Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels

Growth, reproductive performance, muscle and egg composition were investigated in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella (Valenciennnes), fed hydrilla or formulated diets with varying protein levels. Five experimental diets, with varying levels (20%, 25%, 30%, 35% and 40%) of crude protein (CP), were used. One of the fish groups was fed hydrilla. Fish (44.1±0.3 cm; 913±9 g) were stocked (20 tank^?1) in outdoor concrete tanks (20 × 10 × 1.5 m) in duplicate, and fed to satiation, twice daily, at 09:00 and 17:00 hours for the experimental duration of 360 days. High (P<0.05) weight gain was recorded in fish fed 30% and 35% CP diets. However, values for gonadosomatic index (GSI), egg diameter, relative fecundity (eggs kg^?1 body weight), fertilizability and hatchability (%) were comparable (P>0.05) in fish at ≥25% of dietary protein intake. Hydrilla‐fed fish exhibited lower (P<0.05) values for the measured parameters. Crude protein content in muscle increased with dietary protein level. Highest (P<0.05) muscle protein was obtained in fish fed 35% CP diet. Muscle fat was comparable (P>0.05) among fish receiving formulated diets. Ash content was not significantly (P>0.05) different among fish of different dietary groups. Moisture content in fish fed formulated diets, with the exception of 20% CP diet, did not vary significantly (P>0.05). Eggs of fish fed formulated diets contained higher CP and fat contents than those of hydrilla‐fed fish. High (P<0.05) moisture content was noted in the eggs of hydrilla‐fed fish. Ctenopharyngodon idella fed formulated diet, with a minimum of 25% CP, showed better reproductive performance than those fed hydrilla.     

Heat shock protein 70 expression in different tissues of Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.) following heat stress

Members of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) are highly conserved proteins of about 70 kDa and play important roles in protein folding. Levels of these proteins increase when cells are under stress. Environmental temperature influences both the basal and induced levels of HSPs. However, studies on HSPs in fishes from a tropical country such as India are lacking. In the present study, Indian major carp (IMC) Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.) acclimatized at 25±2°C had high levels of HSP70, viz., 1.2–1.3 ng μg^?1 total protein in kidney and gill and 4.2–5.3 ng μg^?1 total protein in liver and brain tissues, indicating the presence of biochemically significant levels of stress. However, maintenance of acclimatized fish at 17°C for up to 48 h did not lead to a significant decrease in stress protein levels. A heat shock at 37°C for up to 48 h resulted in only two to threefold increase in HSP70 levels in these organs. Although the increase in HSP70 levels was apparent from the first hour of heat stress in all these tissues, the increase was significant from the second hour in the brain, the sixth hour in liver and kidney and the 20th hour in the gills.     

Nursery rearing of kalbasu, Labeo calbasu (Hamilton), at different stocking densities in outdoor concrete tanks

The growth and survival of kalbasu, Labeo calbasu, was evaluated at stocking densities of 5, 10 and 15 million spawn ha⁻¹ in nursery rearing in concrete tanks of 50 m², each for a period of 25 days. Survival of fry was density dependent and significantly higher (54.5%) at 5 million ha⁻¹ than those at 10 million ha⁻¹ (50.1%) and 15 million ha⁻¹ (46.9%). Similarly, growth and specific growth rate were inversely related to the stocking density and varied significantly among the three densities.     

Molecular phylogenetics and systematics of Trigonella L. (Fabaceae) based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and chloroplast trnL intron sequences

The genus Trigonella includes the widely cultivated T. foenum-graecum and a number of other medicinal and aromatic plant species distributed around the Mediterranean region. Sectional delimitation of Trigonella species is still based on morphology and interspecific relationships within the genus are not yet sufficiently resolved. Phylogenetic relationships in 22 species representing 11 of the 12 sections recognized within the genus Trigonella were analyzed using nuclear ITS and plastid trnL-F DNA sequences. Within nuclear ITS region, ITS-II was found to evolve faster compared to ITS-I. Maximal phylogenetic resolution and support was obtained in the combined analysis of the two selected regions. Trees resulting from maximum parsimony as well as Bayesian inference of combined data provided evidence for Trigonella being monophyletic with high support but did not agree with the traditional subgeneric division. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicated three major lineages supported by apomorphies in inflorescence and stipule. The phylogram supported the sectional delimitation of sections Cylindricae, Vérae, Samaroideae, Pectinatae, Erosae and Callicerates. There is strong support to combine monotypic sections Pectinatae and Erosae into one. However, species belonging to section Foenum-graecum and Falcatulae clustered in different subclades, contrary to their current classification. Inflorescence type appears to be a useful character with taxonomic potential for phenetic implications at subgeneric and sectional level within the genus. Moreover, some legume and seed characteristics, considered important in existing taxonomy, appear to have arisen more than once in Trigonella and are homoplastic.     

Concomitant production of lipase, protease and enterocin by Enterococcus faecium NCIM5363 and Enterococcus durans NCIM5427 isolated from fish processing waste

Enterococci are widely distributed in the environment ranging from foods to humans and are gaining industrial importance due to their technological traits. In the present study, enterococci (Enterococcus faecium NCIM5363 (EF-63) and Enterococcus durans NCIM5427 (ED-27)) which are native to fish processing waste with an ability to produce lipase, protease and enterocin concomitantly were characterised. Lipase assay was performed by titrimetry and protease activity and was estimated using haemoglobin and casein as substrates in the presence of buffers at acidic, basic and neutral pH. Furthermore, enterocin produced by the isolates was characterised. Enterocin was also checked for its stability at different pH, temperature and proteolytic enzymes. Lipase production was found to be 22 and 10 U/ml in the absence of tributryin and increased to 40 and 24 U/ml in its presence for EF-63 and ED-27, respectively, indicating that the lipase produced is substrate dependent. Protease production was confirmed by protease assay, and the protease produced showed more affinity towards the acidic substrate. Enterocin produced was stable at low pH (2 to 3) and high temperature (121°C, 15 min) and had a molecular weight of approximately 6 kDa. It exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative food-borne pathogens. Proteinase K inactivated enterocin completely, whereas trypsin did not. Novelty of this work lies in the immense industrial importance these cultures hold as they are capable of producing lipase, protease and enterocin apart from being useful in recovering proteins and lipids from fish processing wastes.     

Serodiagnosis of porcine cysticercosis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using fractionated antigens

The sensitivity and specificity of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis was evaluated in experimentally and naturally infected pigs, using T. solium larval scoleces and its fractionated 1st and 2nd peaks on Sephadex G-200 as antigens. First peak antigen gave maximum sensitivity and highest antibody titres. The overall sensitivity of this test was found to be 91.5, 95.8 and 70.8% with scolex, 1st and 2nd peak antigens, respectively. False positive reactions occurred in 9.09% of uninfected pigs with scolex and 1st peak antigens and cross-reactions occurred in 25% of Taenia hydatigena-infected animals using scolex and 2nd peak antigens. No cross-reaction was observed using 1st peak antigen. The specificity of the test was 92.3, 96.2 and 92.3% with scolex, 1st and 2nd peak antigens, respectively.