Effect of feeding pineapple waste on growth performance,texture quality and flesh colour of nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings

The study aims to evaluate the effects of pineapples waste on the growth, texture quality and flesh colour of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with four different levels of pineapple waste diets throughout 56 days, which contain a control group (Diet 1) and experimental diets that formulated with 10% (Diet 2), 20% (Diet 3) and 30% (Diet 4) of pineapple waste. The experimental diet was formulated with rice bran, fish meal, soybean meal, vitamin and mineral premix, vegetable oil and binder to attain 32% dietary protein. The results revealed that the formulated fish diet with pineapple waste given the optimum weight gain, weight gain percentage, specific growth rate than the control group, where Diet 4 has shown the highest value (p < 0.05). There were no effects of the pineapple waste diet on the texture quality of the fillet, while only red chromaticity (a*) showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of pineapple waste can improve the growth rate of Nile tilapia, and the supplementation level of the pineapple waste in the diet was 30% of the total feed formulation.     

Growth performance and body composition in response to dietary protein and lipid levels in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758) subjected to normal and temporally restricted feeding regimes

A factorial experiment was designed to examine the effect on compensatory growth (CG) of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fed diets containing different protein and lipid levels under normal and temporally restricted feeding regimes. Four diets were formulated to contain either 30% or 36% crude protein, and 5% or 11% crude lipid. Triplicate replicates of each treatment were assigned to 24 150‐L tanks (20 fish/tank density). Fish (mean initial weight ± SD = 8.79 ± 0.34 g) were then fed either the normal feeding regime (thrice daily to apparent satiation) or the restricted regime (1 day feed deprivation followed by 3 days of feeding to apparent satiation) over a 44‐days study period. Fish receiving a diet under the restricted regime achieved weight gains (WG) comparable to fish consuming the diet containing 30% protein and 5% lipids under the normal feeding regime. Fish maintained on the restricted feeding regime exhibited reduced feed intake (FI), WG, feed efficiency ratio (FE), protein efficiency rate (PER) and hepatosomatic index versus fish on the normal feeding regime, except WG in fish fed the diet with 30% protein and 5% lipids. However, the resultant FI (85%~94%) was higher than the excepted 75% intake when fish were subjected to the restricted regime. Feeding 11% lipid diets led to improved FI, WG, FE, and PER compared to feeding the 5% lipid diets. Increased FI, WG, and FE, but reduced PER were observed in fish fed with 36% protein versus fish fed 30% protein. Fish receiving the 36% protein diets had lower whole‐body moisture and ash contents, but elevated whole‐body protein and lipid contents compared to those receiving the 30% protein diets. Whole‐body moisture contents were lower, but whole‐body protein, lipid and ash contents were higher in fish fed 11% lipid diets than in fish fed 5% lipid diets. There was an increase in whole‐body moisture content, but a decrease in protein and lipid content in response to the restricted feeding regime. Ash content was not affected by the feeding regime. The present study shows that Nile tilapia fed diets subjected to a restricted feeding regime exhibited growth comparable to those fed the diet at 30% protein and 5% lipid levels under a normal feeding regime. This positive effect was more pronounced in diets at a high protein level or in a combination of high protein and lipid levels.     

Effect of sublethal concentrations of copper on the growth performance of Oreochromis niloticus

The study evaluated the effect of different sublethal concentrations of copper in water (0, 0.15, 0.3 and 0.5 p.p.m.) on the behavioural response, growth performance, and whole body and liver composition of Oreochromis niloticus. Hyperactivity and reduced exploratory behaviour were observed when fishes were subjected to different levels of copper in water as compared with the control. Fish refused to accept the feed immediately after exposure and only began taking it up after about 4–5 h as compared with the control. Weight gain, specific growth rate and condition factor (k) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as compared with the control; this decrease was linearly correlated with the increase of copper concentration in water. Exposure of the fish to different copper concentrations in water significantly (P < 0.05) reduced their feed consumption as compared with the control. Values for the feed conversion ratio increased (P < 0.05) whereas the protein efficiency ratio and net protein retention values decreased (P < 0.05) with the copper level increase in water. The hepatosomatic index increased with the copper concentration increase in water. Body moisture and ash contents were the highest (P < 0.05) whereas the fat and gross energy contents were the lowest (P < 0.05) in fish reared in water containing 0.5 p.p.m. of copper as compared with others. No significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in the whole body crude protein content of fish exposed to different concentrations of copper as compared with the control. Liver moisture and ash contents increased (P < 0.05) whereas the crude protein, fat, nitrogen free extract and gross energy contents decreased (P < 0.05) when the fish were exposed to different concentrations of copper as compared with the control. The liver glycogen level decreased whereas the copper level in the whole body and liver increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the copper concentration increase in water.     

Effect of liquid feeding at different water-to-feed ratios on the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs

The study examined the growth performance of pigs offered liquid feed or dry feed on either a restricted or an ad libitum basis, and whether their growth performance was further influenced by the water-to-feed ratio. The study was split into two parts to enable unrestricted (trial 1; n = 64) and restricted (trial 2; n = 48) feeding to be compared. Male pigs were randomly allocated to six dietary treatment groups. A standard dry pellets diet (D) was offered either as: (i) unrestricted ration (UR); (ii) restricted ration (R); or D soaked in water at a feed-to-water ratio of (iii) 1 : 1.5 restricted (1 : 1.5 R); (iv) 1 : 3 unrestricted (1 : 3 UR); (v) 1 : 3 restricted (1 : 3 R); or (vi) 1 : 3 restricted with the addition of lactic acid to adjust the feed to pH 4 (1 : 3(4) R). Liquid feeding improved (P < 0.05) average daily live-weight gain (ADG) and lean tissue growth rate (LTGR) in the 1 : 3 UR compared with DUR but did not alter feed conversion ratio (FCR). Within the R groups, ADG were greater in all of the 1 : 3 diets, whereas feed intake, and hence FCR, was lower (P < 0.001) in these groups when offered the R ration. In conclusion, liquid feeding has a beneficial influence on the performance of modern porcine genotypes during the growth/finishing phase and this is further modulated by the water-to-feed ratio.     

Protein and energy needs for maintenance and growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

A trial was undertaken with juvenile Nile tilapia fed graded levels of dietary protein (0–35% DP) over 7 weeks (28°C). Measurements of nitrogen and energy utilization were made using data on ADC, comparative carcass analyses, nitrogen excretion and oxygen uptake. Data indicate that the daily protein intake for maximum N gain was c. 12 g/kg/d and the maintenance protein requirements were about of 2g/kg/d. The optimal DP/DE ratio was found to be 18mg/kJ. Differences were observed in the data on endogenous nitrogen and energy utilization depending on the dietary treatments as well as on the criteria used.     

酸碱胁迫对不同体质量尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼能量代谢的影响

利用6×3析因试验设计,设置6组pH(5.0、6.0、7.0、8.0、9.0和10.0)和3组体质量(1.02、5.13和10.31 9),在试验室条件下研究了酸碱胁迫对不同体质量尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的呼吸、排泄、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)和Na+-K+ATPase活力的影响.结果表明:尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率随pH值的升高先上升后下降,在pH7.0～8.0时达到最高值.耗氧量与排氨量随体质量的增加而增加并呈幂函数相关.体质量的一次和pH的一次、二次效应对尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的耗氧率和排氨率有极显著的影响(P＜0.0l);体质量与pH之间无互作效应(P＞0.05);建立了pH与体质量对耗氧率、排氨率之间的回归方程,决定系数分别达到0.942和0.936;体质量对氧氮比(O:N)值有显著影响(P＜0.01),酸碱胁迫使尼罗罗非鱼幼鱼的能源物质利用模式发生改变.高pH条件不利于LDH活力的增加,但有利于Na+-K+ ATPase活力的上升,pH的一次和二次效应对酶活有极显著影响(P＜0.01),体质量对Na+-K+ ATPase活力没有显著影响,且pH与体质量对酶活无互作效应(P＞0.05).     

微囊藻毒素-LR在罗非鱼(Oreochromis niloticus)体内的动态分布

应用腹腔注射染毒法,研究不同作用时间下微囊藻毒素-LR(MC-LR)在罗非鱼各组织器官的动态分布。结果表明:除罗非鱼肌肉中MC-LR含量低于检出限(用ND表示未检出)外,罗非鱼肝脏、血清、胆囊、鳃、肠道都有MC-LR检出;且各组织器官MC-LR残留量的分布有明显的区别,其中以肝脏中残留量的平均值为最高,其变化区间为0.902～4.938mg·kg-1,血清、胆囊、鳃、肠道的MC-LR残留量变化区间分别为ND～0.390mg·L-1、ND～0.236mg·kg-1、0.0134～0.0369mg·kg-1、0.007～0.016mg·kg-1;染毒后84h,罗非鱼肝脏、鳃、血清、胆囊中的MC-LR残留量都显著降低,且血清和胆囊中的MC-LR含量低于检出限,表明罗非鱼对MC-LR具有很强的解毒机能;染毒后36h,胆囊和肝脏中的MC-LR残留量骤然下降,由此推测胆囊和肝脏可能是罗非鱼对MC-LR的主要解毒器官;试验期间,肌肉中MC-LR含量始终低于检出限,表明低剂量的MC摄入不会在罗非鱼肌肉中造成明显的残留。     

Effect of dietary alginic acid on juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) intestinal microbial balance, intestinal histology and growth performance

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of a commercial alginic acid source (Ergosan) on tilapia Oreochromis niloticus intestinal microbial balance, intestinal morphology, and growth parameters. Fish were fed a basal control diet or the basal diet plus a source of alginic acid (5?g?kg(-1) Ergosan; Schering-Plough Aquaculture, UK) for 9?weeks. At the end of the trial, light and electron microscopy demonstrated that the morphology of the intestinal tract at the gross and ultra-structural level was not affected by dietary alginic acid inclusion. Both groups of fish displayed healthy, normal morphology with no signs of disease, cell or tissue damage. Intestinal epithelial leucocyte infiltration was not affected by dietary alginic acid. Molecular bacterial profiles derived from PCR-DGGE illustrated highly similar microbial communities (both within the lumen and associated with the intestinal mucosa) in the respective treatment groups. Microbial ecological parameters (e.g. species diversity and richness) also remained unaffected. Although not significant, trends towards elevated survival and body protein content were observed in the alginic acid-fed fish. These results are suggestive that alginic acid does not adversely impact the indigenous gastrointestinal microbial balance and subsequently does not impact upon the epithelial brush border integrity. Validation of non-detrimental impacts of immunostimulatory products on gastric microbiota and epithelial integrity should be pursued in future studies as maintaining microbial balance and epithelial integrity is essential for proper gut functionality.     

Effect of different stress factors on some physiological parameters of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different stress factors on some physiological measurements of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).A total number of 160 Nile tilapia, the body weight ranging between 100 and 120 g, were exposed to three stress factors of hypoxia, overcrowding and starvation for different periods 24, 72 and 144 h. The results of cortisol level were 134.15, 144.27, 154.12 ng/ml and 140.18 ng/ml for control, hypoxia, overcrowding and starvation, respectively, while after 144 h did not show significant difference among treatments compared with control group. In contrast, the values of T₃ and T₄ observed reduction with significant difference that T₃ ranged between the highest value 122.12 ng/ml for control group to lowest value of starvation group 94.35, 93.81 and 88.46 ng/ml after 24, 72 and 144 h. Also, similar trend of results observed in T₄ and blood glucose among treatments. And the enzymatic activity of lactate dehydrogenise (LDH) increased in hypoxic group, while a significant reduction appeared in overcrowding and starved fish compared to control group. The pyruvate kinase (PK) activity decreased in hypoxic group but increased in other group.     

Effect of water temperature,feeding frequency,and protein percent in the diet on water quality,growth and behavior of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)

This study evaluated how water temperature (26, 28, and 30°C), number of meals per day (one or two meals), and protein percent in diet (20, 25 and 30%) impact growth performance, biometric indices, and feeding behavior of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were randomly allocated into 18 equal replicate groups. Higher final body weight was observed in fish reared at 30°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% crude protein. Better weight gain, weight gain %, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, and condition factor were recorded in fish reared at 26°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% protein. The best length weight relationship was obtained in fish reared at 26°C and fed one meal per day containing 30% crude protein. Shorter feeding duration and duration of appetite inhibition latency were recorded in fish reared at 30°C, fed one meal per day, and given a diet containing 30% protein. The highest proactivity was recorded in fish reared at 30°C, received one meal per day, and with 25% crude protein in their diet. Conclusively, rearing Nile tilapia at 26–30°C with a lower feeding frequency (one meal/day) and a 30% crude protein diet achieved better performance and feeding behavior.     

Kinematics of the pharyngeal jaws during feeding in Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces,Perciformes)

Cichlids possess a complex pharyngeal jaw apparatus, the osteological components of which are two upper pharyngeal jaws, articulating with the neurocranial base, and a single lower pharyngeal jaw. Quantitative cinera-diography revealed that pharyngeal food processing in Oreochromis niloticus involves transport, mastication, and swallowing, effected by cyclical pharyngeal jaw movements. Transport and swallowing occur by simultaneous retractions of both upper pharyngeal jaws. Food reduction (mastication) is effected by lower jaw elevation (compression) and protraction (shear) during upper jaw retraction. Each movement cycle contains a transport, reduction, and swallowing component, although their relative importance may vary within a feeding sequence. The upper and lower pharyngeal jaws show opposite anteroposterior movements during most of the cycle. Variations in the amplitudes and the durations of the different movement components reflect the consistency and the size of the food.     

延迟首次投喂对南方鲇（Silurus meridionalis Chen）仔鱼身体含能量、体长及游泳能力的影响

在(22.0±0.5)℃条件下,将人工孵化的南方鲇仔鱼分别于出膜后4、5、6、7天进行首次投喂（其中4d的为对照组）,首次投喂前（出膜后4 d）取样测量体长、体重、身体含能量作为初始值,于出膜后7 d（延迟投喂实验）和21 d（继续喂养实验）分别测定体长、体重、身体所含能量和临界游泳速度。结果显示：延迟投喂实验结束时各处理组的体重、身体含能量和体长随首次投喂时间的延迟均呈下降趋势,相对临界游泳速度随首次投喂时间的延迟表现为先提高后降低的趋势,绝对临界游泳速度在延迟投喂2d以内无显著差异;继续喂养实验结束时处理组各指标逐渐接近对照组水平,两种临界游泳速度表现为同步变化趋势;另外,体长特定生长率相对百分比（SGR_L％）的变化幅度小于身体含能量特定生长率相对百分比（SGR_E％）的变化幅度,而绝对临界游泳速度相对百分比（Ucri_t％）的变化又小于体长特定生长率相对百分比的变化。结果表明：早期食物资源的短缺会导致南方鲇仔鱼体重、身体含能量产生明显变化,体长生长速度的变化则相对较小,而短期饥饿不会显著降低南方鲇仔鱼的游泳能力。     

Gender and sexual behavior modulate the composition of serum lipocalins in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

In tilapia species, plasma lipoproteins with high electrophoretic mobility function in intra- and intergender communication. Blood samples taken at onset and peak of daily sexual activity from dominant and subordinate Oreochromis niloticus males and females were fractionated by native gel electrophoresis and the fast-migrating proteins were subjected to mass spectrometry. Mining the sequence data of the Cichlid Genome Consortium, we identified 11 proteins from the lipocalin super-family and characterized their genes' structures. Phylogenetic and structural analyses subdivided these genes into two classes: (I) 3-coding-exon apolipoproteins and (II) more complex 6-coding-exon sulfide-bond-containing lipocalins. Five apolipoproteins and PTGDSL1, TBTBP, and MSP proteins were modulated by gender and sexual behavior. PTGDSL1 protein was only observed in the plasma serum of dominant males. However, the cysteine residue in the position that is crucial for synthetase activity in mammalian prostaglandin D synthetases was not conserved in PTGDSL1 or PTGDSL2 proteins. In line with previous reports suggesting their involvement in male functions as pheromone transporters, TBTBP and MSP proteins were not detected in females at the onset of daily activity. Their increasing amount in males was concordant with the increase in apolipoproteins AFP4L, APOA4a, APOA4b, APO14kD and APOC2, which were detected exclusively in dominant males, indicating a possible role in mobilization of the energy required to maintain their social hierarchy.     

延迟首次投喂对南方鲇(Silurus meridionalis Chen)仔鱼身体含能量、体长及游泳能力的影响

在（22.0±0.5）℃条件下,将人工孵化的南方鲇仔鱼分别于出膜后4、5、6、7天进行首次投喂（其中4d的为对照组）,首次投喂前（出膜后4d）取样测量体长、体重、身体含能量作为初始值,于出膜后7d（延迟投喂实验）和21d（继续喂养实验）分别测定体长、体重、身体所含能量和临界游泳速度。结果显示：延迟投喂实验结束时各处理组的体重、身体含能量和体长随首次投喂时间的延迟均呈下降趋势,相对临界游泳速度随首次投喂时间的延迟表现为先提高后降低的趋势,绝对临界游泳速度在延迟投喂2d以内无显著差异;继续喂养实验结束时处理组各指标逐渐接近对照组水平,两种临界游泳速度表现为同步变化趋势;另外,体长特定生长率相对百分比（SGRL%）的变化幅度小于身体含能量特定生长率相对百分比（SGRE%）的变化幅度,而绝对临界游泳速度相对百分比（Ucrit%）的变化又小于体长特定生长率相对百分比的变化。结果表明：早期食物资源的短缺会导致南方鲇仔鱼体重、身体含能量产生明显变化,体长生长速度的变化则相对较小,而短期饥饿不会显著降低南方鲇仔鱼的游泳能力。     

Effect of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis on the growth and food utilization of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) under laboratory conditions

Three experiments were conducted to analyze the effect of the probiotic Bacillus subtilis on the growth of juvenile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii). The experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions, minimizing the indirect effects of the probiotic on the water quality and leaving only the possible bactericidal and digestion-support effects. A model of stress was also designed in tilapia to compare the effect with tilapia under normal conditions. The dose in the food was 0.1% of the probiotic (5 x 10(8) CFU/g and 99.9 % maltrine) in the dry diet. Every 14 days the animals were weighed in group (tilapias +/- 0.1 g, prawns +/- 0.001 g) to estimate average body weight. In the first experiment (tilapia) the specific growth rate (SGR) and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) were bad in relation with the factor probiotic, but the differences were not significant. In the second experiment (tilapia) both the SGR and the FCR deteriorated with the addition of B. subtilis to the diet; the difference was significant to 94%. The stress factor, on the contrary, caused a notable worsening of both the growth and the food utilization. In the experiment with prawns the addition of B. subtilis caused a light deterioration of the growth and of the food utilization, with a statistical probability of mistake of 10% in case of the growth. During the experiment the direct effects over the digestive system should have prevailed, either by the contribution of macro- and micronutrients, or by the enzymes that contribute to the digestion. The negative effect due to the addition of the probiotic to the food was small (about 10% in both the SGR and the FCR) being difficult to detect statistically. The reports on the positive action of probiotics on the growth in aquatic animals have been conducted mainly in ponds, and our information does not contradict directly a possible positive action of B. subtilis in this type of systems. Since the effect on the digestive system seems to be relatively small, in those environments the effect might be compensated by other positive effects on water quality, and by bactericidal effects on pathogenic bacteria.