In vitro and in vivo immuno-enhancing effect of fucoidan isolated from non-edible brown seaweed Sargassum thunbergii.

Fucoidan has been reported to have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor and anticoagulant, with various health benefits. However, few studies have been conducted to extract fucoidan from Sargassum thunbergii in terms of its immuno-enhancing activities. This aim of this study was to investigate the immuno-enhancing effect of fucoidan (S3) isolated from Sargassum thunbergii through water extraction and ethanol precipitation in RAW 264.7 macrophages and zebrafish. The results showed that S3 contained a relatively high content of fucose and sulfated polysaccharide. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that the characteristic peaks at 845 cm-1 and 1220-1270 cm-1 indicate that S3 contains sulfate groups. In vitro, S3 effectively enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production and phagocytic activity. In addition, the results of the study demonstrated that the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and IL-10 was upregulated by nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, S3 activates zebrafish immune responses by promoting secretion of NO and activating the NF-κB pathway. Overall, these results suggest that S3 could be used as a functional ingredient added to nutritional supplements and functional foods.

Cosmeceutical Effects of Ishige okamurae Celluclast Extract.

Sulfated polysaccharides extracted from brown algae are unique algal polysaccharides and potential ingredients in the cosmeceutical, functional food, and pharmaceutical industries. Therefore, the present study evaluated the cosmeceutical effects, including antioxidant, anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammation, and photoprotective activities, of Ishige okamurae Celluclast extract (IOC). The IOC was abundant in sulfated polysaccharides (48.47%), polysaccharides (44.33%), and fucose (43.50%). Moreover, the IOC effectively scavenged free radicals, and its anti-inflammatory properties were confirmed in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages; therefore, the IOC may produce auxiliary effects by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS). In vitro (Vero cells) and in vivo (zebrafish) studies further confirmed that the IOC produced a protective effect against hydrogen-peroxide-induced oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the IOC suppressed intracellular ROS and apoptosis and enhanced HO-1 and SOD-1 expression through transcriptional activation of Nrf2 and downregulation of Keap1 in HaCaT cells. Furthermore, the IOC exhibited a potent protective effect against ultraviolet-B-induced skin damage and photoaging. In conclusion, the IOC possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and photoprotective activities, and can, therefore, be utilized in the cosmeceutical and functional food industries.

Eckmaxol Isolated from Ecklonia maxima Attenuates Particulate-Matter-Induced Inflammation in MH-S Lung Macrophage.

Airborne particulate matter (PM) originating from industrial processes is a major threat to the environment and health in East Asia. PM can cause asthma, collateral lung tissue damage, oxidative stress, allergic reactions, and inflammation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of eckmaxol, a phlorotannin isolated from Ecklonia maxima, against PM-induced inflammation in MH-S macrophage cells. It was found that PM induced inflammation in MH-S lung macrophages, which was inhibited by eckmaxol treatment in a dose-dependent manner (21.0−84.12 µM). Eckmaxol attenuated the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in PM-induced lung macrophages. Subsequently, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) were downregulated. PM stimulated inflammation in MH-S lung macrophages by activating Toll-like receptors (TLRs), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Eckmaxol exhibited anti-inflammatory properties by suppressing the activation of TLRs, downstream signaling of NF-κB (p50 and p65), and MAPK pathways, including c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. These findings suggest that eckmaxol may offer substantial therapeutic potential in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Characterization and applicability of novel alkali-tolerant carbonatogenic bacteria as environment-friendly bioconsolidants for management of concrete structures and soil erosion.

Cracking and erosion are critical factors that reduce the mechanical properties and stability of concrete structures and soil, respectively. They are recognized worldwide as severe disasters causing the collapse of many structures including stone heritage and dams, and landslides. Therefore, it is essential to propose effective and environment-friendly management methods to prevent them. Carbonatogenesis has recently received considerable attention as a reliable biological process for remediating cracks in calcareous structures, stabilizing loose soils, and sequestering CO2 in the environment. Isolating and characterizing carbonatogenic bacteria with excellent performance is crucial for applying this process to the field of environmental and civil engineering. The aim of this study was to isolate new CaCO3-precipitating bacteria and investigate various properties for their use as bioconsolidants. Furthermore, the possibility of restoring damaged structures and stabilizing loose sandy soil using isolated strain was investigated. Strain LC13 with urease and CaCO3-precipitating activity was isolated from limestone cave soil in Korea and identified as Arthrobacter sulfureus by phenotypic characterization and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Although cell growth was observed after an adaptation period at pH 11, strain LC13 grew well at pH 7-11, indicating alkali tolerance. The optimal conditions for CaCO3 precipitation were 1.0% yeast extract, 2.5% urea, 0.35% NaHCO3, and 400 mM CaCl2, with an initial pH of 6.5 at 30 °C. Under optimized conditions, maximal CaCO3 (22.92 ± 0.14 g/l) precipitated after 3 days, which was 10.8-fold higher than the value in a urea-CaCl2 medium. CaCO3 precipitation by strain LC13 was associated with an increased pH due to ureolysis and protein deamination. Using an optimized medium as a cementation solution, strain LC13 completely remediated 340-760 µm wide cracks over 3 days, and also restored the spalling of concrete surfaces. Furthermore, the sand treated with LC13 solidified with a surface strength of 14.9 kPa. Instrumental analysis confirmed that the crystals precipitated were a mixture of CaCO3 polymorphs composed of rhombohedral calcite and spherical vaterite. These results suggest that A. sulfureus LC13 may be useful for implementing sustainable biorestoration and environmental management technologies such as the in situ remediation of structural cracks and in situ prevention of soil erosion.

Labrenzia callyspongiae sp. nov., Isolated from Marine Sponge Callyspongia elegans in Jeju Island.

A Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, light brown pigment bacterium, designated strain CE80T was isolated from marine sponge Callyspongia elegans in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. Strain CE80T grew optimally at 25°C, in the range of pH 5.0-11.0 (optimum 7.0-8.0), and with 1.0-5.0% NaCl (optimum 1-3% (w/v)). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain CE80T belonged to the genus Labrenzia and was closely related to L. suaedae YC6927T (98.3%), L. alexandrii DFL-11T (96.6%), L. aggregata IAM 12614T (96.6%) L. marina mano18T (96.5%) and L. alba CECT 5094T (96.2%). The major fatty acids of strain CE80T were C18:1 ω7c, and summed feature. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmonomethylethanolamin, one unidentified aminolipid, one phospholipid and four unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain CE80T was 55.9 mol%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain CE80T and L. suaedae YC6927T was 56.1±2.8%. On the basis of physiological and biochemical characterization and phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain CE80T represents a novel species of the Labrenzia, for which the name Labrenzia callyspongiae sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is CE80T (=KCTC 42849T =JCM 31309T).

Immune response of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with the myxosporean parasite Kudoa septempunctata.

This study evaluated the pathophysiological, biochemical, and immunological status of olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with the myxosporean parasite Kudoa septempunctata. Flounder fish collected from Kudoa-infected and uninfected farms were confirmed by microscopic and TaqMan probe-based quantitative PCR screening. Morphological, biochemical, histological, and immune gene expression analyses were performed on uninfected and infected hosts to assess the effect of K. septempunctata. Histological studies confirmed the presence of Kudoa myxospores in the trunk muscles of infected flounder fish. Serum biochemical parameters, including the levels of myeloperoxidase activity, superoxide dismutase activity, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bilirubin, total protein, cholesterol, calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, glucose, and galactose, were found to exhibit no significant variations (p > 0.05) between uninfected and infected flounder fish. However, immune-related genes such as Mx, lysozyme, signal transducer and activator of transcription 1, interferon-γ, interferon regulatory factor, and tumour necrosis factor showed significantly elevated expression (p < 0.05) in the trunk muscles of infected flounder fish while no significant differences were noted in uninfected fish trunk muscle and head-kidney of infected and uninfected flounder fish.

Isolation, Characterization, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Effect of Marine Actinomycete, Streptomyces Carpaticus MK-01, against Fish Pathogens

ABSTRACT Present study aim to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of crude extract of Marine Streptomyces carpaticus MK-01 isolated from seawater collected from Daejeong-cost of Jeju Island. About 24 actinomycetes strains were isolated and subjected to morphological and molecular analysis that confirmed the isolate as S. carpaticus MK-01. Crude ethyl acetate extract of MK-01 strain showed extensive antibacterial activity against Gram-positive fish pathogenic bacteria namely Streptococcus iniae and S. parauberis with a maximum zone of inhibition (0.92±0.03mm) was recorded against S. parauberis at the minimum extract concentration (3.12µg/ml). The MK-01 ethyl acetate extract shows dose dependant significant increase in antioxidant activity. The 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) of MK-01 ethyl acetate extract was attained at 53.71 μg/ml and the effective concentration 50 (EC50) against virus-infected Epithelioma papulosum cyprini cell lines was 8.72 μg/ml of S. carpaticus MK-01 crude ethyl acetate extract.

Flavobacterium jejuensis sp. nov., isolated from marine brown alga Ecklonia cava.

A bacterial strain, designated EC11(T) was isolated from brown alga Ecklonia cava collected from Jeju Island, Korea. EC11(T) was identified as a Gram-negative, rod-shaped and yellow-pigmented bacterial strain. The strain EC11(T) grew over a temperature range of 10 °C to 30 °C (optimally at 25 °C), and a pH range of 6.0-10.5 (optimally at pH 7.5). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain EC11(T) belongs to the genus Flavobacterium. Strain EC11(T) shared close similarity with Flavobacterium jumunjinense HME7102(T) (96.4%), Flavobacterium dongtanense LW30(T) (95.8%), Flavobacterium haoranii LQY-7(T) (95.3%), and Flavobacterium urocaniciphilum (95.1%). The major fatty acids (> 5%) were iso-C17:0 3-OH (22.4%), iso-C15:0 3-OH (19.0%), C15:0 (12.4%), summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1 ω7c/ C16:1 ω6c; 9.78%), iso-C15:1 G (9.6%), and iso-C16:0 3-OH (9.0%). The DNA G+C content was 28.1 mol% and the strain contained MK-6 as the predominant menaquinone. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unknown aminolipids and three unknown polar lipids. Based on phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analysis, strain EC11T represents a novel species of the Flavobacterium genus, for which the name Flavobacterium jejuensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of F. jejuensis is EC11(T) (=KCTC 42149(T) = JCM 30735(T)).

Efficacy of formalin-killed Pseudomonas anguilliseptica vaccine on immune gene expression and protection in farmed olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus.

Formalin killed Pseudomonas anguilliseptica bacterial vaccine was prepared and administered to farm reared olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus reared at 17 °C and 20 °C for 4 weeks. Non-vaccinated fishes (n=150) served as positive control. Vaccinated fishes were divided into two groups (n=150 each in replicate). Both the vaccinated and non-vaccinated fishes were challenged intraperitoneally with P. anguilliseptica (1×10(7) CFU ml(-1)) isolates and PBS (negative control). Fishes were sampled from zero hour post injection (hpi) for 28 days (each hour and each day); the mean percent mortality and relative percent survival (RPS) were calculated for the challenged and control groups. The vaccinated fishes had a significant increase in RPS (69 and 89, respectively); the percentage mortality declined from 83±0.6 and 74±0.7 in challenged and control fishes to 25%±0.8% and 8%±0.8% in vaccinated and challenged fish groups, respectively. The immune gene expression assay was analyzed using real-time PCR. Vaccinated fishes registered a significant increase in the expression of TNFR-1, FasL, IRF7, TLR2, IL-1b and CD40 gene transcripts when compared to the control group. The upregulation of these genes along with the increased RPS values suggest that the formalin-killed cells of P. anguilliseptica could play an important role in immunizing olive flounder against P. anguilliseptica.

Dietary effect of Rubus coreanus ethanolic extract on immune gene expression in white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of a Rubus coreanus ethanolic extract on immunostimulatory response in white leg shrimp Penaeus vannamei. Shrimps with an average initial weight of 0.5 ± 0.04 g were collected and acclimatized for 10 days. Four experimental diets including a control diet, a probiotic diet and 0.25 and 0.5% of R. coreanus ethanolic extract (RcEE) diets were used to feed the shrimps. After 8 weeks of culture, shrimp fed with probiotic and 0.25% RcEE diet had showed significant enhancement in the growth while shrimp fed with 0.5% RcEE diet showed significantly increased expression of immune genes and antioxidant enzymes activities. One week of challenge experiments for all the four diets fed shrimps showed decreased cumulative mortality in the 0.5% RcEE diets fed shrimps, when compared with the probiotic and 0.25% RcEE diet fed shrimp groups. The results indicates that R. coreanus ethanolic extract could be used as a herbal immunostimulant for shrimps to increase its immunity and disease resistance against the bacterial pathogen, Vibrio alginolyticus.

Permanent genetic resources added to molecular ecology resources database 1 December 2012-31 January 2013.

This article documents the addition of 268 microsatellite marker loci to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Alburnoides bipunctatus, Chamaerops humilis, Chlidonias hybrida, Cyperus papyrus, Fusarium graminearum, Loxigilla barbadensis, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Odontesthes bonariensis, Pelteobagrus vachelli, Posidonia oceanica, Potamotrygon motoro, Rhamdia quelen, Sarotherodon melanotheron heudelotii, Sibiraea angustata, Takifugu rubripes, Tarentola mauritanica, Trimmatostroma sp. and Wallago attu. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Alburnoides fasciatus, Alburnoides kubanicus, Alburnoides maculatus, Alburnoides ohridanus, Alburnoides prespensis, Alburnoides rossicus, Alburnoides strymonicus, Alburnoides thessalicus, Alburnoides tzanevi, Carassius carassius, Fusarium asiaticum, Leucaspius delineatus, Loxigilla noctis dominica, Pelecus cultratus, Phoenix canariensis, Potamotrygon falkneri, Trachycarpus fortune and Vimba vimba.

The clinical features of macular pucker formation after pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and predisposing factors of macular pucker formation after pars plana vitrectomy in patients who developed primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 284 eyes in 284 patients who underwent primary retinal detachment repair by pars plana vitrectomy alone between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Patients with a history of retinal surgery or another visually significant ocular problem were excluded. RESULTS: Postoperatively, of the 264 eyes that completed at least six months of follow-up, 16 (6.1%) eyes developed obvious macular pucker at clinical examination. Of these 16 eyes, ten (70.0%) underwent repeat vitrectomy with membrane peeling for macular pucker removal during the follow-up period. The mean time from primary vitrectomy for the retinal reattachment to the secondary vitrectomy with membrane peeling for macular pucker was 7.9 months. The mean improvement in vision after membrane peeling surgery was 0.37 (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). Using an independent t-test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U-test, we found that the number or size of retinal break and vitreous hemorrhage could be significant risk factors of macular pucker. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, 6.1% of eyes which underwent pars plana vitrectomy alone for primary retinal detachment developed a postoperative macular epiretinal membrane. Multiple or large retinal breaks and postoperative vitreous hemorrhage were related to macular pucker formation. Overall, the 70.0% of eyes which underwent secondary vitrectomy with membrane peeling for removal of macular pucker showed a favorable visual outcome.

WITHDRAWN: Effects of saponin supplementation diet on hematological, biochemical, and immunological responses in Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio alginolyticus.

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WITHDRAWN: Dietary supplementation of Artemisia capillaris on immunity in Paralichthys olivaceus against Edwardsiella tarda.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

Non-specific immune response and disease resistance induced by Siegesbeckia glabrescens against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Epinephelus bruneus.

The immunomodulatory effect of Siegesbeckia glabrescens extract-supplementation diets on innate immune response and disease resistance of kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio parahaemolyticus at weeks 1, 2, and 4 is reported. The serum lysozyme activity was significantly enhanced with any enriched diet from weeks 1-4 when compared to control diet (0%). The alternative complement haemolytic activities significantly were enhanced with all enriched diets on weeks 2 and 4 whereas the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly enhanced only with 1.0% and 2.0% diets. The reactive nitrogen intermediate (RNI) value was significantly enhanced with any enriched diet on weeks 2 and 4, but on first week it did not differ from control. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) production significantly increased with 1.0% and 2.0% diets from second week onwards; with other enriched diets the increase manifested on fourth week; but during first week it did not vary from that of the control with any enriched diet. The protection in terms of cumulative mortality was the least being 25% and 20% when fed with 1.0% and 2.0% diets. The present results indicate that feeding kelp grouper with S. glabrescens extract enriched diet at 1.0% and 2.0% levels significantly enhance the immunological parameters, increase the disease resistance and minimize the cumulative mortality in E. bruneus against V. parahaemolyticus.

Poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated vaccine on immune system in Epinephelus bruneus against Uronema marinum.

We investigate the efficacy of poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-encapsulated vaccine on innate and adaptive immune response in kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) against Uronema marinum at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The respiratory burst (RB) activity, complement activity, and α2-macroglobulin were significantly enhanced in fish immunization with vaccine on week 4 whereas vaccine and PLGA-encapsulated vaccine from weeks 1 to 4. The serum lysozyme activity, antiprotease activity, and antibody level were significantly enhanced in fish immunized with vaccine and PLGA-encapsulated vaccine on weeks 2 and 4. The cumulative mortality was low in PLGA-encapsulated vaccine with 20% whereas high in PLGA and vaccine with 40% and 30%. The results from the present study suggest that PLGA-encapsulated vaccine is useful for further design of immunoprophylatic nano formulation against scuticociliatosis.

Poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid-liposome encapsulated ODN on innate immunity in Epinephelus bruneus against Vibrio alginolyticus.

The efficacy of poly D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-liposome (L) encapsulated oligodeoxynucleotides with unmethylated deoxycytidyl-deoxyguanosine motifs (CpG-ODNs) on innate and adaptive immune response and disease resistance in kelp grouper (Epinephelus bruneus) against Vibrio alginolyticus at weeks 1, 2, and 4 is reported. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), respiratory burst, and lysozyme activities significantly increased in E. bruneus when immunized with ODN, PLGA+ODN, L+ODN, and PLGA+L+ODN on weeks 2 and 4. The serum complement activity was significantly enhanced with L+ODN and PLGA+L+ODN on week 1 while it increased with PLGA+ODN, L+ODN, and PLGA+L+ODN on weeks 2 and 4. The antibody titre consistently was increased with PLGA or L encapsulated with ODN (PLGA+ODN, L+ODN, and PLGA+L+ODN) from weeks 1 to 4. The cumulative mortality was 20% each in PLGA+ODN administered groups and 15% each in ODN, L+ODN, and PLGA+L+ODN groups during a period of 30 days. The present study suggests that PLGA-liposome encapsulated ODN has the potential to modulate the immune system and can serve as a useful tool for further design of immunoprophylatic nano drug formulations against bacterial diseases.

Effect of dietary supplementation with Suaeda maritima on blood physiology, innate immune response, and disease resistance in olive flounder against Miamiensis avidus.

The effect of Suaeda maritima enriched diet on blood physiology, innate immune response, and disease resistance in olive flounder Paralichythys olivaceus against Miamiensis avidus on weeks 1, 2, and 4 was investigated. Feeding with any enriched diet and then challenging with M. avidus significantly increased white blood cells (WBC) on weeks 2 and 4; the red blood cells (RBC) significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% enriched diets on week 4. The hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Ht) levels significantly increased when fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets on weeks 2 and 4. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV) did not significantly vary with any diet and time; however the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) significantly increased with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets on weeks 2 and 4. The leukocytes such as lymphocytes (Lym), monocytes (Mon), neutrophils (Neu) and biochemical parameters such as total protein (TP), glucose (GLU), and calcium (CAL) levels significantly increased in 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diet fed groups on weeks 2 and 4. The serum lysozyme activity was significantly enhanced in 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diet fed groups from weeks 1 to 4 when compared to the control (0% herbal extract enriched diet). The scuticocidal activity and respiratory burst activity were significantly enhanced when fish were fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplementation diets from weeks 2 and 4. The protective effect in terms of cumulative mortality (50% and 40%) was low in groups on being fed with 0.1% and 1.0% supplemented diet. Therefore the present study suggested that 0.1% and 1.0% S. maritime-supplemented diets protect the hematological and biochemical parameters, improving the innate immunity, affording protection disease from M. avidus infection in olive flounder.

Inonotus obliquus containing diet enhances the innate immune mechanism and disease resistance in olive flounder Paralichythys olivaceus against Uronema marinum.

The present study describes the effect of diet supplementation with Chaga mushroom, Inonotus obliquus extract at 0%, 0.01%, 0.1%, and 1.0% levels on the innate humoral (lysozyme, antiprotease, and complement), cellular responses (production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and myeloperoxidase), and disease resistance in olive flounder, Paralichythys olivaceus against Uronema marinum. The lysozyme activity and complement activity significantly increased in each diet on weeks 2 and 4 against pathogen. The serum antiprotease activity and reactive nitrogen intermediates production significantly increased in fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% diets from weeks 1-4. However, reactive oxygen species production and myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased in 1.0% and 2.0% diets on weeks 2 and 4. In fish fed with 0.1% and 1.0% diets and challenged with U. marinum the cumulative mortality was 50% and 40% while in 0% and 0.01% diets the mortality was 85% and 55%. The results clearly indicate that supplementation diet with I. obliquus at 0.1% and 1.0% level positively enhance the immune system and confer disease resistance which may be potentially used as an immunoprophylactic in finfish culture.

Dietary supplementation with chitin and chitosan on haematology and innate immune response in Epinephelus bruneus against Philasterides dicentrarchi.

The present study investigated the effect of 1.0% chitin and chitosan supplementation diets on haematology and immune response in Kelp grouper, Epinephelus bruneus against protozoan parasite, Philasterides dicentrarchi. The red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), haemoglobin levels, lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils significantly increased in kelp grouper fed with chitin or chitosan enriched diets against P. dicentrarchi. The mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and thrombocytes did not significantly change against pathogen. The phagocytic activity, respiratory burst activity, complement activity, antiprotease activity, and α2-macroglobulin were significantly enhanced in fish fed with 1% chitin and chitosan diet on weeks 2 and 4. The lysozyme activity, total protein, and myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased in fish fed with chitin or chitosan supplementation diet from weeks 1 to 4 against pathogen. The cumulative mortality was found low in fish fed with chitin and chitosan enriched diets than those of control against pathogen. The present study suggests that supplementation of 1.0% chitin or chitosan in diets positively enhances immune response and affords disease resistance in kelp grouper, E. bruneus against P. dicentrarchi infection.