Modulation of nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities in aquatic animals: The functional feed additives scenario

Considering the costs of feed costs (nearly 60% of production cost), nutrition, feeding and feed utilization are among the most important factors in commercial aquaculture. During the last decade, administration of functional feed additives has been practiced for enhancing nutrient digestibility and digestive enzyme activities of cultured fish and shellfish. Traditionally, antibiotics were used for boosting growth performance and nutrient digestibility in commercial aquaculture. However, emergence of resistance pathogens and possible risk to human health resulted in limitation or prohibition of prophylactic administration of antibiotics. Recently, there was increasing attentions towards dietary administration of functional feed additives that include probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics for elevation of digestive enzyme activity and nutrient digestibility. The results of those studies revealed contradictory effects of different pro‐, pre‐ or synbiotics on various fish species. It seems that the effects are species specific and related to modulation of the intestinal microbiota. In view of this issue, the present review provides a comprehensive sight on the effects of different pro‐, pre‐ and synbiotics on digestive enzyme activity and nutrient digestibility in different species with special focus on the mode of action. In addition, the present review highlighted the gaps of existing knowledge as well as suggesting the subjects which needs additional studies.     

Effect of spirulina Spirulina platensis as a complementary ingredient to reduce dietary fish meal on the growth performance,whole‐body composition,fatty acid and amino acid profiles,and pigmentation of Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius) juveniles

Spirulina has been highlighted as a valuable complementary ingredient in aquafeeds due to its high protein and vitamin content, in addition to other nutritional benefits. To evaluate the effect of dietary spirulina inclusion in fish meal sparing (FMS) on juvenile Caspian brown trout as a slow‐growth fish, a complete randomized experimental design was developed with five treatments: 0% (control), 2% FMS (13.2 g/kg spirulina in diet), 4% FMS (26.4 g/kg spirulina in diet), 6% FMS (39.6 g/kg spirulina in diet) and 8% FMS (52.8 g/kg spirulina in diet). Six hundred juveniles (11.0 ± 1.0 g) were assigned to 15 experimental tanks. Although this fish is sensitive to diet composition, fish fed the 6% FMS and 8% FMS diets had a significantly higher weight gain rate (239.51% and 231.27%) and specific growth rate (1.74% bw per day and 1.71% bw per day) compared with those fed the control diet. Furthermore, 6% FMS and 8% FMS treatments had statistically higher protein efficiency (0.76 and 0.78), lipid efficiency (1.89 and 1.94) and statistically lower feed conversion ratio (2.47 and 2.41) compared with other treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). In terms of whole‐body composition, the higher amount of protein and lower content of lipid were observed in fish fed the 8% FMS diets as compared to control. Although no significant differences in ash and moisture content were observed, the highest protein deposition (157.3 g/kg) and the lowest lipid content (77 g/kg) in whole body were reported in fish fed 8% FMS diet. Based on the fillet fatty acid outcome, fish fed the 8% FMS diet had significantly higher saturated fatty acids (SFAs), C20:3n‐6, C18:3n‐3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and total n‐3 fatty acids as compared to those fed the control diet (p < 0.05). Accordingly, increasing dietary spirulina content significantly enhanced the amount of these fatty acids in fish fillet. As regards of whole‐body amino acid profile, arginine and lysine in fish fed 6% FMS and 8% FMS diets were higher and lower than in those fed the control diet, respectively (p < 0.05). Fillet and skin colour parameters, such as luminosity, redness and yellowness, significantly increased with spirulina supplementation with the 8% FMS treatment displaying higher values than the control. In summary, according to our results, 8% FMS (52.8 g/kg spirulina in diet) treatment improved juvenile Caspian brown trout growth, carcass composition and pigmentation.     

Light transmission and the fine structure of poly(methyl methacrylate) nanofibers and films

In this paper, the structure and optical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers and films were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) and Wide-Angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) results confirmed the amorphous structure of both nanofibers and films. Low angle X-ray diffraction (LA-XRD) revealed the presence of voids and/or particles with the spacing of 128.4 Å within the nanofibers. From the Porod plots, a three-dimensional surface fractal for the nanofibers and a mass fractal structure for the films were derived. By the interpretation of Small Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), the shape and size of the particles in the samples were assessed. It was concluded that the particles shape within the nanofibers and the films were globular, with the radius of gyration of 8.5 nm for the nanofibers and 16.5 nm for the films. The nanofiber mat showed less light transparency when compared with the film. This phenomenon could be attributed to the difference in the physical shape, as well as scattering of the light by the voids or particles within the nanofibers.     

Effects of nano-fertilizers on physiological and yield characteristics of pinto bean cultivars under water deficit stress

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of water deficit stress and foliar application of zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) nanoparticles on physiological characters and seed yield of pinto bean, an experiment was designed as a split factorial design based on randomized complete blocks with three replications in two growing seasons (2016–2017 and 2017–2018). Treatments were included water deficit stress (normal irrigation and water deficit stress in 50% flowering), foliar application of nano-fertilizers (control, nano-Zn (1.5?g L^?1), nano-Fe (2?g L^?1) and combination of nano-Zn and nano-Fe) and four cultivars of pinto bean (Sadri, Coosha, Cos16, and Ghaffar). The results showed that the soluble sugars and proline content was increased under water deficit. Water deficit stress through decreasing chlorophyll and relative water content of leaves as well as the iron and zinc content of seeds, decreased seed yield and quality. The application of nano-fertilizers of zinc and iron enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity, proline and soluble sugars content as well as leaf area. Also applied nano-fertilizers improved seed quality in terms of protein content. According to obtained results the effect of foliar spray of nano-fertilizers on iron and zinc content of seeds regards to bean cultivars was different. It was concluded that the foliar application of iron combined zinc nano-fertilizers can be useful in pinto bean cultivars under water deficit stress. In both normal and water deficit Cos16 cultivar showed the better amount of studied characteristics compared to other cultivars. The results of cluster analysis of these cultivars confirmed the superiority of Cos16 cultivar.     

Penconazole and calcium improves drought stress tolerance and oil quality in canola

In this study, the effects of penconazole (PEN) and calcium (Ca) on growth amelioration and quality of seed oil in canola (Brassica napus L.) under drought stress were investigated. Drought stress reduced the growth parameters (fresh weight and dry weight) in canola; however the application of PEN and Ca improved these parameters under drought condition. Inducing effect of Ca on protein content was more prominent than PEN. Proline content increased under drought stress and PEN and Ca treatment caused more induction it under drought. PEN and Ca alleviated the negative effects of drought stress in canola by inducing antioxidant defense. The application of PEN and Ca caused a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide and mitigation of the drought induced oxidative stress. Drought stress induced protein content, total phenol, flavonol content, soluble sugar, palmitic acid and palmitoloic acid, and reduced flavonoid content, oleic acid, linolenic acid, and linolonoic acid in canola seed. PEN and Ca increased palmitic acid, linoleic acid (Omega-6), linolenic acid (Omega-3), oleic acid, protein, and soluble sugar. Our results indicated that application of PEN and Ca enables canola plants to withstand the deleterious impact of drought stress and caused improvement of antioxidant capacity, essential fatty acids (linolenic acid and linolonoic acid) and oil quality in canola seed.     

Sequential Microaerophilic-Oxic Phase Mineralization of Azo Dyes by a Monoculture of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Strain AWF Isolated from Textile Wastewater

A novel dye degrading bacterium capable of decolorizing and mineralizing four different dyes (Methyl red, Orange II, Direct red 80, and Direct blue 71) was isolated from textile industrial wastewater using the selective enrichment technique. The bacterium was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More than 80 % decolorization of Direct red 80 was obtained under microaerophilic conditions in 48 h, whereas only 10 % color removal was obtained under oxic conditions at the same time. Subsequent aeration of the decolorized medium resulted in the mineralization of the metabolic intermediates generated after azo bond cleavage by P. aeruginosa as confirmed by total organic carbon content and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses. The degradation products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques whereas the biotoxicity profile of the samples were evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality test assay. Data from this study provide evidence of dye mineralization and detoxification by a monoculture of P. aeruginosa in successive microaerophilic/oxic stages.     

Impact of integrated management of nitrogen fertilizers on yield and nutritional quality of potato

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different compositions of nitrogen (N) sources on yield and nutritional quality in potato cultivars (Solanum tuberosum L.). The experiment used a factorial arrangement as two factors in randomized complete block design. Factor (A) was nitrogen sources: control, 75% M?+?25%V, 50% M?+?50%V, 100% M, where M plots received nitrogen from mineral fertilizer and V plots received nitrogen from vermicompost. Factor (B) was potato cultivars (Sante and Savalan). In Sante cultivar, 75% M?+?25%V produced the highest total and marketable yield. In Savalan, cultivar application of vermicompost in 75% M?+?25%V and 50% M?+?50%V increased significantly total and marketable yield as compared with 100% M. Application of vermicompost significantly decreases tuber nitrate content and increases nitrogen-use efficiency. In Savalan, cultivar 50% V?+?50%M and in Sante cultivar 75% V?+?25%M can effectively be used for improving yield and nutritional quality of tuber.     

Comparison of two models for estimating the soil particle-size distribution curve based on soil textural data

Mathematical models employing textural data are commonly used for the estimation of the particle-size distribution (PSD) curve. In this study, two models were used: (1) the model proposed by Fredlund et al. (2000) (F model), and (2) the model proposed by Skaggs et al. (2001) later modified by Fooladmand and Sepaskhah (2006) (FS model). Comparison of the results obtained by these two models, applied for 30 soils from the south of Iran, showed that the F model was better when the model parameters were determined by setting minimum differences between the measured and estimated PSD curve. Also, three equations based on soil textural data were derived for estimating parameters of the F model, and these equations were used to estimate the PSD curve. The results showed that for 10 independent soils from the south of Iran and 50 soils from the UNSODA database, the FS model was better than the F model based on three new derived equations. Therefore, the FS model can be safely used to estimate the PSD curve with different soil textures; however, the F model is appropriate for representation of the measured PSD curve.     

Identification of Sequence Variation in the Apolipoprotein A2 Gene and Their Relationship with Serum High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels

Background:

Apolipoprotein A2 (APOA2) is the second major apolipoprotein of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The study aim was to identify APOA2 gene variation in individuals within two extreme tails of HDL-C levels and its relationship with HDL-C level.

Methods:

This cross-sectional survey was conducted on participants from Tehran Glucose and Lipid Study (TLGS) at Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Tehran, Iran from April 2012 to February 2013. In total, 79 individuals with extreme low HDL-C levels (≤5^th percentile for age and gender) and 63 individuals with extreme high HDL-C levels (≥95^th percentile for age and gender) were selected. Variants were identified using DNA amplification and direct sequencing.

Results:

Screen of all exons and the core promoter region of APOA2 gene identified nine single nucleotide substitutions and one microsatellite; five of which were known and four were new variants. Of these nine variants, two were common tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and seven were rare SNPs. Both exonic substitutions were missense mutations and caused an amino acid change. There was a significant association between the new missense mutation (variant Chr.1:16119226, Ala98Pro) and HDL-C level.

Conclusion:

None of two common tag SNPs of rs6413453 and rs5082 contributes to the HDL-C trait in Iranian population, but a new missense mutation in APOA2 in our population has a significant association with HDL-C.