The Impact of Diets Supplemented with Different Forms of Rosemary and BHA on Chemical,Microbial and Sensory Properties of Rainbow Trout Fillet

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different forms and doses of rosemary on chemical, microbial, and sensory properties of rainbow trout fed nine different diets: control (C), 20 g.kg^?1 rosemary powder (20RP), 40 g.kg^?1 rosemary powder (40RP), 0.3 g.kg^?1 rosemary extract (0.3RE), 0.6 g.kg^?1 rosemary extract (0.6RE), 0.15 g.kg^?1 rosemary nanopowder (0.15RNP), 0.3 g.kg^?1 rosemary nanopowder (0.3RNP), 0.15 g.kg^?1 butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (0.15BHA), and 0.3 g.kg^?1 BHA (0.3BHA). After 8 weeks’ feeding, the fish fillets were sampled on the 1st, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 16th days and then stored on 4°C. Lower value of pH, peroxide value (PV), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), free fatty acids (FFA), and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) were reported in fish fed with RP, RE, RNP, and BHA; among them, RNP groups had the lowest properties (p < 0.05). Furthermore, lower total viable aerobic bacterial counts (TVC) and psychotropic counts (PTC) were observed in the fillets of the fish fed with rosemary treatments, especially in RNP treatments (7.52–9.41 log₁₀ CFU.g^?1), along with a slower spoilage in terms of sensory factors (texture, color, odor, and overall) on the 16th day. Finally, use of natural antioxidant nanorosemary in the diet may positively affect fish fillet quality and delay post-mortem deterioration.     

Interactive effects of dietary Nano selenium and vitamin E on growth,haematology, innate immune responses,antioxidant status and muscle composition of rainbow trout under high rearing density

A 60‐day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate effects and interactions of dietary Nano selenium (Nano Se) and vitamin E on performance of rainbow trout under high rearing density (80 kg/m³). Fish (42.6 ± 2.3 g) were stocked into 12 tanks: Control group fed basal diet and three treatment groups fed basal diet supplemented with 1 mg/kg Nano selenium (Nano Se group), 500 mg/kg vitamin E (Vit E group) and both micronutrients (Combination group). Results showed that growth, feed intake, lysozyme activity and agglutination antibody titre were significantly higher in Vit E and Combination groups. The lowest haematocrit, haemoglobin and cortisol levels and highest serum total protein and muscle crude protein were observed in Combination group. Serum globulin content was higher and albumin: globulin ratio was lower in treatment groups compared with Control. Also, the highest muscle catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities and lowest malondialdehyde content were observed in Combination group compared with Control. In conclusion, combined supplementation of Nano Se and vitamin E provides a synergistic interaction in preventing the immunosuppressive action of oxidative stress caused by high density and significantly improved antioxidant and immune systems, health status and growth of fish under intensive culture.     

Qualitative response of roselle to planting methods,humic acid application,mycorrhizal inoculation and irrigation management

Crop management is an important factor affecting the quality of medicinal plants. Therefore, objectives of our investigation on roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were: 1) To identify an appropriate planting method in semi-arid regions and 2) to study crop production under water-deficit conditions using eco-friendly techniques. We specifically investigated the effects of planting methods (direct sowing vs. transplanting) (experiment 1, in a randomized complete-block design), as well as effects of water regimes [irrigation after pan evaporation of 100 mm (normal irrigation) and 200 mm (deficit irrigation)], humic acid application (0 and 4 kg ha ^?1) and mycorrhizal inoculation (Glomus versiforme, Glomus intraradices, and control) (experiment 2, in a split-split-plot layout) on certain qualitative indices of roselle. The amounts of total soluble solids (TSS), anthocyanin content, and maturity index for direct seeding were, respectively, 17%, 15%, and 33% higher than those for transplanting, whereas vitamin C content and total acidity for transplanting treatment were, respectively, 17% and 20% more than those for direct sowing. According to data obtained from the average of the three mycorrhizal treatments, normal irrigation combined with humic acid application increased total acidity (0.88 mg.100 g^?1), anthocyanins (67.1 mg.l^?1), and vitamin C content (2177 mg.100 g^?1) over the control (deficit irrigation and no humic acid application, which had lower acidity (0.53 mg.100 g^?1), anthocyanins (38.8 mg.l^?1), and vitamin C content (1882 mg.100 g^?1). Total phenol and anthocyanins content under mycorrhizal inoculation were relatively higher than under control treatment at both levels of irrigation. G. intraradices produced the largest amount of vitamin C (2353 mg.100 g^?1) under deficit irrigation. On average, no-inoculation treatment had higher TSS, pH, and total acidity than any mycorrhizal inoculation treatment. Humic acid application and mycorrhizal inoculation, especially using G. intraradices, showed the highest values of anthocyanins (56.9 mg.l^?1) and vitamin C (2309 mg.100 g^?1) content. Overall, normal irrigation, combined with humic acid application and mycorrhizal inoculation, partially improved the quality indices of roselle.     

Effect of lipid levels on the reproductive performance of Snakehead murrel,Channa striatus

Present study aimed to determine the optimum dietary lipid level in snakehead murrel channa striatus broodstocks. Triplicate groups of fish were fed for 240 days with isonitrogenous experimental diets with increasing lipid levels (100, 140, and 180 g kg^?1), using fish oil and soybean oil as the lipid sources with the ratio of (1:1). Weight gain, GSI, fecundity, oocyte diameter and number of mature oocyte were found to be significantly higher in the group fed with diet containing 180 g kg^?1 lipid level. Muscle fatty acid profile showed a significant increase in LA (18:2n‐6), LNA (18:3n3), total PUFA, n‐6 and ArA (20:4n‐6) in fish fed with diet containing 180 g kg^?1 lipid. Increasing lipid level up to 180 g kg^?1 resulted in significant increase in PUFA (LA & LNA), lc‐PUFA (EPA, DHA, ArA), total PUFA, n‐3 and n‐6 series in ovary and liver of female C. striatus.     

Androgenic potential of different tomato genotypes induced by colchicine and cold pretreatments

The androgenic potential of four tomato lines (Micro-Tina, Micro-Gemma, Moneymaker and MsK8 as parents) and their hybrids were studied through colchicine (250 mg/l) and cold (4°C for 72 h) pretreatments of isolated anthers. The pretreated anthers were cultured on induction medium. Statistical analysis showed that there was significant differences between genotypes for the studied traits. The lines MsK8 and Micro-Gemma had a considerably higher frequency of callus formation (CF) and shoot regeneration (SR) as well as greater callus diameters (CD) than that of other parents. The highest frequency of CF and SR belonged to hybrid MsK8 × Micro-Tina, and the longest CD possessed by Micro-Tina × Micro-Gemma. The mean values for hybrid’s CF, CD, and SR were significantly higher than those of the parents. In total, heterosis (hybrid vigor) was observed for the studied traits and heterozygous genotypes had a higher frequency of androgenic potential compared with homozygous parents.     

Influence of some chemical compounds on germination and early seedling growth of two range species under allelopathic conditions

Seed priming technique has been known to improve germination and seedling emergence under different environment stresses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed priming in improving the seed germination and seedling vigor of Agropyron elongatum and Bromus inermis in response to five concentrations of the allelopathic extract of Thymus kotschyanus (0, 5%, 25%, 50% and 75%) under laboratory conditions. Pretreatments included gibberellic acid (250, 500 and 1000 ppm), potassium nitrate (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) and salicylic acid (100, 200 and 300 mg/L). This experiment was carried out as a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design with four replications. The results showed that seed germination, germination speed and seedling vigor were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) by increasing extract concentrations of Thymus kotschyanus allelopathic compounds in unprimed seed (control) compared with primed seeds. Seed priming enhanced germination percentage, germination speed and initial growth. Overall, the results of this study showed that the response of both species to pretreatment of seeds was positive. Therefore, pretreatments of seeds with the aforementioned chemical stimulators before planting can significantly reduce the negative effect of allelopathic compounds in Thymus kotschyanus during the germination stage and contribute to plant establishment by increasing germination speed and growth of embryos.     

Nano-SiO2 filled rice husk/polypropylene composites: Physico-mechanical properties

In this research, reinforcing effect of hybrid filler including rice husk (RH), beech bark (BB) and nano-SiO₂, in polypropylene has been investigated. In the sample preparation, four levels of filler loading were used for waste lignocellulosic materials (55-58 wt.%) and nano-SiO₂ (0-4 wt.%). In order to increase the interphase adhesion, polypropylene grafted with maleic anhydride was added as a coupling agent to all the composites studied. The physical properties, viz. the thickness swelling and water absorption, and mechanical properties, namely, the tensile, flexural and notched Izod impact strengths, of the composites were determined. Generally, high amount of filler content in composites can lead to the reduction of interfacial adhesion between matrix polymer and filler, and it limits their applications. The results showed that while flexural properties and elongation at break were moderately improved by the increase in the amount of filler in the matrix, tensile and Izod impact strengths decreased dramatically. However, the composites had acceptable mechanical strength levels. The mechanical properties of composites filled with RH are generally greater than BB composites. The thickness swelling and water absorption of the composites increased with the increase in the filler loading, but to a negligible extent as compared with the wood-based composites and the solid woods. Nano-SiO₂ addition showed little positive effect on the mechanical properties. It can be concluded from this study that the used waste lignocellulosic materials are attractive reinforcements from the standpoint of their physico-mechanical properties.     

Effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

In order to study the effects of desert dust on yield and yield components of cowpea, two field experiments were conducted in the factorial layout based on randomized complete block design with three replicates in Dezful and Mashhad, Iran in 2015. The experimental treatments were combinations of desert dust in three levels (0, 500 and 1500 µg m^?3), numbers of desert dust application (once, twice and thrice) and two types of desert dust. The desert-dust particles were collected during dust storms occurred in Dezful and Zabol, which are the main sources of dust in Iran. The results showed that the biological yield and the grain yield were significantly decreased in both studied sites (Dezful and Mashhad) when the plants exposed to 500 µg m^?3 desert dust treatment compared to normal conditions. Total soluble sugar and proline contents in plant leaf tissues increased significantly when they affected by 1500 µg m^?3 of desert dust, while the plant height was significantly decreased by increasing the desert-dust concentrations at both sites. Biological yield, grain yield, and 100-seed weight were also significantly affected by the desert dust. Overall, the desert dust has adverse effects on yield of cowpea.