Impact of dietary administration of Arthrospira platensis free-lipid biomass on growth performance, body composition, redox status, immune responses, and some related genes of pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

The current study aimed to assess the influence of dietary inclusion of cyanobacterium Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 as a dry material and as a free-lipid biomass (FL) on the growth performance, body composition, redox status, immune responses, and gene expression of whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei postlarvae. L. vannamei were fed five different supplemented diets; the first group was fed on an un-supplemented diet as a negative control group (C-N), the second group was fed on a commercial diet supplemented with 2% of A. platensis complete biomass as a positive control group (C-P20), whereas, the three remaining groups were fed on a commercial diet supplemented with graded amounts of FL at 1%, 2%, and 3% (FL10, FL20, and FL30, respectively). The obtained results indicated that the diet containing 1% FL significantly increased the growth performance, efficiency of consumed feed, and survival percentage of L. vannamei compared to both C-N and C-P20 groups. As for the carcass analysis, diets containing A. platensis or its FL at higher levels significantly increased the protein, lipid, and ash content compared to the C-N group. Moreover, the shrimp group fed on C-P20 and FL10 gave significantly stimulated higher digestive enzyme activities compared with C-N. The shrimp fed C-P20 or FL exhibited higher innate immune responses and promoted their redox status profile. Also, the shrimp fed a low FL levels significantly upregulated the expression of both the peroxiredoxin (Prx) and prophenoloxidase (PPO1) genes than those receiving C-N. The current results recommended that dietary supplementation with 1% FL is the most effective treatment in promoting the performance and immunity of whiteleg shrimp.

Effects of dietary supplementation with benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis on blood biochemistry, steroid hormone levels and seed production efficiency of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus broodstock.

Aquafeed additive quality and quantity remain pivotal factors that constrain the sustainability and progress of aquaculture feed development. This study investigates the impact of incorporating the benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis into the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, on the blood biochemistry, steroid hormone (SH) levels and seed production efficiency. Broodstock females displaying mature ovary indications were initially combined with males at a ratio of three females to one male. A total of 384 adult Nile tilapia (288 females and 96 males) were used, with 32 fish (24 females and eight males) assigned to each of 12 concrete tanks (8 m³; 2 m × 4 m × 1 m), with three replicate tanks for each dietary treatment, throughout a 14-day spawning cycle until egg harvest. Fish were fed one of four different dietary treatments: AM0% (control diet), and AM2%, AM4% and AM6% enriched with the diatom A. coffeaeformis at levels of 20, 40 and 60 g/kg of diet respectively. At the trial's conclusion, total protein, albumin, triglyceride and creatinine), SHs (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone and prolactin) and seeds production efficiency of Nile tilapia improved significantly (p < 0.05) in alignment with the increment of A. coffeaeformis supplementation. The findings propose that including A. coffeaeformis at levels ranging from 4% to 6% could be effectively employed as a feed additive during the Nile tilapia broodstock's spawning season.

Arthrospira platensis nanoparticles dietary supplementation improves growth performance, steroid hormone balance, and reproductive productivity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock.

This study evaluates the impact of dietary supplementation of the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 nanoparticles (AN) on the growth performance, whole-body biochemical compositions, blood biochemistry, steroid hormonal, and fry production efficiency of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, during the spawning season. After a 21-day preparation period to equip the females and ensure that their ovaries were filled with eggs, mating between the mature females and males took place in a 3:1 ratio during a 14-day spawning cycle. A total of 384 tilapia broodstock 288 females and 96 males with an initial body weight of 450.53±0.75, were divided into four groups; AN0: a basal diet as a control group with no supplementation of Arthrospira platensis, and the other three groups (AN2, AN4, and AN6) were diets supplemented with nanoparticles of A. platensis at levels of 2, 4, and 6 g kg─1 diet, respectively. The results found that fish-fed group AN6 showed the highest significant differences in weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed efficiency ratio (FER). Females fed the AN6 diet showed the highest significant fat content. Compared to the AN0 group, fish fed on the supplemented diets showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in triglyceride, glucose, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A gradual increase in AN inclusion level resulted in a gradual increase in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, progesterone, and prolactin. The rates (%) of increase in fry production for females fed supplemented diets were 10.5, 18.6, and 32.2% for AN2, AN4, and AN6, respectively, compared to the control group. This work concluded that the inclusion levels of 6 g kg─1 of A. platensis nanoparticles in the diet of Nile tilapia broodstock significantly improved the growth performances, steroid hormone concentrations, and increased the fry production efficiency by 32.2%, respectively. These findings revealed that A. platensis nanoparticles resulted in a significantly enhanced female' reproductive productivity of Nile tilapia broodstock.

Nano Iron Versus Bulk Iron Forms as Functional Feed Additives: Growth, Body Indices, Hematological Assay, Plasma Metabolites, Immune, Anti-oxidative Ability, and Intestinal Morphometric Measurements of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The current study aimed to compare the utilization efficiency of iron (Fe) feed additives from either bulk or nano sources in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus diets on growth, haematological, immunity, anti-oxidative, and intestinal topography capacities. Five isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were performed; the basal diet served as a control with no Fe added, whereas the experimental diets were shaped by adding bulk-Fe2O3 and nano-Fe2O3 to the basal diet to preserve Fe levels at 0.2 and 0.4 mg kg-1, respectively. Results indicated that superior growth performance was recorded in fish-fed diets supplemented with 0.4 nano-Fe2O3 mg kg-1 diet. In addition, the highest (P ≤ 0.05) survival rate, absorption area of villous (AAV), mucosal to serosal amplification ratio (MSR), and villi parameters (height and width) were noticed in fish fed diet enrichment with either bulk or nano-Fe2O3 source. However, the superiority observed in nano-Fe2O3 fish groups. Also, the highest values of plasma albumin, total protein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), white blood cells (WBCs), and lymphocyte absolute count (LYM) (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in fish fed a diet supplemented with nano-Fe2O3 versus the basal diet. Moreover, the highest values of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma lysozyme activity (P ≤ 0.05) were observed in fish fed 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3, while the lowest value was recorded in fish fed the control diet. The best value of malondialdehyde activity (P ≤ 0.05) recorded in a fish-fed diet supplemented with 0.4 mg/kg-1 nano-Fe2O3. The current findings emphasize the importance of including Fe to improve fish growth, immunity, antioxidant capabilities, and intestinal structure, primarily with a nano-Fe source, which demonstrated a more effective function in satisfying Nile tilapia dietary Fe requirements and improving the aforementioned parameters.

Evaluation of Different Copper Sources in Nile Tilapia Diets: Growth, Body Indices, Hematological Assay, Plasma Metabolites, Immune, Anti-Oxidative Ability, and Intestinal Morphometric Measurements.

The goal of the current study was to compare how well Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, utilized copper (Cu) as bulk and nano sources by evaluating fish growth, body indices, hematological assays, plasma metabolites, immune and anti-oxidative abilities, and intestinal morphometric measurements. The basal diet served as a control, with no Cu added, whereas the experimental diets were formed by adding bulk-Cu and nano-Cu to the basal diet to keep Cu levels at 3 and 6 mg kg-1, respectively, in both Cu sources. Tilapia (9.10 ± 0.014 g) were fed the control diet and four experimental diets for 12 weeks. Results indicated that growth, feed utilization, and body indices demonstrated a substantial improvement (P ≤ 0.05) in tilapia that received a diet containing 3 and 6 Nano-Cu mg kg-1 diet, compared to the performance of fish that received diets containing 3 and 6 Bulk-Cu mg kg-1 diet and the control diet. Villi height, villi width, absorption area of villous (AAV), and mucosal to serosal amplification ratio (MSR) values demonstrated a substantial increase (P ≤ 0.05) in tilapia fed 3 and 6 mg kg-1 Nano-Cu compared to the values observed in fish fed the control and Bulk-Cu supplemented diets. Fish fed Bulk-Cu recorded the highest (P ≤ 0.05) hemoglobin concentration in those fed 6 mg kg-1 compared to 3 mg kg-1. Hematocrit value considerably improved (P ≤ 0.05) by supplementation of Cu, whereas the highest significant value demonstrated in fish provided 6 mg/kg-1 Nano-Cu. A fish-fed diet containing 3 mg kg-1 Nano-Cu revealed the best (P ≤ 0.05) values of plasma albumin, total protein, and globulins. Plasma HDL-C highest concentrations (P ≤ 0.05) were reported in fish fed diet supplemented with 6 mg/kg-1 either Bulk or Nano Cu, whereas values of plasma TG and VLDL-C declined as Cu supplementation level increased either from Bulk or Nano source. Also, the best (P ≤ 0.05) values of CAT and GPX were seen in fish given diet supplemented with 6 Nano-Cu mg/kg-1. Fillets of fish-fed Nano-Cu-supplemented diets showed a marked decline (P ≤ 0.05) in moisture and fat contents, while crude protein, ash, and Cu contents considerably increased in the fillet by dietary supplementation of Nano-Cu at both levels 3 and 6 mg kg-1. In conclusion, the supplemental diets with 3 or 6 Nano-Cu mg/kg-1 enhanced growth, feed utilization, body indices, fillet nutrient composition, hematological assay, plasma metabolites, immune, antioxidant activities, and intestinal morphometry of Nile tilapia.

Impact of Dietary Administration of Seaweed Polysaccharide on Growth, Microbial Abundance, and Growth and Immune-Related Genes Expression of The Pacific Whiteleg Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei).

This work aims to determine the impact of dietary supplementation of polysaccharide, extracted from brown seaweeds Sargassum dentifolium on growth indices, feed utilization, biochemical compositions, microbial abundance, expressions of growth and immunity-related genes, and stress genes of the Pacific Whiteleg shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of 360 post-larvae of L. vannamei were randomly distributed into a 12-glass aquarium (40 L of each) at a stocking density of 30 shrimp with an initial weight of (0.0017 ± 0.001 g). During the 90-day experiment trial, all shrimp larvae were fed their respective diets at 10% of total body weight, three times a day. Three experimental diets were prepared with different seaweed polysaccharide (SWP) levels. The basal control diet had no polysaccharide level (SWP0), while SWP1, SWP2, and SWP3 contained polysaccharides at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 g kg-1 diet, respectively. Diets supplemented with polysaccharide levels showed significant improvements in weight gain and survival rate, compared to the control diet. Whole-body biochemical composition and the microbial abundance (the total count of heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp.) of L. vannamei showed significant differences among polysaccharide-treated diets compared to the control. At the end of the feeding experiment, the dietary supplementation of polysaccharide levels enhanced the expression of growth-related genes (Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II), immune-related genes (ß -Glucan-binding protein (ß-Bgp), Prophenoloxidase (ProPO), Lysozyme (Lys), and Crustin), and stress genes (Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the muscle tissue of L. vannamei. However, the current study concluded that the inclusion rate of 2 g kg-1 of polysaccharide as a dietary additive administration enhanced both weight gain and survival rate of L. vannamei, while the incorporation level of 3 g kg-1 reduces the abundance of pathogenic microbes and enhances the growth-, immunity- and stress-related gene expressions of L. vannamei.

Effects of Substituting the Two-Spotted Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) Meal for Fish Meal on Growth Performances and Digestibility of Striped Snakehead (Channa striata) Juveniles.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of using field two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus as the main protein source in fish feed for striped snakehead (Channa striata) juveniles. A 10-week feeding effect on growth performance, feed utilization, digestibility of major nutrients, including amino acids, and physiological outputs of nitrogen and phosphorus were determined. A total of 225 C. striata juvenile fish (Initial weight, 15.0 ± 0.1 g) were randomly distributed into three dietary groups in triplicate (25 fish per rectangular aquarium within a semi-recirculating system). Each group was hand-fed one of the experimental diets containing the graded level of a cricket meal (CM) replacing 0%, 50%, and 100% (CM0%, CM50%, and CM100%, respectively) of fish meal (FM) protein component. The results showed that growth performance and protein retention tended to increase with increasing dietary CM levels, whereas the waste outputs of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) decreased. Apparent net protein utilization (ANPU) and P retention values increased with increasing levels of cricket meal inclusion level in the diet. There was a significant reduction in both N and P solid waste and dissolved waste output for snakehead with increased CM inclusion. There were significant effects of CM level on fish whole-body composition in terms of elevated protein and fat content. In conclusion, the CM is a viable alternative protein source for aquaculture feeds and can be included up to 100% as a replacement for FM without compromising the growth performance of striped snakehead Channa striata juveniles. This may also have a more favorable impact, with the potential to reduce N and P loading to the environment.

Immunostimulatory effect of mannan-oligosaccharides supplementation diet in milkfish (Chanos chanos).

The current study was designed to examine the impacts of dietary mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) on growth, hemato-biochemical changes, digestive-antioxidant enzyme activity, immune response, and disease resistance of milkfish (Chanos chanos) fed diets contained MOS i.e. 1g, 2g, and 3g MOS. The growth parameters were significantly influence in milkfish fed all MOS diets, whereas the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly influence with 2g or 3g MOS diets. The total protein (TP), globulin (GB), and glucose (GLU) levels, amylase, protease, liver enzymes were found significantly high in fish fed 2g or 3g MOS diets; but, lipase, trypsin, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes were increased significantly at 3g MOS diet. All MOS inclusion levels were significantly increased total and Lactobacillus intestinal microflora population. The oxidative enzymes activity as superoxide desmutase (SOD) and catalyze (CAT) were progressively increased with all MOS supplementation diet, but the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content were found significantly high in fish fed 2g or 3g MOS diets. Similarly, the reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione reductase (GR) contents were observed significantly high level in fish fed 3g MOS diet. The phagocytic (PC) and lysozyme (LYZ) activities were found gradually increase in fish fed increasing level of MOS diets, while the respiratory burst (RB) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activities were seen significant in fish fed 2g and 3g MOS diets. The current research work confirmed that C. chanos fed diets contained 3g kg-1 MOS recorded better growth performance, digestive-antioxidant, immune response, and disease resistance.

Immunomulation effect of alginic acid and chitooligosaccharides in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix).

Individual and combined efficacy of chitooligosaccharides (COS) and alginic acid (AA) at 1 g, 2 g, and 3 g per kg diet was assessed on growth and disease resistance in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) against Edwardsiella ictaluri. Growth parameters including specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), and feed conversion rate (FCR) were significant in fish fed 2 g and 3 g kg-1 of COS or AA, and fish fed combined COS + AA at 1, 2 and 3 kg-1 diet. In all groups, the survival rate (SR) was recorded 100%, except in group fed 2 g kg-1 AA diet. All the hematological and biochemical profiles significantly increased in groups fed 2 g and 3 g kg-1 of COS, AA, and COS + AA diets. Lipase and amylase enzyme activities and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly increased in fish fed 2 g and 3 g kg-1 of COS, AA, and COS + AA diet. Respiratory burst (RB), lysozyme (Lyz), reactive oxygen species (ROS) activities, and immunoglobuline (Ig) level were enhanced significantly in fish fed 2 g kg-1 of COS or COS + AA and all 3 g kg-1 diets, whereas nitric acid (NO) production and serum AP activity were improved in 2 g kg-1 COS + AA and 3 g kg-1 COS or COS + AA diets. Pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-8 mRNA transcriptions was significant in 2 g kg-1 COS + AA diet and all 3 g kg-1 diet. The IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine mRNA transcriptions were significant in 3 g kg-1 COS or COS + AA diets. This study was confirmed that H. molitrix fed with 3 g kg-1 COS or COS + AA diets were better activity when compared to other diet.

Management of Green Mold Disease in White Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) and Its Yield Improvement.

Mycoparasites cause serious losses in profitable mushroom farms worldwide. The negative impact of green mold (Trichoderma harzianum) reduces cropping surface and damages basidiomes, limiting production and harvest quality. The goal of the current study was to evaluate new generation fungicides, to devise suitable management strategies against the green mold disease under prevailing agro-climatic conditions. Six non-systemic and five systemic fungitoxicants were evaluated for their efficacy against pathogen, T. harzianum, and host, Agaricus bisporus, under in vitro conditions. Among non-systemic fungicides, chlorothalonil and prochloraz manganese with mean mycelium inhibition of 76.87 and 93.40 percent, respectively, were highly inhibitory against the pathogen. The least inhibition percentage of 7.16 of A. bisporus was exhibited by chlorothalonil. Under in vivo conditions, use of captan 50 WP resulted in a maximum yield of button mushroom of 14.96 kg/qt. So far, systemic fungicides were concerned, carbendazim proved extremely inhibitory to the pathogen (89.22%), with least inhibitory effect on host mycelium (1.56%). However, application of non-systemic fungitoxicants further revealed that fungicide prochloraz manganese 50 WP at 0.1-0.2 percent or chlorothalonil 50 WP at 0.2 percent, exhibited maximum disease control of 89.06-96.30 percent. Moreover, the results of systemic fungitoxicants showed that carbendazim 50 WP or thiophanate methyl 70 WP at 0.1 percent reduced disease to 2.29-3.69 percent, hence exhibiting the disease control of 80.11-87.66 percent. Under in vivo conditions, fungicide myclobutanil at 0.1 percent concentration produced the maximum button mushroom production of 12.87 kg/q.

Effect of Dietary Administration of Green Macroalgae (Ulva intestinalis) on Mucosal and Systemic Immune Parameters, Antioxidant Defence, and Related Gene Expression in Zebrafish (Danio rerio).

This study investigated the effects of adding green macroalgae gutweed (Ulva intestinalis) powder to zebrafish (Danio rerio) feed at different levels on innate immune responses, antioxidant defence, and gene expression. A total of 600 zebrafish (0.3 ± 0.08 g) were randomly allocated to 12 aquariums in four treatments with three replicates (50 fish per aquarium). Zebrafish were fed with different levels of U. intestinalis powder 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1% for eight weeks. Whole-body extract (WBE) immune parameters including total protein level, globulin level, and lysozyme activity were evaluated and revealed statistically significant increased in all U. intestinalis supplemented groups compared to the control (P < 0.05). However, mucus immune parameters (total protein, globulin, and lysozyme) were statistically different in only 1% gutweed supplemented groups from other groups. While glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased with the addition of gutweed (P < 0.05), catalase (CAT) did not change (P > 0.05). The study results showed that dietary gutweed remarkably upregulated immune-related genes such as lysozyme (Lyz) and Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß). Antioxidant-related genes (SOD and CAT) and growth-related genes, including growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1), were remarkably upregulated with gutweed treatment (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary U. intestinalis showed beneficial effects on immunity, and same effects were observed in case of antioxidant and growth related genes expression in zebrafish.

Nano Zinc Versus Bulk Zinc Form as Dietary Supplied: Effects on Growth, Intestinal Enzymes and Topography, and Hemato-biochemical and Oxidative Stress Biomarker in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus, 1758).

Five isonitrogenous diets were formulated to comprise two forms of zinc (Zn): convention zinc oxide named Bulk-ZnO or zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nano-ZnO) supplemented at two levels 30 and 60 mg kg-1 compared to the control diet. Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fingerlings (5.02-5.05 g) were fed tested diets two times a day for 84 days. The results displayed that the best growth and digestive enzyme activity (P < 0.05) were noticed in fish fed 60 mg kg-1 Nano-ZnO. Moreover, significant (P < 0.05) improvement in intestinal topography was observed in 60 mg kg-1 Nano-ZnO group versus other treatments. Furthermore, fish fed 30 mg kg-1 Nano-ZnO recorded the best values of hematological indices (P < 0.05). The alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST) values were lower, while total serum protein, albumin, and globulin contents were clearly higher in fish fed diet that contained 30 mg kg-1 Nano-ZnO versus other groups. The significant highest values of oxidative enzyme activity escorted with lower malondialdehyde value recorded of fish fed diet supplemented with 60 mg kg-1 Nano-ZnO. The results indicated that inclusion of Nano-ZnO at 60 mg kg-1 was the recommended source to enhance growth, feed utilization, amylase and lipase enzymes activity, intestinal morphology, hemato-biochemical, and oxidative response biomarkers of Nile tilapia compared with Bulk-ZnO in commercial tilapia feeds.

Commercial Seaweed Liquid Extract as Strawberry Biostimulants and Bioethanol Production.

Seaweeds are increasingly intriguing as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. They have applications in agriculture, fuels, feed, and food products. To become a cost-competitive product with zero waste, a biorefinery approach is applied, where several products are valorized at the same time. True-Algae-Max (TAM®) has been investigated for its ability to improve the yield and nutritional facts of a strawberry plant. Three concentrations of TAM (0, 50, and 100%) were examined by foliar spray in 2017 with 50% NPK chemical fertilizer. Results indicated that growth, yield, chlorophyll, and potassium content were significantly improved by TAM treatments. TAM50 % resulted in maximum root length, leaf area, plant fresh weight, fruit weight, and yield with an increase ranging from 10 to 110% compared to control. Compared to the NPK control, strawberries grown with TAM50% improved total soluble solids (TSS) from 7.58 to 10.12% and anthocyanin from 23.08 to 29.42 mg CGE 100 g-1. Noteworthily, this reduced total sugar, and total phenolics were boosted by TAM applications, while non-reducing sugar was reduced compared to control. On the other hand, whole seaweed biomass and TAM residuals were used for bioethanol production by acid scarification. The maximum bioethanol yield was observed in residual biomass (0.34 g g-1 dw), while the whole seaweed biomass showed only 0.20 g g-1 dw. These results proved the biorefinery concept of using seaweed extract as a biostimulator and bioethanol production.

Effects of Apple (Malus pomila) Pomace-Derived Pectin on the Innate Immune Responses, Expressions of Key Immune-Related Genes, Growth Performance, and Digestive Enzyme Activity of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Pectins are a group of carbohydrates found in structural parts of terrestrial plants with wide industrial and biomedical applications. This study was designed to investigate the dietary effects of apple pomace-derived pectin (APDP) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four formulated diets were provided with different inclusion levels of APDP for 30 days: 0, 5, 10, and 20 g kg-1; referred to as control, P1, P2, and P3, respectively. In this study, 300 fish (3.56 ± 0.007 g) were randomly distributed into twelve fiberglass tanks and fed 3% of their respective body weight four times a day. At the end of the experiment, growth parameters, including weight gain, specific growth rate, and food conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly improved in P1 and P2 treatments compared to those of the other treatments. Results from proximate composition analysis showed that protein content increased, and lipid decreased in the P2 and P3 groups. Serum lysozyme, complement activity, total immunoglobulin levels, and total protein were significantly enhanced in all treatments compared to those of the control group. Gene expression results showed no significant difference in regulation of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß); however, up-regulation of lysozyme, interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was observed in both P1 and P2. Unlike lipase, the activity of protease and amylase significantly increased in fish receiving different levels of APDP compared to the control (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present findings suggest APDA as a promising feed additive for rainbow trout.

Modulation of growth, innate immunity, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) culture under biofloc system by supplementing pineapple peel powder and Lactobacillus plantarum.

Eight weeks feeding experiment was managed to evaluate the impacts of dietary addition of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) and Lactobacillus plantarum CR1T5 (LP) individual or mixed on growth performance, skin mucus and serum immunities, as well as disease resistance of Nile tilapia. Fish (average weight 20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed four diets: Diet 1 (0 g kg-1 PAPP and 0 CFU g-1 L. plantarum, Diet 2 (10 g kg-1 PAPP), Diet 3 (108 CFU g-1L. plantarum), and Diet 4 (10 g kg-1 PAPP + 108 CFU g-1L. plantarum). Serum and mucus immune responses, as well as growth rate, were assessed every 4 weeks. Ten fish were chosen for the challenge test with Streptococcus agalactiae after 8 weeks post-feeding. The findings showed that PAPP and/or LP diets increased (P ≤ 0.05) growth performance, skin mucus, and serum immune responses. The best data were obtained in fish fed a mixture of PAPP and LP. Nevertheless, no variation (P > 0.05) was recorded between groups fed PAPP or LP. The relative survival percentage (RSP, %) in Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4 was 46.15%, 50.0%, and 73.08%. Fish fed mixture of PAPP + LP recorded the best (P < 0.05) survival rate versus other treatments. The current findings recommended using a mixture of PAPP and LP as promising functional additives for aquaculture practice.

Impacts of pineapple peel powder on growth performance, innate immunity, disease resistance, and relative immune gene expression of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

An 8-week growth trial was conducted to examine the efficacy of pineapple peel powder (PAPP) on growth rate and immunity of Nile tilapia, O. niloticus. Three hundred Nile tilapia (20.91 ± 0.11 g) were fed five diets containing different levels of PAPP at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 g kg-1 PAPP, respectively. After four and eight weeks of the feeding trial, growth rates, and immune responses were tested. A challenge test using Streptococcus agalactiae and relative immune gene expression were performed after eight weeks of PAPP feeding. It was found that skin mucus and serum lysozyme, skin mucus and serum peroxidase, alternative complement, phagocytosis, and respiratory burst activities were significantly increased with the addition of PAPP. The maximum (P ≤ 0.05) innate immune values were noted in fish fed 10 g kg-1 PAPP. Similarly, the up-regulation of IL1, IL8, and LBP gene expressions were also detected in fish fed PAPP diets, with the maximum value was found in 10 g kg-1 PAPP fed fish. The relative percentage of survival (RPS) of Oreochromis niloticus after the challenge test were (56.00%, 72.00%, 60.00%, and 44.00%) for the 5, 10, 20 and 40 g kg-1 PAPP diets, respectively. Fish fed the 10 g kg-1 PAPP supplemented diet achieved the highest (P < 0.05) survival rate against S. agalactiae. Growth and feed efficiency were outstandingly (P < 0.05) enhanced in the PAPP groups. In conclusion, PAPP can be potentially used as a feed additive in Nile tilapia culture under Biofloc system.

Comparative study on the effect of dietary ß-carotene and phycocyanin extracted from Spirulina platensis on immune-oxidative stress biomarkers, genes expression and intestinal enzymes, serum biochemical in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus.

The current trial investigated the roles of ß-carotene and phycocyanin extracted from Spirulina platensis on growth, serum biochemical, digestive enzymes, antioxidant defense, immune responses, and immune gene expression in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish (1.52 ± 0.10 g) were randomly stocked to three treatments with three replicates (12 fish per replicate) in nine aquaria (60 L glass aquarium for each), and reared for 70-days. Three tested diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isolipidic, and were offered for experimental fish until ad-libitum three times daily at 09:00 a.m., 11.00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The first diet (control) was without supplementation. About 50 mg ß-carotene and 50 mg phycocyanin kg-1 were supplemented to the other experimental diets, respectively. Results indicated that feed intake was not (P > 0.05) differ among experimental diets. Compared to control diet wight gain and specific growth rate were significantly (P < 0.05) in fish fed diet containing ß-carotene, while, the highest weight gain and the best FCR were detected in phycocyanin diet. Survival fish among treatments was significantly (P < 0.05) differ and the highest survival rate was showed in fish fed diet supplemented with phycocyanin. Either ß-carotene or phycocyanin significantly (P < 0.05) improved the intestinal digestive enzymes compared with control diet, where the highest values of chymotrypsin, trypsin, lipase and amylase were noticed in fish fed phycocyanin. Diets supplemented with ß-carotene and phycocyanin significantly (P < 0.05) improved hematology parameters contents compared with to the control diet, and the best contents were detected in fish fed diet supplemented with phycocyanin. The highest significant (P < 0.05) phagocytic, lysozyme, immunoglobulin M (IgM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) activities were recorded in diet supplemented with phycocyanin. The transcripts of interferon gamma and interleukin 1ß genes were (P < 0.05) up-regulated in the liver of fish fed diet supplemented with ß-carotene and phycocyanin, but expression of HSP70 gene down-regulated in fish fed ß-carotene and phycocyanin containing diet compared control. The highest gene expression of the interferon gamma and interleukin 1ß was observed in fish fed phycocyanin.

The potential benefits of orange peels derived pectin on serum and skin mucus immune parameters, antioxidant defence and growth performance in common carp (Cyprinus carpio).

This study was performed to determine the effects of pectin derived from orange peel (PDOP) on growth performance, antioxidant enzyme activity and serum and skin mucus immune response of common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Common Carp (16.94 ± 0.03 g) were distributed into 12 tanks representing four treatments repeated in triplicates. Four diets were prepared to contain four levels of PDOP as follows: 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2% PDOP. Growth and immunological parameters as skin mucus lysozyme activity (SMLA) and total immunoglobulin (SMTIg), serum total immunoglobulin (STIg), serum peroxidase activities (SPA), Catalyse activity (CAT), DPPH radical scavenging activity, specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were assessed. Fish fed diets supplemented with PDOP showed an improvement of SGR, WG, FW, and FCR (P < 0.05). In terms of skin mucus immunological parameters, dietary inclusion of pectin significantly (P < 0.05) increased SMTIg. Likewise, carps fed either 1 or 2% PDOP showed notable enhancement of SMLA. In the case of serum immune parameters and antioxidant defence, carps in 1% PDOP treatment showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher SPA and CAT compared to fish fed either control diet or 0.5% OPDP. Additionally, no significant change (P > 0.05) was found in SPA and CAT of fish fed either 1% PDOP or 2% PDOP. Also, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was noticed between treated groups and control in the case of STIg. Furthermore, no significant differences were observed in DPPH radical activity among treatments (P > 0.05). Overall, these results suggested that inclusion of PDOP in common carp diet can beneficially affect growth and immune response.

A mechanistic model of nutritional control of protein synthesis in animal tissues.

Regulation of mRNA translation has been held responsible for effects of diet, age, alcohol, hormones, hibernation, disease and hypoxia on protein synthesis in animal tissues. Dietary effects are due to concentrations of amino acids and insulin in circulation that affect activities of two key translational regulators, eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (F2) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (Bp). To construct a platform for prediction of global protein synthesis to nutritional stimuli, a dynamic, mechanistic model of translational control in whole tissues was developed. The model was composed of a set of differential equations which describe the dynamics of 11 state variables: tRNA and acyl-tRNA for leucine (Leu), limiting (Laa) and other amino acids (Oaa), inactivated F2 with GDP (F2d), activated F2 with GTP (F2t), F4e, Bp and its complex with F4e (4eBp), available mRNA start codons (AUG), and active ribosomes (Arib). Material was assumed to flow from one variable to another according to mass-action kinetics or Michaelis-Menten form. Uncharged tRNA inhibit GTP exchange on eIF2, and free amino acids and insulin inhibit reversible sequestration of F4e by Bp. Initial conditions and parameters were set for a skeletal muscle fractional synthesis rate of 10%/d and ribosome transit time of 80s. Between amino acid concentrations of 500 and 4000x10(3)nM, protein synthesis increased from 0.9 to 11.7%/d at 0microU/mL insulin, and from 5.0 to 12.8%/d at 30microU/mL insulin. Predicted responses to graded levels of a deficient amino acid were asymptotic. A single parameter accomodated differences between tissues in insulin sensitivity. Seven parameters must be changed to simulate initiation and elongation rates in more active tissues such as liver, or in tissues of older mature animals. An increase in uncharged tRNA during insulin stimulation highlighted the physiological importance of coordinated regulation of amino acid supply by insulin. In conclusion, the regulation of F4e release from Bp by Ins and Leu, and of F2d recycling by uncharged tRNA can be tied together to describe a wide range of FSR values across tissues and physiological states.