Effect of feeding frequency on growth,feed efficiency and nutrient utilization of juvenile flounder (Platichthys flesus luscus)

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of optimal feeding frequency on growth performance, feed efficiency, nutrient utilization and body composition in juvenile flounder. Four feeding frequencies of one (F1), two (F2), three (F3) and four (F4) times a day were evaluated as treatments in triplicate for a period of 60 days. Forty-seven hatchery produced juveniles (2.5 ± 0.7 g) were stocked into 160-L rectangular fiberglass tanks and fed with a commercial diet containing 54 % protein to satiation. At the end of the experiment, the final weight of F1, F2, F3 and F4 were 5.06 ± 0.29, 5.91 ± 0.42, 6.24 ± 0.42 and 6.16 ± 0.46 g, respectively. Growth rates and feed consumption were highest in F3 and lowest in F1. Feed conversion ratios ranged between 0.83 ± 0.04 and 0.90 ± 0.03. There were no significant differences in either moisture or ash content of the fish groups. Protein content decreased with increasing feeding frequency, while lipid content partly increased with increasing feeding frequency. Nitrogen intake and lipid intake were significantly higher in fish fed under F3 and F4 treatment, whereas the nitrogen gain decreased and lipid gain increased with increasing feeding frequency. It is concluded that the flounder juveniles can achieve maximum growth performance and better nutrient utilization when they are fed a given ration two times a day. The findings have practical significance toward establishing an appropriate flounder nursery rearing and will directly benefit the nursery operations.     

Effect of synthetic nano-hydroxyapatite as an alternative phosphorus source on growth and phosphorus nutrition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plant

Phosphorus (P) is one of the least available mineral nutrients to the plants in calcareous and alkaline soils. In this study, we investigated the synthesis, characterization and use of synthetic nano-hydroxyapatite (NHA), P uptake by plants as well as its residual effects. Soluble P source (H₃PO₄) was also included as treatment for comparison. NHA prepared by wet chemical techniques, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and elemental dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. NHA and H₃PO₄ were applied at a rate of 200 mg kg^?1 to find out their effects on phosphorus nutrition and growth of lettuce on the low and high calcareous soil. In addition to this, residual effects of NHA and H₃PO₄ were also determined for lettuce plants grown after first lettuce plants in the both soil. Dry weights of the first and second lettuce plants grown in low and high calcareous soil were significantly increased by applied phosphorus regardless of the source. NHA seems to be more effective than that of ordinary phosphorus source (H₃PO₄-P) on growth and P concentration of the lettuce plants. The promising results of this study needs to be supported with long term field studies regarding the uptake, translocation and interactions of nano-P with the other elements.     

The effects of dietary protein levels with amino acid supplementation on the growth performance,haematological profile and histology of meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in two different size classes

A 12‐week feeding trial was conducted to estimate the effects of supplemented amino acids (lysine and methionine) with different dietary protein levels on growth, haematology and liver histology in meagre (Argyrosomus regius) at two different sizes: fingerling (15.2 g) and juvenile (44.4 g). Six practical diets were prepared, and three of these practical diets were formulated with 40 (P40), 44 (P44) and 48% (P48) crude protein without supplementation of amino acids. Other three diets having same protein levels were supplemented with lysine and methionine (P40AA, P44AA and P48AA) to bring these amino acids level up to that estimated to be at the least in the 48% protein diet. Final mean weight (FMW) and specific growth rate (SGR) of P48AA in fingerlings were higher than that of 40AA. According to FMW and SGR of juveniles, there was interaction found between dietary protein levels and the supplementation of amino acids. The FMW and SGR of meagre fed P44AA were higher than that of fish fed the other diets, except fish fed the P48. Economic profit index, packed cell volume and haemoglobin for juvenile meagre were significantly improved with the dietary protein level and amino acid supplementation. The liver tissues of the P48 group in both sizes displayed better structure compared with the other groups. In conclusion, dietary crude protein content of practical diets for juvenile meagre could be reduced from 48% to 44% by adding essential amino acids with an enhancement in growth, health and economic profit.     

Effect of catechins on fattening performance,meat quality,some antioxidant and blood parameters and fattening costs in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of green tea (Camellia sinensis) catechins in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

2. Quail were fed with a basal diet, and the treatment groups were fed on the basal diet with 1.25 or 2.50 g/kg catechin supplementation for 30 d.

3. Fattening performance and meat quality of the quail were estimated. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) and some serum biochemical parameters were measured.

4. The results showed that catechin supplementation did not affect live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass weight, carcass dressing or the nutrient composition of breast and thigh meats. The water holding capacity (WHC) of breast meat was increased in the 2.50 g/kg catechin treatment. Catechin supplementation increased the serum TAS, but decreased plasma MDA and liver MDA concentration as well as serum glucose and total cholesterol levels. Serum triglyceride and total protein levels were not affected by catechin supplementation.

5. In conclusion, catechins have effective antioxidant hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic properties, as well as having the potential to increase meat quality in fattening quail. On the other hand, catechin supplementation did not have any negative effect on the fattening performance, meat nutrient composition and fattening costs in fattening quail.

     

Development of flexible antimicrobial packaging materials against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid into zein-based films

In this study, antimicrobial films were developed against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid (GA) into zein-based films. The zein and zein-wax composite films containing GA between 2.5 and 10 mg/cm(2) were effective on different C. jejuni strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Zein and zein-wax composite films showed different release profiles in distilled water but quite similar release profiles at solid agar medium. Depending on incorporated GA concentration, 60-80% of GA released from the films, while the remaining GA was bound or trapped by film matrix. The GA at 2.5 and 5 mg/cm(2) caused a considerable increase in elongation (57-280%) of all zein films and eliminated their classical flexibility problems. The zein-wax composite films were less flexible than zein films, but the films showed similar tensile strengths and Young's modulus. Scanning electron microscopy indicated different morphologies of zein and zein-wax composite films. This study clearly showed the good potential of zein and GA to develop flexible antimicrobial films against C. jejuni.     

Promoting community-based bird monitoring in the tropics: Conservation,research, environmental education,capacity-building,and local incomes

Long-term, locally-based biodiversity monitoring programs are essential for understanding and mitigating the effects of global change on tropical biodiversity while providing capacity-building, environmental education, and public outreach. However, these programs are lacking in most tropical countries. Birds are the best-known major group of organism, comprise excellent environmental indicators, are relatively easy to monitor, and are met with enthusiasm and interest by people worldwide. Bird monitoring programs using mist nets and bird banding (ringing) are especially valuable, as these well-established techniques enable the use of capture-mark-recapture (CMR) models to measure population change and other demographic parameters. Equally important for conservation, the ability to capture and release birds makes it possible to provide hands-on ornithological training and educational activities to students, conservationists, villagers, decision-makers, journalists, and other local people. Bird banding programs provide local jobs for research assistants, who often go on to productive careers in conservation, education, research, or ecotourism. Long-term bird banding stations also provide the nuclei, infrastructure, and staff for monitoring, education, and conservation programs focused on other taxa. As successful examples from Costa Rica and Ethiopia show, bird monitoring programs that integrate conservation, ecological research, environmental education, capacity-building, and income generation are cost-effective tools to achieve the goals of community-based biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction in the developing world. Therefore, locally-based and long-term bird monitoring programs should be encouraged, established, and funded throughout the tropics.     

Efficacy and persistence of native entomopathogenic nematodes against Capnodis tenebrionis in peach (Prunus persica) orchard in Turkey

Phytoparasitica - Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) have an important potential in the biological control of agricultural soil pests. Efficacy and persistence of native EPN species from Turkey were...     

Intravenous pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin following simultaneous administration with flunixin meglumine or diclofenac in sheep

In this study, the pharmacokinetics of moxifloxacin (5 mg/kg) was determined following a single intravenous administration of moxifloxacin alone and co-administration with diclofenac (2.5 mg/kg) or flunixin meglumine (2.2 mg/kg) in sheep. Six healthy Akkaraman sheep (2 ± 0.3 years and 53.5 ± 5 kg of body weight) were used. A longitudinal design with a 15-day washout period was used in three periods. In the first period, moxifloxacin was administered by an intravenous (IV) injection. In the second and third periods, moxifloxacin was co-administered with IV administration of diclofenac and flunixin meglumine, respectively. The plasma concentration of moxifloxacin was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using a two-compartment open pharmacokinetic model. Following IV administration of moxifloxacin alone, the mean elimination half-life (t_1/2β), total body clearance (Cl_T), volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss) and area under the curve (AUC) of moxifloxacin were 2.27 hr, 0.56 L h⁻¹ kg⁻¹, 1.66 L/kg and 8.91 hr*µg/ml, respectively. While diclofenac and flunixin meglumine significantly increased the t_1/2β and AUC of moxifloxacin, they significantly reduced the Cl_T and V_dss. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs could increase the therapeutic efficacy of moxifloxacin by altering its pharmacokinetics.     

Phenolic Compounds,Antioxidant Activity,Fatty Acids and Volatile Profiles of 18 Different Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Cultivars and Genotypes

The study was carried out to determine phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, total lipids, saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of 18 different walnut (Juglans regia L.) cultivars and genotypes grown in Usak province, Turkey. The biochemical compounds were identified for each cultivar and genotype and a comparative evaluation was carried out. The results showed that most of the biochemical compounds are significantly varying among each other (p?<?0.05). The existence and abundance of the biochemical compounds in the cultivars and genotypes have not only found to be a cause of differentiation, but they have been important parameters for the similarities among the cultivars and genotypes. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity ranged from 750.67 to 1245.64?mg GAE ml^?1 and from 42.46 to 56.50% in kernels, respectively. The highest contents of the phenolic compounds were noted from gallic acid (11991?mg kg^?1), ellagic acid (1057.16?mg kg^?1), catechin (425.4?mg kg^?1), and rutin (216.6?mg kg^?1), as an average of all cultivars and genotypes. The highest lipid contents were noted from ‘Franquette’ and ‘Fernette’ as 64.28% and 63.26%, respectively, while the lowest content was noted from ‘Oguzlar 77’ (52.52%). A total of 42 VOCs were described from the 18 different walnut cultivars and genotypes. Overall, results showed that the phenolic profiles, fatty acids composition, and VOCs play an important role in similarities and diversities among the cultivars. According to the results, 7 different clusters were developed from the 18 cultivars and genotypes. Herein, ‘Fernor’, ‘Maras 18’, ‘Arslan Local Type’ and ‘Cisco’ cultivars were found to have the lowest biochemical compositions. The superior cultivars or genotypes, in terms of the abundance of the biochemical composition, were found to be ‘Gulizar Hanim Type’, ‘Lara’, ‘Pedro’, ‘Tulane’, ‘Fernette’, ‘Balkan’ and ‘Franquetta’, where they were found to develop 3 clusters by 1:3:3, respectively.