Growth performance and body composition of white seabream (Diplodus sargus) juveniles fed diets with different protein and lipid levels

An 83‐day feeding trial was carried out to determine the effect of different dietary protein and lipid levels on the growth performances and carcass composition of white seabream. Juveniles (10.7±0.2 g) were fed to satiation on four diets, varying in protein (15% and 28%) and lipid (12% and 16%) levels. The best growth performance was observed in fish fed on diets with higher protein level. Dietary lipids did not affect growth performance. Voluntary feed intake decreased with a increasing dietary protein level at both dietary lipid levels. Feed conversion ratio improved with the increase in dietary protein and lipid levels. Carcass composition remained unaltered by dietary protein levels (P>0.05). Carcass protein content tended to decrease, while lipid content tended to increase in groups fed on 16% lipid, compared with the 12% lipid groups. Additionally, protein retention was higher in fish fed on low‐protein and low‐lipid levels, compared with the high‐protein and high‐lipid group (29% vs. 19%). Lipid retention increased significantly with dietary protein level (P<0.001). Energy retention improved with dietary protein, but was not affected by dietary lipid levels. On the basis of our results, feeding white seabream on 15% dietary protein had a negative effect on growth and feed utilization. Dietary lipid did not induce a protein‐sparing action in Diplodus sargus juveniles.     

Dietary lipid level and source affect metabolic responses in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus)

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of dietary lipid source [linseed oil (LO, rich in 18:3 n?3); corn oil (CO, rich in 18:2 n?6); olive oil (OO, rich in 18:1n?9); and fish oil (FO, rich in LC‐PUFA)] and level (9% L and 18% L) on growth, body composition and selected plasma biochemistry parameters in hybrid catfish (Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum × Leiarius marmoratus) juveniles. Moreover, liver histology (lipids, glycogen, cell vacuolization) and key metabolic enzyme activities were also evaluated. After 8 weeks of feeding, there were no differences in growth performance and whole‐body composition between groups. Plasma lipoprotein, muscle and liver composition, and G6PD and ME activity were affected by lipid level and source. No differences were observed between groups in hepatic ALT activity; however, AST activity was lower in fish fed the 9% L diets. Overall, liver and muscle fatty acid composition reflected that of diet FA composition, with increased n3/n6 ratio, high HUFA and low MUFA in fish fed FO compared with the VO diets. Higher liver glycogen content was observed in fish fed the 18% L than the 9% L diets, except for fish fed FO diet. Considering the experimental diets used, these results indicate that hybrid catfish can efficiently utilize VO supplementation as an energy source, without affecting growth performance and fillet composition.     

Effect of dietary starch source (normal versus waxy) and protein levels on the performance of white sea bream Diplodus sargus (Linnaeus) juveniles

An experiment was performed to evaluate the growth performance and feed utilization of white sea bream juveniles (initial weight, 14 g) fed diets of cornstarch of different origins (normal and waxy). Four experimental diets were formulated to be isolipidic and to contain normal and waxy starch (26% or 42%) at two protein (36% and 48%) levels. The growth trial lasted 15 weeks and, at the end of the trial, there were no differences in the growth rate among groups. At the highest dietary starch level – but not at the lowest level – the feed efficiency ratio and PER were significantly lower in fish fed the waxy starch diet. Protein efficiency ratio and N retention (% N intake) were not affected by starch source but were significantly higher in the diets with a lower protein content. No differences in energy retention (% energy intake) were observed among groups. Except for the protein content, which was significantly higher in fish fed diets with a high protein level, no other differences were observed among groups in whole‐body composition. Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) was significantly higher in fish fed high‐starch diets, but there were no differences in visceral indices among groups. The apparent digestibility coefficients of protein and energy were not affected by the dietary starch level, but were significantly lower in diets including waxy starch. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity was higher in fish fed high‐protein diets, but it was not affected by dietary starch source. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were not different among groups. Glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme and fatty acid synthetase activities were not affected by the dietary starch level, but were significantly lower in fish fed waxy starch. The results of this study indicate that diets for white sea bream juveniles may include up to 42% starch without negative effects on fish performance. Moreover, normal starch appears to be more efficiently used as an energy source than waxy starch.     

Evaluation of corn gluten meal as a protein source in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) juveniles

A 12‐week growth trial was conducted to evaluate corn gluten meal as an alternative protein source to fish meal in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles. The experimental diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic and to have 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% of fish meal protein, the only protein source in the control diet, replaced by corn gluten meal. At the end of the growth trial only the group fed the diet with 80% corn gluten protein exhibited significantly reduced growth and feed efficiency compared with the fish meal‐based diet. This was most likely due to a dietary amino acid deficiency in that diet. A trend was noticed for feed efficiency to improve with the replacement of fish meal protein in the diets up to 60%. There were no significant differences among groups in protein and energy retention (as percentage of intake). At the end of the trial whole body water content of the experimental groups was significantly lower and the lipid content of groups including 60% and 80% corn gluten protein was significantly higher than that in the control. No other differences were observed in whole body composition among groups. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of the diets were evaluated in a separate trial. The ADC of dry matter of the experimental diets was significantly higher than in the control diet; there were no significant differences among diets in the ADC of energy and protein, except for the ADC of protein of diet with 80% corn gluten protein, which was significantly lower than the control. The results of this study indicate that corn gluten meal can replace up to 60% fish meal protein in diets for gilthead sea bream juveniles with no negative effects on fish performance.     

Influence of temperature and ontogeny on the levels of glucosinolates in broccoli (Brassica oleracea Var. italica) sprouts and their effect on the induction of mammalian phase 2 enzymes

Broccoli inflorescences have been recognized as components of healthy diets on the basis of their high content of fiber, vitamin C, carotenoids, and glucosinolates/isothiocyanates. Broccoli sprouts have been recently shown to have high levels of glucoraphanin (4-methylsulfinylbutyl glucosinolate), the precursor of the chemoprotective isothiocyanate, sulforaphane. This study evaluated the effects of temperature and developmental stage on the glucosinolate content of broccoli sprouts. Seedlings cultivated using a 30/15 degrees C (day/night) temperature regime had significantly higher glucosinolate levels (measured at six consecutive days postemergence) than did sprouts cultivated at lower temperatures (22/15 and 18/12 degrees C; p < 0.001). Both higher (33.1 degrees C) and lower (11.3 degrees C) constant temperatures induced higher glucosinolate levels in sprouts grown to a uniform size. Glucosinolate levels were highest in cotyledons and lowest in roots of sprouts dissected both early and late in the 11 day developmental span investigated. Nongerminated seeds have the highest glucosinolate levels and concordantly greater induction of mammalian phase 2 detoxication enzymes. Levels decline as sprouts germinate and develop, with consistently higher glucosinolate content in younger developmental stages, independent of the temperature regime. Temperature stress or its associated developmental anomalies induce higher glucosinolate levels, specific elevations in glucoraphanin content, and parallel induction of phase 2 chemoprotective enzymes.     

Effect of dietary protein and lipid level on metabolic utilization of diets by european sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles

Two trials were performed with sea bass juveniles to study the effect of dietary protein (trial I) and lipid (trial II) levels on the metabolic utilization of diets at 25 °C. The effect of water temperature (18 and 25 °C) on metabolism was also tested in trial I. For that purpose, oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were measured both in fed and in 9-days starved fish. In trial I, diets were formulated to be isoenergetic (GE: 19.4 kJ g^–1) and to have 36, 42, 48 and 56% protein; in trial II, diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (48% protein) and to have 12, 18, 24 and 30% lipid. In trial I, feed intake (g kg^–1 day^–1), and daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption significantly increased with water temperature. However, when expressed relatively to intake there was no significant effect of temperature on ammonia excretion (% N intake) or heat production (% GE intake). Heat increment of feeding (% GE intake) was neither affected by diet composition nor by water temperature. The relative contribution of protein catabolism to total energy expenditure significantly increased with dietary protein level, but was not affected by water temperature. In trial II, both daily ammonia excretion and oxygen consumption were inversely correlated to dietary lipid levels. Nitrogen excretion, heat production, heat increment of feeding, non-fecal losses (% intake) and the relative contribution of protein to total energy expenditure were also inversely related to dietary lipid levels. Results of this study indicate that the main effect of water temperature was to modify feed intake, not the metabolic utilization of diets. Indeed, expressed relatively to nitrogen or energy intakes, both nitrogen and energy budgets were not significantly affected by water temperature. A decrease of dietary protein to energy ratio, by modifying either dietary protein or lipid levels, spared protein utilization for metabolism, and this effect was essentially due to a decrease of non-fecal nitrogen excretion and of the heat increment of feeding.     

The role of silicon fertilization in the synthesis of phenolic compounds on chestnut plants infected with P. cinnamomi and C. parasitica

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Silicon is considered a beneficial nutrient for agricultural crops by conferred protection against diseases. The antifungal effect of the phenolic...     

Assessment of the phenotypic diversity in natural populations of Annona coriacea Mart.: implications for breeding

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Annona coriacea Mart. is a native tree to the savannas of Brazil that produces fruits that have economic, ecological, and dietary potential for use by local...     

Temperature and dietary starch level affected protein but not starch digestibility in gilthead sea bream juveniles

A study was carried out with gilthead sea bream juveniles to assess the effect of water temperature (18 and 25°C) and dietary pregelatinized starch level (10, 20 and 30%) on digestibility of protein and starch and on the activity of proteolytic and amylolytic enzymes. ADC of pregelatinized starch was very high (>99%) irrespectively of dietary inclusion level, and it was not affected by water temperature. ADC of protein was also high (>90%) but improved at the higher water temperature. Dietary starch interacted with protein digestibility, which decreased as dietary starch level increased. Temperature affected both acid and basic protease activities, with acid protease activity being higher at 25°C and basic protease activity being higher at 18°C. However, total proteolytic activity and amylase activities were not affected by water temperature. Dietary carbohydrate exerted no effect on proteolytic or amylolitic activities. It is concluded that gilthead sea bream juveniles digest pregelatinized starch very efficiently irrespective of water temperature, due to adjustments of amylase activity to cope with temperature differences. Pregelatinized starch interacts negatively with protein digestibility, with the ADC of protein decreasing as dietary starch levels increase.     

The invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus: lessons for its current range expansion in South America and invasive pest management in general

The invasive mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a plant feeding insect believed to be native to Southern Asia or Australia. This mealybug has become established in many regions throughout the world (including the Caribbean and North America) in the past 100 years and is currently expanding its range in South America. Because this insect is of concern as a potential pest of many plant species, this review is provided to summarize knowledge of M. hirsutus based on past research that may be most useful for addressing the current invasion of South America by the species, and to identify gaps in information that may need to be addressed to inhibit the spread of the insect and improve management methods for this and similar organisms. In most areas into which M. hirsutus has expanded its range it is commonly suppressed by native or introduced natural enemies. Therefore, besides preventing introduction, establishment and spread of this potential pest, efforts should be made to determine if natural enemies of M. hirsutus are present in areas of concern (i.e., where the mealybug may be introduced and become established). Such information will enable determination of the need for introduction or augmentation of biological control agents in response to possible entry and establishment of the mealybug in new areas. Methods developed in response to the recent invasion of the Caribbean and North America by M. hirsutus may serve as models for addressing the threat of this and similar invasive pests in South America and elsewhere.