Modelling the long-term feed-to-fillet transfer of leuco crystal violet and leuco malachite green in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Leuco crystal violet (LCV) and leuco malachite green (LMG) are the main metabolites of two dyes that are forbidden for use in food production, but can be present at low background concentration in novel Atlantic salmon feed ingredients such as processed animal proteins (animal by-product [ABP]). In this study, the potential transfer of dietary LCV or LMG to the fillet of farmed Atlantic salmon was investigated. The uptake and elimination rate kinetics were determined in seawater-adapted Atlantic salmon (initial weight 587 ± 148 g) fed two levels of either LCV- or LMG-enriched diets (~500 and 4000 µg kg-1, respectively) for 40 days, followed by a 90-day depuration period with feeding on control diets (<0.15 µg kg-1 LCV and LMG). A three-compartmental model was developed, based on a fillet fat, fillet muscle and a central body compartment comprising all other tissues. Model calibrations showed a good fit with measured values during overall uptake and elimination period; however, the model poorly predicted the short-term (days) peak measured values at the end of the exposure period. The model was used to simulate the long-term (>16 months) LCV and LMG feed-to-fillet transfer in Atlantic salmon under realistic farming conditions such as the seasonal fluctuations in feed intake, growth and fillet fat deposition. The model predictions gave highest expected LCV and LMG fillet concentrations of approximately 0.12 and 0.45 µg kg-1, depending on the dietary levels of ABP and background level of LCV and LMG contamination. These levels are under the reference point for action of 2 µg kg-1 for the sum of MG and LMG that EFSA assessed as adequate to protect public health. However, for LCV, the predicted highest levels exceed the analytical decision limit (CCα) of 0.15 µg kg-1 for the method used in this paper.

Feed intake and brain neuropeptide Y (NPY) and cholecystokinin (CCK) gene expression in juvenile cobia fed plant-based protein diets with different lysine to arginine ratios.

Cobia (Rachycentron canadum, Actinopterygii, Perciformes;10.5±0.1g) were fed to satiation with three plant-based protein test diets with different lysine (L) to arginine (A) ratios (LL/A, 0.8; BL/A, 1.1; and HL/A, 1.8), using a commercial diet as control for six weeks. The test diets contained 730 g kg(-1) plant ingredients with 505-529 g protein, 90.2-93.9 g lipid kg(-1) dry matter; control diet contained 550 g protein and 95 g lipid kg(-1) dry matter. Periprandial expression of brain NPY and CCK (npy and cck) was measured twice (weeks 1 and 6). At week one, npy levels were higher in pre-feeding than postfeeding cobia for all diets, except LL/A. At week six, npy levels in pre-feeding were higher than in postfeeding cobia for all diets. cck in pre-feeding cobia did not differ from that in postfeeding for all diets, at either time point. Cobia fed LL/A had lower feed intake (FI) than cobia fed BL/A and control diet, but no clear correlations between dietary L/A ratio and FI, growth and expression of npy and cck were detected. The data suggest that NPY serves as an orexigenic factor, but further studies are necessary to describe links between dietary L/A and regulation of appetite and FI in cobia.