associated with adaptation to unflooded soil conditions in rice. Four indica rice cultivars (Puluik Arang, Badari Dhan, Shwe Nang Gyi, and Ratul), which were previously identified as highly or less adaptable to unflooded soil conditions, were grown under flooded and unflooded (soil water potential; －0.10 MPa) soil conditions. Water uptake was measured every day for three weeks, and then the leaf water potential, the stomatal conductance, the dry matter weight, shoot and root morphological traits were measured. Puluik Arang and Badari Dhan exhibited greater leaf area expansion and higher maintenance of root development under the unflooded condition than that by other cultivars. The leaf water potential and stomatal conductance of fully expanded highest leaf in Puluik Arang and Badari Dhan were not affected by unflooded soil regime. Leaf area and root morphological traits were significantly correlated with water uptake regardless of soil moisture regimes. These results suggested that Puluik Arang and Badari Dhan exhibited great water uptake capacity through physiological and morphological adaptation of shoot and root traits to unflooded condition, resulting in great biomass productivity under the condition.     

Phylogenetic Analysis of Field Isolates of Feline Calcivirus (FCV) in Japan by Sequencing Part of Its Capsid Gene

The molecular epidemiology of the infectious disease caused by feline calcivirus (FCV) in Japan was investigated by analysing the phylogenetic relationship among 21 Japanese field isolates, including the F4 strain, and 30 global isolates. Parts of the capsid gene (B–F) of the isolates were amplified by RT-PCR, and the amino acid sequences were compared with those from the global isolates. Thirty-seven and 14 out of a total of 51 isolates were clustered into two distinct genogroups, I and II respectively, by UPGMA and NJ analysis. Seven of the 21 Japanese isolates (33%) fell into group I together with 30 global isolates, while the other 14 Japanese isolates (67%) belonged to group II. The bootstrap repetition analysis of groups I and II formed by the NJ method gave a value of 99.0%. The 14 latter Japanese isolates were clearly separated from the isolates in group I, and they were different from any previously known FCV, forming a new genogroup, which implies that this lineage has been confined to Japan. Comparing the amino acid sequences shared by groups I and II, the amino acid at position 377 in B region was asparagine (Asn or Asp (NH₂)) in group I, while it was lysine (Lys) in all the strains in group II. Similarly, the amino acid at position 539 in the F region was alanine (Ala) or proline (Pro) in group I, while it was valine (Val) in group II; glycine (Gly) at position 557 in group I was serine (Ser) in Group II; and phenylalanine (Phe) or leucine (Leu) at position 566 in genogroup I was tyrosine (Tyr) in group II.