The use of fenugreek seed meal in fish diets: growth performance,haematological and biochemical parameters,survival and stress resistance of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.)

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed meal (FKSM) on growth performance, blood haematological and biochemical factors, survival and stress resistance of the common carp (2.46 ± 0.06 g) fingerlings. Four practical diets containing 0 (control), 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% FKSM were used to feed fish. Fish were fed on the tested diets at a rate of 3% of body weight for 8 weeks. Results indicated that fish fed the control diet had a significantly lower weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor compared to the other treatments (P < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio decreased significantly in fish fed diets containing FKSM. There were no significant differences in glucose levels, red blood cell count, haematocrit and haemoglobin between treatment groups and the control group (P > 0.05). Significantly lower white blood cells count was observed in fish treatment with FKSM when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The cholesterol level in group fed supplemented diet by 1% fenugreek significantly lower than other groups (P < 0.05). Total protein levels were significantly higher in all treatments compared to the control (P < 0.05). No mortality was recorded during the feeding trial. In salinity stress experiment, highest survival rate belong to fish fed supplemented diet by 1% fenugreek. These results indicate that FKSM can be considered as a beneficial dietary supplement for improving the growth performance and blood indices of common carp fingerling.     

In vitro selection and characterization of putative probiotics isolated from the gut of Acipenser baerii (Brandt, 1869)

To select and characterize potential probiotic bacteria from the gut microbiota of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), 129 strains isolated from the hindgut were screened for antagonistic activity against five fish pathogens. Ten isolates showed antagonism towards three or more pathogens. Nine of these isolates were Gram‐positive, belonging to Lactococcus (seven) and Bacillus (two), and a single strain belonging to the Gram‐negative Citrobacter. These inhibitory isolates were identified using genetic, phentotypic and biochemical traits, and further characterized by in vitro tests assessing the adhesion and growth in mucus and resistance to gastric and intestinal fluids. The candidate probiotics were determined to be non‐pathogenic through an in vivo study. Based on these assays, Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis STG45 and STG81 showed the broadest inhibitory potential, a high viability in simulated gastrointestinal juice and the highest adhesion capacity to mucus. They were therefore selected as the most promising candidate probiotics. This is the first study screening probiotics among the gut microflora of Siberian sturgeon.     

A comparison of root distribution of three hardwood species grown on a hillside in the Caspian forest,Iran

Slope is a complex environmental factor that can subject plants to a number of mechanical stresses. The anchorage of roots and improvement of slope stability mainly depend on specific properties of root systems, such as root distribution. In the present study, 24 trees (from three species) growing on gentle slopes (10–20°) were randomly chosen for root distribution analysis. The profile trenching method was used to obtain root characteristics. The findings indicated that root area ratio (RAR) decreased with depth and that maximum RAR values were observed in the upper layers; RAR values were between 0.0004% and 6.6444%. Average RAR values were not statistically different in upslope and downslope layers except in one case. The dot grid method (100 × 150 mm) usually overestimated the RAR values. The amount of roots decreased with depth following a power law. About 50% and 90% of roots were located in the first 30 and 60 cm depths, respectively. Results of analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) showed a significant effect of diameter at breast height (DBH) on total RAR but not on the total number of roots. About 70% of roots had diameter of less than 10 mm. Spearman’s correlation showed significant negative correlation between the total number of roots and the amount of N, P, and K elements, and a positive correlation between DBH and RAR. The results serve to develop understanding of the biotechnical characteristics of root systems of Caspian species.     

Effect of polysaccharides extracts of algae Ulva rigida on growth,antioxidant, immune response and resistance of shrimp,Litopenaeus vannamei against Photobacterium damselae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of water‐soluble polysaccharides extract of algae Ulva rigida (WPU) as dietary supplement on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activity, and resistance of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) subjected to bacterial infection with Photobacterium damselae. Three replicate groups of shrimp (1.0 g) were fed four diets containing four levels, 0 or control, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of WPU for 8 weeks over the growth trial. Thereafter, 30 shrimps from each dietary treatment were infected with bacteria P. damselae to evaluate disease resistance of infected shrimp. The results of this study showed that WPU was effective as a growth promoter for L. vannamei. The best growth rate was observed in shrimp fed 1.5 g/kg of WPU diet. Regarding antioxidant defences, the diets supplemented with three levels of WPU stimulated glutathione peroxidase and catalase activates in experimental shrimps. MDA content of L. vannamei‐fed diet containing WPU 1.5 and WPU 1.0 was lower than WPU 0 and WPU 0. 5 diets. Also, lysozyme and phenoloxidase activities of shrimp receiving WPU at 1.0 and 1.5 level were significantly higher than those fed WPU 0 and WPU 0.5 diets. In addition, using WPU extract in all diets decreased mortality in L. vannamei in a dose‐dependent manner after challenge with P. damselae. These results suggest that incorporation of water‐soluble polysaccharides from green algae U. rigida at 1.5 g/kg doses improves growth and antioxidant activity and enhances the immune responses in shrimp L. vannamei.