Growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings fed graded levels of dietary fumonisin B1

Fingerlings of Clarias gariepinus were used to evaluate the effect of dietary fumonisin B₁ (FB₁), a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium verticillioides, on growth, haematological and serum biochemical parameters. The fingerlings were sorted, weighed and randomly stocked in 16 plastic tanks at the rate of 20 fingerlings per tank. Fusarium-cultured maize grains containing FB₁ were used to formulate three diets containing approximately 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 mg FB₁/kg, constituting diets 2, 3, and 4 respectively. These three diets, plus diet 1, which contained non-Fusarium cultured maize grains that served as the control, were used in a 6-week feeding trial. The final weight gains by the fingerlings were significantly (P?<?0.05) influenced by FB₁. The final weights of the fingerlings fed diets 2, 3 and 4 ranged from 70.07 to 87.10% of the controls. The haematocrit, erythrocytes, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and the serum protein constituents (total protein, albumin and globulin) values significantly (P?<?0.05) decreased, while the leucocytes, MCV and MCH increased significantly (P?<?0.05) with increase in the dietary FB₁. The total serum protein values of the fingerlings fed diets 2, 3 and 4 were 34.53, 39.42 and 50.17% lower than the total serum protein values of those fed the control diet. These results indicate that Fusarium-contaminated diets containing about 5.0 mg or more FB₁/kg reduced weight gain and significantly altered haematological parameters and serum protein constituents in the fingerlings. These may have a significant impact on physiological activities and may be vital in immunosuppression in the fingerlings with a strong negative impact on subsequent performance of the fish.     

Improvement of nutritive value of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) seed meal in the formulated diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) fingerlings after fermentation with a fish gut bacterium

Eight isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (4.0 kcalg(-1) approximately) diets were formulated incorporating raw and fermented grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) seed meal at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% levels by weight into a fish meal based diet and fed to rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings for 80 days and fish performance was studied. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from the intestine of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in the wild having significant amylolytic, cellulolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic activities were used for fermentation of seed meal for 15 days at 37 degrees C. Fermentation of grass pea seed meal was effective in significantly reducing the crude fibre content and anti-nutritional factors, such as tannins, phytic acid and the neurotoxin, beta-ODAP and enhancing the available free amino acids and fatty acids. In terms of growth response, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, 30% fermented grass pea seed meal incorporated diet resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) better performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of fish fed diets containing fermented seed meal were superior to those fed diets containing raw seed meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) values decreased with increasing levels of raw seed meal in the diets. The APD for raw seed meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented seed meals. The highest deposition of carcass protein was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 40% fermented seed meal. The results indicated that fermented grass pea seed meal can be incorporated in carp diets up to 30% level compared to 10% level of raw seed meal.     

不同人工饲料对刀鲚幼鱼生长、血清生化指标及脂质代谢酶活性的影响

试验选择体长、体质量基本一致的6月龄刀鲚,分别投喂日粮1(人工配合软颗粒饲料)、日粮2(人工配合饲料与鱼油混合的软颗粒饲料)及日粮3(人工配合缓沉硬颗粒料)3种配合饲料60 d,探讨不同人工饲料对刀鲚幼鱼生长性能、血清生化指标及脂质代谢酶活性的影响.结果表明: 日粮2组和日粮3组的幼鱼体质量、体质量增长率、特定生长率和肥满度显著高于日粮1组;日粮3组的饵料系数显著低于日粮1组和日粮2组;各组间体长、体长/体高、体长/体厚、肝体比及脏体比等生长指标及总蛋白、白蛋白、血糖、胆固醇和甘油三酯等血清生化指标均无显著差异;日粮1组的肉碱软脂酰基转移酶-Ⅰ(CPT-Ⅰ)含量显著高于日粮2组和日粮3组;日粮2组的肉碱软脂酰基转移酶-Ⅱ(CPT-Ⅱ)含量显著低于日粮1组和日粮3组;各组间淀粉酶、胃蛋白酶、脂肪酶活性及脂蛋白脂酶(LPL)和乙酰辅酶A羧化酶(ACC)含量均值无显著差异.表明日粮中添加多不饱和脂肪酸有利于刀鲚幼鱼的生长,缓沉饲料的利用效率最高,适合于刀鲚幼鱼驯养阶段使用.     

Evaluation of Hydrodictyon reticulatum as protein source in feeds for Oreochromis (Tilapia) niloticus and Tilapia zillii

The green filamentous alga Hydrodictyon reticulatum was evaluated as a protein source in fish-meal substituted diets for Oreochromis niloticus and Tilapia zillii fingerlings. The fingerlings were fed in duplicate groups each of six different diets for 50 days. Five of the diets contained 30% crude protein supplied by varying proportions of fish meal and H. reticulatum meal. The five diets were formulated to supply fishmeal protein: H. reticulatum meal protein ratios of 30:0 (diet 1), 15:5 (diet 2), 20:10 (diet 3); 15:15 (diet 4), 10:20 (diet 5) respectively. A sixth diet containing only 25% crude protein supplied entirely by H. reticulatum meal was also fed. The best growth and protein utilization was obtained at lower levels of H. reticulatum substitution for both species of fish. Carcass analysis revealed a decrease in lipid contents of the fishes with increasing levels of the alga in the diet.     

Nutritional evaluation of fermented black gram (Phaseolus mungo) seed meal in compound diets for rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings

Six isonitrogenous (approximately 35% crude protein) and isocaloric (approximately 4.0 kcal g⁻¹) diets were formulated incorporating raw and fermented black gram, Phaseolus mungo, seed meal at 20%, 30% and 40% levels by weight into a fishmeal‐based control diet fed to rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings (mean weight, 1.81 ± 0.21 g) for 80 days for a study of fish performance. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from the intestine of adult common carp (Cyprinus carpio) reared in the wild having significant amylolytic, cellulolytic, lipolytic and proteolytic activities was used for fermentation of seed meal for 15 days at 37 ± 2°C. Fermentation of P. mungo seed meal was effective in significantly reducing the crude fibre content and antinutritional factors such as tannins and phytic acid, and enhancing available free amino acids and fatty acids. In terms of growth, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, the 30% fermented black gram seed meal incorporated diet resulted in a significantly (P < 0.05) better performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of diets containing fermented seed meal were superior to diets containing raw seed meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) values decreased with increasing levels of raw seed meal in the diets. The APD for raw seed meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented seed meals. The maximum deposition of protein in the carcass was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 40% fermented seed meal. The results indicate that fermented black gram seed meal can be incorporated in carp diets up to the 30% level compared to the 10% level of raw seed meal.     

Effect of feeding different protein to energy (P/E) ratios on the growth performance and body composition of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings

This study evaluated the growth performance and body composition of Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings (average initial weight 16.53 ± 0.44 g) fed 9 experimental diets (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I) containing three different levels of protein (26, 31 and 36 g 100 g^?1) at three different gross energy (GE) levels (16, 19 and 22 MJ kg^?1) for a period of 64 days. Significant differences were observed in the feed consumption, body weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), condition factor (k), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein retention (NPR) and apparent net energy retention (ANER) values of fish when the energy level of diet was increased at different protein levels. The maximum weight gain, SGR and k were observed on diet F containing 36% protein and an energy level of 19 MJ kg^?1 of dry feed with a protein to energy (P/E) ratio of 18.96 (g protein MJ^?1 GE). A further increase in the energy content of the diet (22 MJ kg^?1) at the same protein level (Diet I) did not produce any improvement in the growth performance. Lowering the energy level at the same protein level significantly affected the growth performance. Fish fed diet B containing 31% protein and a lower energy level of 16 MJ kg^?1 with the same P/E ratio of 18.61 as diet F showed significantly lower weight gain and growth performance than diet F. Diets E and H containing 31% crude protein at all three energy levels produced similar results as diet B. The poorest FCR was observed when the diet contained both lower levels of protein and energy. Fish fed diet G, containing 26% protein at high energy level (22 MJ kg^?1), showed the best PER and NPR values. The PER and NPR were the poorest on diet C containing 36% protein at low energy level (16 MJ kg^?1). The body moisture content at all protein levels decreased (P < 0.05) with the increasing level of dietary energy whereas the body fat content increased (P < 0.05). Similar trends were observed in the body ash and energy content. Increasing the dietary energy content at lower protein levels did not show any difference (P > 0.05) in body protein content. Our results indicated the optimum P/E ratio for O. niloticus as 18.96 g protein per mega joule of gross energy at 36% dietary protein level and a dietary gross energy value of 19 MJ kg^?1.     

Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf dietary effects on the immunity response and disease resistance of Asian seabass,Lates calcarifer challenged with Vibrio harveyi

The present study was aimed to address the possible evaluation of Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf-supplemented diets on innate immune response in Asian seabass, Lates calcarifer fingerlings against Vibrio harveyi infection. Fish were fed for two weeks diets containing six graded levels of neem leaf at 0 g, 1 g, 2 g, 3 g, 4 g and 5 g per kg feed. Fish fed neem leaf-supplemented diet displayed significant differences (p < 0.05) in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group fed without neem leaf-supplemented diet. Various innate immune parameters were examined pre-challenge and post-challenge. Fish was injected intraperitoneally with a lethal dose of V. harveyi containing 10⁸ cells mL^?1. Supplementation of neem leaf diet significantly increased phagocytic activity, superoxide anion production, serum lysozyme, serum bactericidal activity, serum anti-protease activity throughout the experimental period when compared with the control group. Dietary doses of neem leaf diet significantly influenced the immune parameters, haematological parameters and blood biochemical indices of treated fish. The results suggested that fish fed neem leaf-supplemented diet improved the immune system and increased survival rate in L. calcarifer fingerlings against V. harveyi infection.     

Dietary administration of nucleotides to enhance growth, humoral immune responses, and disease resistance of the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings

A feeding study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary nucleotides (NT) on growth performance, immune responses and resistance of rainbow trout fingerlings to Streptococcus iniae. A basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 g NT kg(-1) to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish with initial average weight of approximately 23 g. After 8 weeks of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 1.5-2 g NT kg(-1) had the highest final weight and SGR, followed by groups fed the diets with 0.5-1 g NT kg(-1), and lowest in fish fed the NT-free control diet. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was better when the fish were fed diet with 2 g NT kg(-1). The ACH(50) level and lysozyme activity in serum were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) greater in fish fed nucleotides at 1.5-2 g kg(-1). The fish fed with 2 g NT kg(-1) had higher IgM level. The challenge experiment showed that relative percent survival (RPS) increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of nucleotides from 0.5 to 2 g kg(-1) and was lowest in the control group. We therefore recommend dietary nucleotide administration at 1.5-2 g kg(-1) to promote growth and enhance immunity and resistance against S. iniae.     

Growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) fed with diets containing graded levels of green algae ulva meal (Ulva rigida) reared in geothermal waters of southern Tunisia

The use of green algae ulva meal (UM) (Ulva rigida) was evaluated as a replacement for soybean meal in a practical diet formulated to contain 28% crude protein, 7.50% lipid and 15 kJ gross energy g^?1. Soybean meal was replaced by 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of UM (diets U₀, U₁, U₂ and U₃, respectively). The feeding experiment was carried out in an open circulation system. Each diet treatment was applied to triplicate groups of 30 fish (21.37 ± 0.193 g average wet weight) per tank (400 L) arranged in a completely randomized design. The fish were hand fed to satiation four times daily between 07.00 and 18.00 hours for 75 days. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in growth performance among fish fed with diets U₀, U₁ and U₂. However, fish fed diet U₃ had significantly lower growth (P < 0.05) than those fed diets U₀, U₁ and U₂. Fish fed the control diet (U₀) and diets including 10% and 20% UM had significantly (P < 0.05) better daily weight gain, relative growth weight, specific growth weight and protein efficiencies ratio than those fed with diet U₃. Feed conversion ratio increased with increasing UM content, but only the value found in fish fed with diet U₃ differed significantly (P < 0.05) from all other treatments. Survival rates ranged between 91.11% and 93.33%. No feed‐related mortality was observed during the entire experimental period. Apparent protein digestibility (APD) of diets ranged from 87.06 to 69.91% and was lowest for fish fed with diet U₃. In general, APD values decreased with increasing inclusion levels of UM, explained by the increase of anti‐nutritional factors and high non‐digestible fibre content. Compared to the control diet (U₀), fish fed diets containing high levels of UM had lower levels of carcass lipid and higher levels of carcass moisture. Results show that this product can be included by up to 20% in practical male Nile tilapia diets with no detrimental effects.     

Utilization of copra meal in the formulation of compound diets for rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings

Six isonitrogenous (35% crude protein) experimental diets were formulated with raw and soaked de-oiled copra meal substituted for fish meal in the diet at 20, 30 and 40% levels by weight. The tannin content of raw de-oiled copra meal was reduced from 2.4 to 0.9% by soaking it in water for 16 h at room temperature. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings fed these diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a fish meal-based control diet. On the basis of growth response, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, the 30% soaked copra meal diet resulted in the best fish performance (P < 0.01). The growth response of the fish was significantly (P < 0.01) affected by both type and inclusion level of the oilseed meal. The growth of fish declined with the increasing level of inclusion of copra meal, irrespective of the type of meal used. The apparent protein digestibilities (APDs) for the raw copra meal were lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison with those for the soaked meals. The highest amount of carcass protein was recorded in the fish fed the diet containing 30% soaked copra meal. The results showed that de-oiled copra meal can be incorporated into carp diets up to 20% in the raw condition and up to 30% in the treated condition without any deleterious effects on growth performance of Labeo rohita fingerlings.     

Effects of amino acid supplementation on the nutritive quality of fermented linseed meal protein in the diets for rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings

A feeding trial was conducted for 8 weeks to examine the effects of partial substitution of fish meal (FM) protein (crude protein content: 58.5%) with linseed meal protein with and without supplemental amino acids in diets for rohu Labeo rohita (Hamilton), fingerlings (mean weight: 1.50 ± 0.3 g). Prior to incorporation into the diets, linseed meal was fermented with lactic acid bacteria ( Lactobacillus acidophilus ) to reduce/eliminate the antinutritional tannin and phytic acid factors. Twelve experimental diets (diets D1–D12) were formulated to replace the FM protein from a reference diet (RD) with linseed meal protein at different levels (four sets of diets, of which each set of three diets contained 25%, 50% and 75% replacement of FM protein by linseed meal protein, respectively). Diets D1–D3 were not supplemented with any amino acid. Lysine was supplemented in diets D4–D6. Diets D7–D9 were supplemented with methionine + cystine (together), and diets D10–D12 contained lysine and methionine + cystine (together). Lysine and methionine + cystine (together) were added to the diets at 5.7% and 3.1% of dietary protein, respectively. The groups of fish fed diets without amino acid supplementation had significantly lower percentages of weight gain, specific growth rate and high feed : gain ratio than the fish groups fed other experimental diets. The addition of lysine and methionine + cystine to the diet in which 50% of the FM protein was replaced by linseed meal protein (diet D11) significantly improved fish performance. The results of the present study suggest that rohu fingerlings can effectively utilize the supplemented amino acids and that linseed meal protein can replace up to 50% of the FM protein in rohu diets if the linseed meal is properly processed (fermented) and supplemented with the lacking amino acids.     

黄颡鱼饲料中添加谷胱甘肽降低藻毒素毒性作用的研究

通过60d的生长实验研究饲料中不同含量的谷胱甘肽(GSH)对黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus fulvidraco Richardson)摄食含蓝藻粉饲料后的毒性保护作用。共配制6种近似等氮等能(粗蛋白45%,总能19.5kJ/g)的实验饲料。以不添加蓝藻粉、不添加GSH的饲料组作为正对照,其他5种饲料均添加7.5%的藻粉,微囊藻毒素(Microc ystins,MCs)含量约为58μg/g,GSH添加量分别为:0(负对照)、200、500、800和1400mg/kg。实验结果表明,第1至第30天时,负对照组与正对照组实验鱼的摄食率无显著性差异(P>0.05)。第31至第60天时,负对照组实验鱼的摄食率显著高于正对照和其他GSH添加组(P0.05),但各GSH添加组肾脏中GSH显著低于正对照而高于负对照(P<0.05)。200、500和800mg/kg GSH添加组肝脏和肌肉中丙二醛(MDA)含量显著低于负对照(P<0.05)。在整个实验期间,随着饲料中GSH含量的增加,肝脏、肾脏、全肠和肌肉中微囊藻毒素含量先显著下降,当GSH添加量为500和800mg/kg时达到稳定,直至GSH添加量为1400mg/kg时显著上升。根据对黄颡鱼增重,肝脏和肌肉中MDA的含量以及组织中毒素的分析,在饲料中添加500-800mg/kg GSH可以有效缓解黄颡鱼饲料中微囊藻毒素的毒性。       

Evaluation of Nutritive Value of Raw and Fermented De-oiled Physic Nut, Jatropha curcas Seed Meal in the Formulated Diets for Rohu, Labeo rohita (Hamilton) Fingerlings

Rohu (Labeo rohita) fingerlings, were fed de-oiled Jatropha curcas seed meal (DJSM) supplemented diets for 60 days and the effectiveness, if any, on the growth was evaluated. Nine isonitrogenous (35 % crude protein) and isocaloric (4.0 kcal g^?1) diets were formulated of which one was reference diet (RD, fishmeal based control diet) and the other eight were experimental diets prepared by incorporating raw (D1–D4) and fermented (D5–D8) DJSM at 10, 20, 30 and 40 % levels by weight, respectively. Autoclaved DJSM was processed through solid state fermentation (SSF) for 15 days at 37 ± 1 °C by an exo-enzyme producing bacterium, Bacillus cereus Lr.H.23 isolated from the hindgut of rohu, L. rohita. Processing through SSF caused decrease in the contents of crude fibre and anti-nutritional factors, but increase in the levels of free amino acids and free fatty acids. In terms of growth performance, feed utilization efficiency and apparent protein digestibility, fish fed diet D7 containing 30 % fermented DJSM showed the best performance, which differed significantly (P < 0.05) from that of the fish fed diets containing raw DJSM. The results indicated that an inclusion level up to 30 % fermented DJSM replacing 15 % FM in the practical diet for rohu fingerlings can be proposed when compared to the RD. However, further experiments are required to recommend the ingredient for use in industry.     

Effect of inclusion of blue-green algae meal on growth and accumulation of microcystins in gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio)

Six isonitrogenous (crude protein content: 38%) and isoenergetic (gross energy content: 17 kJ g^?1) diets were formulated to investigate the effects of inclusion of blue‐green algae meal on gibel carp (Carassius auratus gibelio). In each diet, 15% of the protein was supplied by fishmeal; the remainder was supplied by soybean meal and blue‐green algae meal. Diet 1 was used as control with no blue‐green algae meal whereas the content in diets 2–6 was 15.15, 29.79, 44.69, 59.58 and 74.48%, respectively. Each diet was fed to five groups of gibel carp for 12 weeks in a flow‐through system. Final body weight and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed diet 5 were significantly lower than the control diet (P < 0.05). Mortality of gibel carp increased with increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between fish fed diets 3–6 (P > 0.05). Feed conversion efficiency (FCE) decreased with the increase in algae meal inclusion (P < 0.05). Fish‐fed diet 6 showed the highest feeding rate (P < 0.05), while there were no significant differences among the other groups (P > 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficient of dry matter, protein, and energy decreased with increasing algae meal inclusion in the diets (P < 0.05). Aspartate aminotransferase (GOT) activity in the liver was not significantly different among groups (P > 0.05). Liver alanine aminotransferase (GPT) activity of fish‐fed diets 4, 5 and 6 was significantly lower than the control diet (diet 1; P < 0.05). Microcystins in the muscle, liver, gallbladder, and spleen increased with increasing algae inclusion (P < 0.05).     

Effect of Different Animal Protein Sources on Growth and Nutrient Utilization of Guppy, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Poecilia reticulata</Emphasis> Fingerlings

Based on the nutrient requirement of guppy, Poecilia reticulata fingerlings as reported earlier, nine experimental diets with 300 g protein, 100 g lipid and 16.72 MJ digestible energy/kg diet were formulated using snail meat (D-1), freshwater fish processing waste (D-2), surimi by-product (D-3), chicken offal (D-4), earthworm (D-5), squid (D-6), mussel (T-7), chicken liver (T-8) and lean prawn (T-9) as major protein source in addition to fish meal and peanut oil cake and fed ad libitum to the fish (0.27 ± 0.01 g) for a period of 60 days. Twenty-seven indoor circular fiber-reinforced plastic tanks (10 fish/tank) with 40 L of water were used for rearing the fish. At the end of the experiment, it was found that the guppy fed surumi by-product, squid, mussel and lean prawn meal diets had significantly higher (p < 0.05) weight gain, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio and lowest (p < 0.05) food conversion ratio than the snail, freshwater fish processing waste, chicken offal, earthworm and chicken liver meal diets and therefore, these four could be used as dietary protein source in formulating the diets for guppy. However, to formulate the cost-effective diets for guppy fingerlings, the use surimi by-product is suggested as it is being discarded as waste material and therefore, available free of cost.     

Effects of dietary pyridoxine on immune responses in abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary pyridoxine (PN) on the immune responses of abalone, Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Purified diets supplemented with 0, 40, 800 mg PN kg(-1) or 80 mg kg(-1) of 4-deoxypyridoxine (PN antagonist) were fed to adult abalone (initial weight 45.77 +/- 0.25 g; initial shell length 68.02 +/- 0.78 mm) for 90 days. The air-dried brown kelp, Laminaria japonica, was used as a control diet. Each diet was fed to three replicate groups of abalone in a recirculation system using a completely randomised design. The results showed that weight gain ratio (WGR) of the abalone generally increased with the level of dietary PN supplementation though no significant differences were found among the treatments (P > 0.05). Phagocytic and phenoloxidase activities were significantly higher in abalone fed diets supplemented with 800 mg PN kg(-1) than those fed the PN-free diet or the one with 4-deoxypyridoxine (P < 0.05). Agglutination titre and respiratory burst activity were significantly higher in abalone fed diets supplemented with 40 mg PN kg(-1) than those fed the PN-free diet or the one with 4-deoxypyridoxine (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in immunological characteristics between the abalone fed the diet containing 40 mg PN kg(-1) and those fed the diet containing 800 mg PN kg(-1) (P > 0.05). L. japonica resulted in significantly lower agglutination titre, respiratory burst and phagocytic activities than the artificial diets supplemented with 40 or 800 mg PN kg(-1) (P < 0.05). Total haemocyte count (THC), serum protein concentration, and the activities of lysozyme and acid phosphatase were not significantly affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). These results demonstrate that dietary deficiency of pyridoxine suppresses the immune functions in H. discus hannai, and further investigations are needed to optimise the dietary level of this vitamin for maintaining the best immune responses in abalone.     

Duckweed (Lemna polyrhiza) leaf meal as a source of feedstuff in formulated diets for rohu (Labeo rohita Ham.) fingerlings after fermentation with a fish intestinal bacterium

Eight isonitrogenous (35% crude protein approximately) and isocaloric (4.2 kcal g(-1) approximately) diets were formulated including raw and fermented duckweed (Lemna polyrhiza) leaf meal at 10%, 20%, 30% and 40% levels. A particular bacterial strain (Bacillus sp.) isolated from carp (Cyprinus carpio) intestine and having extracellular amylolytic, cellulolytic, proteolytic and lipolytic activities was used for leaf meal fermentation for 15 days at 37 degrees C. The fibre content of leaf meal reduced from 11.0% to 7.5% and the antinutritional factors, tannin and phytic acid, were reduced from 1.0% to 0.02% and 1.23% to 0.09%, respectively after fermentation. However, the available reducing sugars, free amino acids and fatty acids increased in the fermented leaf meal. The response of rohu, Labeo rohita, fingerlings fed the experimental diets for 80 days was compared with fish fed a fish meal based reference diet. On the basis of growth response, food conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio, 30% fermented Lemna leaf meal incorporated in the diet resulted in the best performance of rohu fingerlings. In general, growth and feed utilization efficiencies of fish fed fermented leaf meal containing diets were superior to those fed diets containing raw leaf meal. The apparent protein digestibility (APD) decreased with increasing levels of leaf meal irrespective of treatment. The APD for raw leaf meal was lower at all levels of inclusion in comparison to those for the fermented meals. The highest carcass protein and lipid deposition was recorded in fish fed the diet containing 30% fermented leaf meal. The results showed that fermented Lemna leaf meal can be incorporated into carp diets up to 30% level compared to 10% level of raw meal.     

高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹摄食、生长及抗氧化酶活性的影响

以40%棉粕为主的混合蛋白源制成基础饲料, 分别在其中添加0.00%、0.14%、0.28%、0.42%、0.56%蛋氨酸(分别记为0.00%Met、0.14%Met、0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met), 配制了5种等氮等能的试验饲料, 以全鱼粉组(64.4%鱼粉)作为对照, 探讨了在高比例棉粕饲料中补充蛋氨酸对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹(0.390.02) g的摄食率、生长率和机体抗氧化酶活性的影响。结果表明: 与全鱼粉对照组相比, 0.42%Met组的增重率、特定生长率和饲料系数均无显著差异(P0.05), 但其显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.28%Met组(P0.05); 增重率和特定生长率则显著高于0.56%Met组(P0.05); 从幼蟹的摄食量和蛋白质沉积率来看, 0.42%Met和0.28%Met组的摄食量与对照组相似, 当蛋氨酸的补充量低于0.28%或高于0.42%时, 幼蟹的摄食量均有所下降; 统计表明, 对照组的蛋白质沉积率最高(23.20%), 在各试验组中, 0.28%Met和0.42%Met组之间的蛋白质沉积率无显著差异(P0.05), 但显著高于0.00%Met、0.14%Met和0.56%Met组(P0.05); 分析幼蟹的肠道胰蛋白酶活性, 发现0.42%Met组与对照组之间无显著性差异(P0.05), 但均显著高于其他各试验组(P0.05); 0.28%Met、0.42%Met和0.56%Met处理组的血清丙二醛含量、超氧化物歧化酶活性和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。结果提示, 在高比例植物蛋白(40%棉粕)的基础饲料中, 补充0.42%Met能够显著提高中华绒螯蟹幼蟹的生长率、消化率和抗氧化酶的活性。       

Use of soybean flour (dehulled, solvent-extracted soybean) as a fish meal substitute in practical diets for African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): growth, feed utilization and digestibility

Growth and digestibility trials were conducted using African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell 1822): (1) to obtain apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) values for capelin fish meal, soybean flour and corn meal; (2) to formulate diets based on ADC values of the protein feedstuffs; and (3) to evaluate the effects of replacing 25%, 50% and 75% of fish meal in control diets with soybean flour on growth, feed utilization efficiency and carcass composition. Supplemental methionine was added to the diet formulation in which soybean flour replaced 75% of the diet. Diets were formulated (400 g digestible protein kg⁻¹ and 15 kJ digestible energy g⁻¹ dry diet) and fed to catfish fingerlings (13.1 ± 0.5 g) to apparent satiation twice daily for 70 days. The protein and energy digestibilities of fish meal and soybean flour were high (>90% and >80%, respectively; P < 0.05). At 75% fish meal replacement with soybean flour (without methionine supplementation), growth and feed utilization efficiency indicators were depressed compared with other diet treatments which had a similar (P > 0.05) growth and feed utilization efficiency to those fed the control diet. The carcass compositions of catfish in all diets were similar (P > 0.05) and the liver histology of catfish fed any of the diets showed no alterations. The results obtained indicate that 50% of fish meal protein in practical catfish diets can be replaced with soybean flour and that catfish can effectively utilize supplemental methionine, thereby allowing up to 75% of the dietary fish meal protein to be replaced by soybean flour.     

Growth response of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus (B.), larvae and fingerlings fed protease‐incorporated diets

African catfish, Clarias gariepinus (B.), is one of the promising freshwater fish species in African aquaculture but the expansion of its farming needs more production of its larvae. The use of live food organisms at first feeding for larvae is still obligatory. That increases the cost of larvae production. Hence, the incorporating of exogenous enzymes especially protease in artificial microdiets may provide affordable alternatives for enhancing the larvae performance. The present study was carried out to evaluate the growth and survival of larvae or fingerlings of African catfish fed artificial diets incorporated with different protease levels. Four artificial diets were formulated and enriched with protease enzyme at levels of 0.0, 750, 1,000, and 1,250 unit/kg diet; after that diets were made into crumbles (100–200 µm diameter). After absorption of the yolk sac, diets were offered to fish larvae (3.6 ± 0.2 mg) in triplicates as a starter feed up to apparent satiation every two hours for 30 days. In another treatment, fish larvae were fed on newly hatched Artemia nauplii (2,500 Artemia/L) as a starter food. In another experiment, African catfish fingerlings (10.1 ± 1.6 g) were fed on the same diets up to satiation twice a day for 2 months. It was noticed that the dietary protease improved larval growth and survival but not as Artemia nauplii did where fish larvae fed on Artemia nauplii showed highest growth and survival followed by those fed a diet enriched with 1,250 unit/kg diet of protease. The mortality of larvae fed protease‐enriched diets as well as the control diet was occurred mostly at the first week reaching its maximum at the third week. The poor growth was observed with fish larvae fed the control diet. Meanwhile, catfish fingerlings fed protease‐enriched diets showed higher growth over those fed the control diet. The larvae survival (11.0%–41.7%) was enhanced by increasing protease levels and it was lower than that of fingerlings (95.6%–100.0%). Furthermore, protein retention and digestibility were significantly improved with protease supplementation over the control diet especially at a level of 1,000 unit/kg diet. As compared with the previous studies, live food should be used in larvae rearing for the first week after that a starter diet enriched with protease at levels of 1,250 unit/kg diet should be used. In case of fish fingerlings, the dry diets should be enriched with 1,100 unit/kg diet to improve diet digestibility and subsequently enhance their growth.