Soy protein concentrate as a substitute for fish meal in diets for juvenile Acanthopagrus schlegelii: effects on growth,phosphorus discharge and digestive enzyme activity

The current high demand and cost of fish meal (FM) necessities the evaluation of alternative plant protein ingredients in diets of farmed marine fish. A 56‐day feeding trial was performed to study the effects of replacement of FM with soy protein concentrate (SPC) in diets of Acanthopagrus schlegelii. Diets were prepared at levels of 0%, 30%, 47.5%, 65%, 82.5% and 100% SPC, respectively, replacing FM. The results indicated no significant differences (p > .05) in % weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate of fish fed S30% to S82.5% diets compared with the control diet while, further inclusion at 100% significantly depressed growth performance. SPC inclusion and phytase supplementation significantly affected the phosphorous discharge (P‐load) showing lowest value (3.83 ± 0.53 g/kg WG) in S100% compared to control (14.79 ± 0.37 g/kg WG) and in fish fed S30% diet (13.24 ± 0.89 g/kg WG) (p < .05). The results of this study showed that FM could be substituted up to 82.5% by SPC in the diet of Acanthopagrus schlegelii fingerlings (5.53 ± 0.12 g) without any adverse effects. Phytase supplementation SPC based diets could be effective in reducing the phosphorus load in the aquatic culture environment.     

Extractive components and taste aspects of fermented fish pastes and bean pastes prepared using different koji molds as starters

We have evaluated four commercially available mold starters (SP-01, NY, M1, and “for kome miso”) for fermented fish pastes with the aim of determining the effect of different koji molds on the nutritional and sensory characteristics of the fermented product. Comparative studies among different fermented fish and bean pastes were also conducted. Protein contents were considerably higher in the fermented fish pastes (22.7–24.1%) than the fermented bean pastes (8.2–12.8%). Free amino acids, oligopeptides, organic acids, mineral content, and sensory scores of the fermented fish pastes were superior to those of the bean pastes in terms of nutritional aspects. Sensory evaluation of fermented fish and bean pastes clearly indicated that different koji molds used as starters had little effect on the taste of the fermented fish pastes. However, in terms of nutritional and sensory characteristics, fermented fish pastes from trash fishes were found to be both commercially valuable and a potential gain to food processing firms among the many new generic fermented food products becoming available.     

Taurine alone or in combination with fish protein hydrolysate affects growth performance,taurine transport and metabolism in juvenile turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.)

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of taurine (Tau) alone or in combination with fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) on growth performance, the expression of Tau transporter (TauT) and metabolic profile in juvenile turbot. FM, FPH0, FPH0+T, FPH10 and FPH10+T diets, respectively, contained 300, 150, 150, 80, and 80 g/kg fishmeal. FPH10 and FPH10+T diets contained 62 g/kg FPH. FPH0+T and FPH10+T diets were, respectively, prepared by supplementing the FPH0 and FPH10 diet formulations with 8 g/kg Tau. Specific growth rate was the highest in FM group and the lowest in FPH10 group. TauT mRNA levels in fish fed Tau supplemented diets were significantly lower than that in Tau unsupplemented diets. NMR‐based metabolomics analysis showed that Tau contents in liver of FPH0+T and FPH10+T were significantly higher than that of FM, FPH0 and FPH10. In muscle, Tau contents were significantly decreased in the FPH10+T versus FPH0 and the FPH10+T versus FPH10 comparisons. In conclusion, 62 g/kg FPH to replace fishmeal may not affect Tau synthesis, transport and metabolism. However, Tau supplemented alone or in combination with a certain level of FPH could reduce the requirement for Tau synthesis and transport and increased Tau levels in muscle and liver.     

Using genetic methods for analysis of fish meals and feeds employed in Greek mariculture

Large quantities of high protein fish meals are needed to sustain cultured species and thus the impact to marine ecosystem has been highly discussed. The aim of this study was to apply a PCR‐cloning methodology for a robust insight into the composition of commercial fish meals and feeds for farmed species of the Greek mariculture, assessing the risk posed by aquaculture to marine ecosystems but also the risk posed by commercial fish feeds to the increase in trophic level of species farmed in Greece. 89% of the sequences were identified to species level and only 11% to genus/family level. Overall, a total of 49 taxa were identified (44 fish species/taxon, five non‐fish species/taxon). Even though small pelagic fish like Engraulis sp. were the main portion, a wide range of species constituted the fish meals and feeds. Plant and animal species were also detected as an alternative protein source. Feed products employed in Greek mariculture still contain large portions of fish meals which increase the mean trophic level of farmed species causing a farming up trend. The results emphasize that such molecular methodologies are needed to certify aquafeeds allowing fish feed producers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable aquaculture.     

珠江河口重金属镉的含量与分布的季节特征

对珠江河口水体、沉积物和生物体中重金属镉(Cd)的含量与分布进行调查研究,结果表明,水体中Cd含量范围在0.022～0.047 1 mg/L,并且Cd含量在时间上由高到低依次为:2月、5月、11月、8月,2月Cd含量显著高于5月、8月和11月(P＜0.05).以海水水质标准衡量,珠江河口水体2008年中大部分时间为海水二类水质.沉积物中Cd含量范围在5.062～9.239 mg/kg,平均含量为6.974 me/kg,并且沉积物中Cd含量均超过海洋沉积物3类标准.与国内外河口比较,珠江河口沉积物中Cd含量处在较高水平,污染比较严重,并且有逐年升高的趋势.生物体中Cd含量范围在0.144～0.430 mg/kg,鱼类Cd含量均超过国家水产品卫生标准,并且肉食性鱼类Cd含量略高于杂食性鱼类,但差异不显著(P＞0.05).与往年调查进行比较发现,珠江河口鱼类Cd含量2000年较1988年有大幅增加,并且2000年以后增加也比较明显.     

基于水声技术的黄海近海鱼类活动定点监测研究

为了研究黄海近海鱼类活动规律,采用自主研制的科研型鱼探仪于2015年11月22日至12月5日对调查海域的鱼类活动进行了首次声学调查,统计分析鱼类活动规律。在调查海域布放4套鱼探仪设备对鱼类进行定点长时间监测,并将采集到的鱼类回波数据利用水声技术进行分析和处理,得到调查海域单体鱼类目标强度在垂直方向上的分布、鱼类目标强度大小的分布以及鱼类在不同水层和不同时间段的活动情况。结果显示,调查海域冬季鱼类主要活动在4~10 m的中上水层,鱼类分布随着水层深度的逐步增加而急剧减少;从9∶00至13∶00鱼类活动频度呈增大趋势,并在13∶00至14∶00频度达到顶峰(约为38%),随后频度减弱;统计得到该海域鱼类目标强度主要以-49~-40 d B占比最高,目标强度大于-40 d B的鱼类均匀分布在整个水层,目标强度小于-40 d B的鱼类主要分布在4~10 m浅水层。研究表明,采用水声技术能够实现对鱼类活动的监测;调查海域的鱼类目标强度分布比较集中,鱼类在深度上的分布主要集中于中上水层,鱼类在不同时间段的活动情况随水温变化而变化,温度升高鱼类活动频度增加,反之则降低。由此可知,该海域鱼类的种类以暖水物种为主。     

Are cell redox or lactate dehydrogenase kinetics responsible for the absence of gluconeogenesis from lactate in sea raven,hepatocytes?

Previous studies have reported very low rates of gluconeogenesis from lactate in sea raven (Hemitripterus americanus) hepatocytes compared to other teleosts studied. This study examines whether hepatic cell redox or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) characteristics may explain this observation. Sea raven hepatic optimal LDH activities (pyruvate reductase direction) were more than 40 times less compared with rainbow trout liver values (40 vs 1914 μmol·min⁻¹·g⁻¹ protein). The Km(lactate) was 9.24 and 0.86 mM for sea raven and trout hepatic LDH, but the Km(pyruvate) was similar between the two species (0.11 and 0.21 mM, respectively). These results suggested that sea raven liver LDH did not favour lactate use and was more indicative of the mammalian M-isozyme. Gel electrophoresis showed a predominant intermediate isozyme, with a small amount of the M-type LDH. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) was localized to the mitochondrial compartment, while there was no apparent mitochondrial glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity. No in vitro lactate flux to glucose was found in untreated, 10 mM ethanol-treated, or 3 mM NH₄Cl-treated sea raven hepatocytes, although CO₂ production from lactate was decreased by ethanol and increased by NH₄Cl. These results provide evidence that cell redox does not limit gluconeogenesis from lactate, while low activities and the kinetic characteristics of LDH may partially explain the low lactate gluconeogenesis reported in sea raven hepatocytes. To whom correspondence should be addressed at University of Ottawa.     

Maturation of the pancreatic and intestinal digestive functions in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): effect of weaning with different protein sources

The maturation of the digestive functions in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) larvae was evaluated by the enzymatic profile of pancreas and intestine brush border membranes. Sea bass larvae were weaned at day 25 with three simplified diets different by their protein nature: 100% fish meal (FP), 100% casein mixture (CP) and 50% fish meal-50% casein mixture (CFP). The casein mixture contained 35% of hydrolysate. The control group was fed live preys. The specific activity of amylase decreased with age irrespectively of the diets whereas the specific activity of trypsin was enhanced. The casein mixture reduced pancreatic secretion in amylase and trypsin. The CFP group differed from the other groups fed on compound diets, exhibiting as soon as day 32 high activities of brush border enzymes, similar to controls. This sharp increase between day 25 and 32 appeared to be crucial for larval survival. The addition of a protein hydrolysate in a weaning diet seems to facilitate this maturation process.     

Molecular evidence for the lack of transmission of the monogenean Sparicotyle chrysophrii (Monogenea, Polyopisthocotylea) and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides (Crustacea, Cymothoidae) between wild bogue (Boops boops) and cage-reared sea bream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

In the Mediterranean area, wild fish have often been suggested as either the reservoirs of the causative agents or at least the carriers of the pathogens responsible for disease outbreaks in cultured fish. However, no epidemiological investigations on actual pathogen/disease interactions between farmed and wild fish have been conducted even for the most important fish pathogens. Only sporadic isolations and identifications of various pathogens in wild fish have been done and real associations with the pathological conditions that exist within the farm environment and vice versa have not been established. Monogenean ectoparasite Sparicotyle chrysophrii and isopod Ceratothoa oestroides are commonly found in the Mediterranean cage-reared sea bream and sea bass and in the surrounding wild fish population. Both species were recognized as pathogens that seasonally inflict serious losses in fingerlings and juveniles of sea bream and sea bass, being potentially propagated and exchanged during wild and caged fish interaction. In order to evaluate the degree of pathogens transfer between wild and farmed fish, we investigated genetic population structures of these two important parasitic pathogens inferred by mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I locus. Parasites isolated from wild and farmed fish on the two most productive Adriatic fish farms showed genetic heterogeneity, contradicting widely accepted hypothesis of cross-contamination, at least in case of S. chrysophrii and C. oestroides. As far as we know, this is the first report that in a study of pathogen transfer molecular evidence was employed to asses the genetic population structure of shared parasites.