FT‐Raman Spectroscopy and Its Applications in Cereal Science

We present a brief introduction to FT‐Raman spectroscopy and examples of its use in cereal science for readers not familiar with Raman spectroscopy. We illustrate the use of FT‐Raman spectroscopy as an analytical tool to measure the degree of chemical modification of chemically modified starches and as a technique to determine conformational and structural changes in plant proteins under different environmental conditions. We briefly describe other applications of Raman spectroscopy in cereal science.     

Stable isotope analysis reveals ontogenetic migration and the importance of a large mangrove estuary as a feeding ground for juvenile John’s snapper <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lutjanus johnii</Emphasis>

Stable carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios were measured to investigate the migration of John’s snapper Lutjanus johnii and its dependence on the food resources provided within the large Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (40,151 ha), Malaysia. John’s snapper, and its main prey food such as penaeids, Acetes shrimps and mysids, showed generally depleted δ¹³C values in the inner mangrove area but more enriched values in the river mouth and coastal area. Some juveniles migrated into the inner mangrove areas, although they were also distributed near the river mouth areas. Isotopic signatures of snapper fish and prey reveal the ontogenetic migration of the youngest juvenile fish (<5 cm in total length) from the coastal area into the mangrove area, shifting their dependence from the coastal food web to the inner mangrove food web with their growth. The study shows the importance of the complex interconnected mangrove waterways and associated prey animals present in the large mangrove system to juvenile John’s snapper.     

Numerical investigation into effects of seabed topography on flows in and around artificial reefs

ABSTRACT:   Deploying artificial reefs is a proven technique for increasing both the number of fish and the diversity of the marine ecosystem in a particular area of the sea body. Previous investigations in this field have generally focused on the influence of the reef block design on flow phenomena. By contrast, the effects of the seabed topography on the performance of the reef have received comparatively little attention. Accordingly, in the present study numerical simulations are performed to investigate the effect of different seabed topographies on the flow field structures created both in and around artificial reefs. The simulations focus specifically on the effects induced by concave and convex seabed features, i.e. mounds and trenches, respectively, characterized by various degrees of inclination. The simulations are performed using a finite volume numerical method, in which the seabed features are modeled using simple trapezoidal blocks. A total of 18 different reef block–seabed topography systems are considered. The simulation results provide a valuable reference for marine engineers and ecologists when formulating deployment strategies aimed at enhancing the performance of artificial reefs.     

Flow field control via aeration adjustment for the enhancement of larval survival of the kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus (Perciformes:Serranidae)

Flow field control via aeration adjustment for the enhancement of larval survival of the kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus was examined. Aeration rate of 300 mL min^?1 was introduced during daylight (07:00–19:00 hours) and adjusted to 0, 300 and 900 mL min^?1 at night (19:00–07:00 hours). Larval sinking velocity±SD increased from 0.08 ± 0.05 to 0.26 ± 0.24 cm sec^?1 from 4 to 12 days after hatching (DAH), indicating their susceptibility to sink. Larvae reared in 300 mLmin^?1 attained the highest survival rate at 24.9 ± 3.4%, but remained significantly smaller in growth: 4.54 ± 0.56 mm compared with 4.82 ± 0.53 mm in 900 mL min^?1. The flow field in 300 and 900 mL min^?1 was at 10–20 and 15–25 cm above the bottom of the tank and 8.0 and 1.0 cm beneath the water surface. A favourable rearing condition was observed in 300 mL min^?1 as larvae were away from the bottom and surface areas, thus preventing them from dying due to sinking and surface tension‐related death (STRD). Although sinking death was decreased with an increasing aeration rate, the stronger flow had increased larval susceptibility to STRD. Our findings suggest that aeration at 300 mL min^?1 could enhance larval survival by reducing both sinking death and STRD.     

Aeration rate adjustment at night to prevent sinking syndrome‐related death in the tiger grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Perciformes:Serranidae) larvae

The effects of different aeration rates at night to prevent sinking syndrome‐related death (SSRD) of the tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus were examined. The aeration rates were fixed at 300 mL min^?1 at daytime (07:00–19:00 hours) and regulated to 0, 300 and 900 mL min^?1 at night (19:00–07:00 hours). Larval survival, growth, feeding intake, sinking velocity, distribution and behaviour, stress level, surface tension‐related death (STRD) and flow velocity distribution were assessed. The occurrence of SSRD in the tiger grouper was observed through the accelerated sinking velocity (Vl) (from 0.15 ± 0.09 cm s^?1 at 4 days AH to 0.41 ± 0.09 cm s^?1 at 12 days AH) coupled with larval passive swimming behaviour at night‐time. On the final day of experiment (15 days AH), larvae reared in 900 mL min^?1 at night had attained significantly higher (P < 0.05) survival (34.4 ± 5.5%), growth (5.8 ± 0.5 mm) and feeding intake (60.46 ± 6.98 ind. larva^?1). A favourable flow field for the tiger grouper was produced in 900 mL min^?1 at night‐time, in which larvae were transported 15–25 cm above the tank bottom and 1.0 cm beneath the water surface. Under these night‐time rearing conditions, larval stress level and number of STRD reared in 900 mL min^?1 compared with those observed in 300 mL min^?1 remained insignificant, indicating that strong turbulence of flow velocity was not detrimental for larvae. Our findings recommend aeration at 900 mL min^?1 at night as this could improve larval survival by reducing SSRD.     

Natural spawning,embryonic and larval development of F2 hybrid grouper,tiger grouper Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × giant grouper E. lanceolatus

This study aims to reveal the first report of the natural spawning of F1 hybrid grouper (TGGG), a crossbreed between the tiger grouper, Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × giant grouper, E. lanceolatus, since its first production in 2006. This marks the completion of its full cycle after a 10-year period. In order to establish a seed rearing protocol for a novel F2 hybrid TGGG, natural spawning, embryonic and larval developments were thoroughly observed. Five batches of natural spawning were recorded with an average of 1.50–15.3 kg eggs collected, while fertilization and hatching rates were recorded at 85.3–97.6%, and 63.0–98.3%, respectively. F2 larvae hatched out at 17:50 hours with an average body size of 1.74 ± 0.01 mm, and a yolk sac volume of 0.85 ± 0.197 mm3. The first feeding was initiated 3 days after hatching, which coincided with the onset of functional feeding apparatus and active swimming behavior. Larval dorsal and pelvic spines were formed at 6 days AH coupled with dynamic feeding activity, as more food was found in the digestive tract. Meanwhile, the F2 hybrid grouper shifted habitat from pelagic to benthic as early as 25 days AH, and entered a juvenile stage at 35 days AH, attaining a skin coloration similar to that of the F1 juvenile. This study concluded that naturally spawned eggs of F2 hybrid TGGG were exceptionally high in quality, although larvae were small and fragile, and performed vigorous feeding activities and cannibalistic behavior. Thus, these findings can serve as primary data to further develop the optimal rearing protocol to enhance the overall rearing performance.     

Fibrosarcoma with sarcomatosis and metastasis in a FeLV-negative cat

A 6-year-old, spayed female, mixed shorthair cat presented to the emergency service at The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center for evaluation of hypercalcemia, a right eye mass, and multiple intrathoracic and intra-abdominal masses. Cytologic evaluation of one of the abdominal masses revealed a uniform population of large, anaplastic mesenchymal cells found individually, in loose aggregates, and occasionally associated with pink, extracellular matrix. The cytology was consistent with a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm, with primary consideration given to fibrosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma. The cat was euthanized and histopathology confirmed disseminated fibrosarcoma. Fibrosarcoma comprises 12%-41% of feline cutaneous tumors and affects cats at a mean age of 9.6 years. Three manifestations of fibrosarcoma predominate in cats: spontaneous solitary fibrosarcoma, vaccine-induced/injection site fibrosarcoma, and oncogene-induced (FSV) fibrosarcoma. The history, signalment, and results from diagnostics performed did not support solitary fibrosarcoma or injection-induced sarcoma. Although some criteria fit with virally induced fibrosarcoma, such as age and the presence of multiple fibrosarcomas, the neoplastic population was negative for FeLV IHC. The presence of fibrosarcomas throughout the pleural and peritoneal cavity was most compatible with sarcomatosis and the distant metastasis of an unidentified primary neoplasm. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first reported case of sarcomatosis in a FeLV-negative cat.     

Alpha-tocopherol content in 62 edible tropical plants.

Vitamin E was determined by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. All the plants tested showed differences in their alpha-tocopherol content and the differences were significant (p < 0.05). The highest alpha-tocopherol content was in Sauropus androgynus leaves (426.8 mg/kg edible portion), followed by Citrus hystrix leaves (398.3 mg/kg), Calamus scipronum (193.8 mg/kg), starfruit leaves Averrhoa belimbi (168.3 mg/kg), red pepper Capsicum annum (155.4 mg/kg), local celery Apium graveolens (136.4 mg/kg), sweet potato shoots Ipomoea batatas (130.1 mg/kg), Pandanus odorus (131.5 mg/kg), Oenanthe javanica (146.8 mg/kg), black tea Camelia chinensis (183.3 mg/kg),papaya Carica papaya shoots (111.3 mg/kg), wolfberry leaves Lycium chinense (94.4 mg/kg), bird chili Capsicum frutescens leaves (95.4 mg/kg), drumstick Moringa oleifera leaves (90.0 mg/kg), green chili Capsicum annum (87 mg/kg), Allium fistulosum leaves (74.6 mg/kg), and bell pepper Capsicum annum (71.0 mg/kg). alpha-Tocopherol was not detected in Brassica oleracea, Phaeomeria speciosa, Pachyrrhizus speciosa, Pleurotus sajor-caju, and Solanum melongena.