Effects of conventional and organic feed on the mineral composition of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a widely consumed marine fish in Mediterranean areas, and different farming techniques are applied for fish culturing to satisfy the growing demand for seafood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of conventional and organic feed on the quality of cultured European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) collected during the growth period. The concentrations of ash, moisture, essential macro‐elements (Ca, K, Mg, Na and P), micro‐elements (Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn) and toxic elements (As, Cd, and Pb) were determined in feeds and in fillets of cultured fish. The results were compared to those obtained from wild sea bass. Results showed that the differences between organic diet‐fed and conventional diet‐fed sea basses varied in relation to the specific element measured and the growth period. The former showed higher concentration of Fe, Mg and Cr, and lower Na content. The amount of P, Na, Fe, Cu and Cr in wild sea bass was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher than that found in farmed fish. The levels of toxic elements in cultured sea bass were always within the allowed limit for fishery products. Wild samples had significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher content of arsenic and lead than farmed sea bass. Cultured fish represent a valuable dietary source of essential macro‐ and micro‐elements. Controlled rearing systems and feedings were related to a decrease in the presence of some toxic metals in cultured fish compared with wild fish.     

The influence of dietary fatty acid and fasting on the hepatic lipid metabolism of barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

For many fish species, dietary fish oil (FO) has been substituted with other oils such as poultry oil (PO) without affecting growth performance. However, in barramundi, the mechanisms by which fatty acid metabolism is regulated are poorly understood, and the effects of FO substitution are unknown. This study defined changes in the expression of genes controlling the metabolism of fatty acids in barramundi over a 24‐h time period after a single meal. From one to 12 h after a single feeding event, the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes in the liver was upregulated, while genes involved in the β‐oxidation showed minimal alteration. However, the expression of β‐oxidation genes was significantly correlated with the expression of genes regulating fatty acid synthesis. In a second experiment, the changes in liver fatty acid composition and gene expression were defined after FO was substituted with PO. Liver fatty acid profile reflected the diet composition, with some subtle exceptions supporting the enrichment of certain long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the liver. The fish from all experimental groups preferentially retained more docosahexaenoic acid than eicosapentaenoic acid in the liver, suggesting a bioconversion of this fatty acid to intermediate fatty acids. Replacement of FO with PO significantly regulated genes controlling both fatty acid synthesis and catabolism pathways, potentially related to a higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids, in the livers of fish fed these diets. The results demonstrated that diet composition significantly altered the lipid metabolism in barramundi and that there was a balance between direct dietary effects and endogenous synthetic capacity.     

饲料中添加肌肉生长抑制素抑制肽对海鲈生长性能、体组成、血清生化指标及肝脏与血清免疫指标的影响

本试验旨在研究饲料中添加肌肉生长抑制素抑制肽对海鲈生长性能、体组成、血清生化指标及肝脏与血清免疫指标的影响。以初始均重为(9.05±0.05)g的海鲈幼鱼为试验动物,暂养1周后,挑选规格一致的健康试验鱼480尾,随机分为4组,每组4个重复(水族箱),每个重复放养30尾鱼。4组试验鱼分别投喂肌肉生长抑制素抑制肽添加水平为0(对照)、0.25%、0.50%、0.75%的试验饲料135 d。结果显示:1)0.50%组的增重率(WGR)、特定生长率(SGR)和成活率(SR)均显著高于对照组(P0.05),各添加组的饲料系数(FCR)均显著低于对照组(P0.05),且以0.50%组的FCR最低;2)各添加组的背肌粗脂肪含量均显著低于对照组(P0.05),0.50%组的背肌粗蛋白质含量显著高于对照组(P0.05),全鱼的水分、粗蛋白质、粗脂肪、粗灰分和背肌的水分、粗灰分含量在各组之间没有显著差异(P0.05);3)0.25%组的血清总蛋白(TP)、白蛋白(ALB)和总胆固醇(TC)含量显著低于其他各组(P0.05),血清甘油三酯(TG)含量各组间不存在显著差异(P0.05);4)0.50%和0.75%组的血清碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性显著高于对照组(P0.05),0.25%和0.50%组的肝脏溶菌酶(LZM)活性显著高于对照组(P0.05),肝脏与血清的总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和肝脏超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性各组间不存在显著差异(P0.05)。综上所述,在饲料中添加肌肉生长抑制素抑制肽能够促进海鲈的生长并提高免疫能力,本试验条件下最适添加水平为0.50%。     

大口黑鲈肌肉生长抑制素基因单核苷酸多态性位点的筛选及其与生长性状关联性分析

采用PCR-SSCP和PCR-RFLP技术对大口黑鲈肌肉生长抑制素(myostatin,MSTN)基因全序列进行了SNPs位点筛选和分型,共筛选到2个单核苷酸多态性(SNPs)位点(C-1453T和T+33C),其中C-1453T位于启动子E8 box和Octamer(＋)调控元件之间的区域,T+33C的突变位于第一外显子区域,属于同义突变,氨基酸没有发生变化;利用一般线性模型分析单标记位点与大口黑鲈生长性状(体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距)相关性,均未达到显著水平(P>0.05)。将2个SNPs位点不同基因型组合成6种双倍型(去掉频率小于3%的组合),关联分析表明,双倍型D2在体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距的均值均高于其它双倍型,而双倍型D5在体重、体长、体高、体宽和眼间距的均值均低于其它双倍型,双倍型D2与D5之间在5个主要生长性状均存在差异显著(P＜0.05),推测双倍型D2对生长性状起正相关,而双倍型D5与大口黑鲈的生长性状呈负相关,因此推断MSTN基因突变位点双倍型D2与D5可作为大口黑鲈生长性状的两个标记位点,用其分子标记位点来辅助大口黑鲈育种工作以期加快育种进程。     

Implications of piscine predator control on the federally listed fountain darter

One strategy for protecting the federally listed fountain darter, Etheostoma fonticola (Jordan & Gilbert), during low flow conditions is the removal of piscine carnivores [in this case, largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède)]. However, headwater spring communities of the Comal and San Marcos rivers include another potential predator [red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii (Girard)]. Removal of piscine carnivores could produce cascading effects by increasing crayfish consumption of benthic fish. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if piscine carnivore removal will lessen predatory pressure or induce a trophic cascade with crayfish increasing and causing declines in fountain darter. The numbers of fountain darter consumed were quantified among three predator treatments (red swamp crayfish only, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined) and vegetation treatments (vegetated and non‐vegetated) at three temperature regimes (18, 22, 27°C). Vegetation had no effect on fountain darter predation. Among temperature trials, largemouth bass only and red swamp crayfish and largemouth bass combined consumed similar numbers of fountain darter, and red swamp crayfish only consumed the least numbers of fountain darter, except at 22°C. Largemouth bass did not consume more red swamp crayfish than fountain darter. Therefore, largemouth bass removal appears to be a viable option for reducing fountain darter predation during periods of low flow.     

果蔬复合果丹皮的加工工艺研究

[目的]研究海带的脱腥工艺和复合果丹皮的配方。[方法]以海带、苹果、胡萝卜等为主要原料,通过正交试验优选复合果丹皮的最佳工艺配方,并用绿茶进行了海带的脱腥处理试验。[结果]用浓度为1.5%的茉莉花茶60℃处理海带10 min可脱腥。复合果丹皮的最佳配方：苹果浆∶海带浆∶胡萝卜浆为2∶1∶1,加糖量为30.00%,柠檬酸0.90%,海藻酸钠0.10%调配,在60℃下干燥6.0 h。[结论]在最佳工艺条件下,可得色泽、风味、口感较好的果蔬复合果丹皮。     

Comparison of the effects of six stunning/killing procedures on flesh quality of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax,Linnaeus 1758) and evaluation of clove oil anaesthesia followed by chilling on ice/water slurry for potential implementation in aquaculture

The effects of different stunning/killing procedures on flesh quality of European sea bass were investigated: (1) anaesthesia with clove oil, (2) anaesthesia with 2‐phenoxyethanol, (3) percussive stunning, (4) immersion in ice/water slurry, (5) chilling on ice and (6) anaesthesia with clove oil followed by immersion in ice/water slurry. Muscle pH values were significantly lower in sea bass anaesthetized or stunned by a blow to the head compared with fish immersed in ice/water slurry, chilled on ice or immersed in ice/water slurry after clove oil anaesthesia. Lightness was highest in sea bass anaesthetized by 2‐phenoxyethanol or percussively stunned and lowest in ice‐chilled fish. Redness and yellowness were highest in fish chilled on ice and lowest in fish anaesthetized with clove oil. Liquid loss, fat loss and shear values were not significantly different among the procedures. In general, lipid oxidation values during refrigerated or frozen storage did not significantly differ among treatment groups. Combination of clove oil anaesthesia followed by chilling on ice/water slurry appears to improve both flesh quality and welfare of sea bass, although the implementation of further studies is warranted to consolidate this finding.     

海鲈游泳续航时间和运动代谢规律研究

为研究海鲈(Lateolabrax japonicus)的游泳续航能力和游泳过程中的物质代谢规律,以深水网箱养殖的3月龄海鲈为研究对象,采用游泳续航时间和生化指标作为评测海鲈游泳能力和代谢规律的方法进行了试验。结果显示,海鲈的游泳续航时长为200 min,其续航能力强于大黄鱼而弱于美国红鱼。在游泳过程中,海鲈血糖浓度升高,但差异性不显著(P>0.05),肌糖原随着时间的增加显著减少(P<0.05),且肌糖原浓度在海鲈疲劳时接近于0。当鱼接近100%疲劳时,其肝糖原浓度也接近于0;当海鲈以不同疲劳程度游泳时,其肌肉乳酸脱氢酶浓度会显著升高(P<0.05)。表明海鲈的续航游泳过程伴随着无氧呼吸和有氧呼吸。     

Nocturnal feeding reduces sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.) pellet-catching ability

European sea bass exhibits a feeding rhythm with seasonal phase inversions: nocturnal feeding is predominant in winter, and diurnal feeding during the rest of the year. This explains the increased growth of sea bass fed at night during the winter months, but to fully assess such feeding practices, it is important to monitor food-catching efficiency in the dark. To evaluate the influence of nocturnal feeding on pellet-capture efficiency under laboratory conditions, we developed an infrared pellet detector linked to on-line recording with a microcomputer. Feed waste was recorded for eight groups of four sea bass (54.6±15.8 g body weight) fed either diurnal or nocturnal meals with long (>60 s) or short (<20 s) feed availability times. With short feed availability times, food-catching efficiency in complete darkness (0 lx) was reduced to 78.6%, compared to 93.5% in diurnally fed fish. This was confirmed in a second experiment, performed during winter, involving 4000 sea bass in four sea cages (1000 per cage) provided with self-feeders and pellets detectors. Feed waste amounted to less than 13% of the food distributed, but nocturnal demands (29% of total feed demands) were accompanied by higher levels of uneaten pellets (68% of the total feed waste) than diurnal demand. This suggests that if the aim is to reduce feed waste, nocturnal feeding should be restricted in sea cages.