Marine fish diversity and nutritional insights from the East Coast of India

Diversity of Marine Fish of India

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDY OF VIRAL NERVOUS NECROSIS (VNN) IN MALAYSIAN GROUPERS: SEQUENCE ANALYSIS STRATEGIES AND QUASISPECIES DETERMINANT’S

A focused review on the use of LHRHa in induced breeding of fishes in India was made. Use of LHRHa is mainly restricted to high value brackish water and marine fish species whose market value generally exceeds INR 300-400/kg (USD 4.5-6/kg). Published information on use of LHRHa in induced breeding of fishes in India could document only twelve species out of which nine were brackishwater or marine fish. Besides length and weight, the egg diameter of female fishes (>0.45–0.7 mm) is an important criterion for treating the fishes with LHRHa. LHRHa is either used alone or in combination with HCG (most popular), PGE, 17α-MT and Pimozide. Dosage of 20-70 µg/kg body weight for females and 10-40 µg/kg body weight for males with a latency period of 24-36 hours is most common in India. Experiments with LHRHa are being carried out mainly by ICAR-CIBA, Chennai (dominant) and ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi. Standardization and optimization of LHRHa dosage has been attained in Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer), Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and Spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) while in Grouper (Epinephelus tauvina), Moonfish (Monodactylus argenteus), Milk fish (Chanos chanos), Crescent Bass (Terapon jarbua) and Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii), it is under progress.

A focused review on the use of LHRHa in induced breeding of fishes in India was made. Use of LHRHa is mainly restricted to high value brackish water and marine fish species whose market value generally exceeds INR 300-400/kg (USD 4.5-6/kg). Published information on use of LHRHa in induced breeding of fishes in India could document only twelve species out of which nine were brackishwater or marine fish. Besides length and weight, the egg diameter of female fishes (>0.45–0.7 mm) is an important criterion for treating the fishes with LHRHa. LHRHa is either used alone or in combination with HCG (most popular), PGE, 17α-MT and Pimozide. Dosage of 20-70 µg/kg body weight for females and 10-40 µg/kg body weight for males with a latency period of 24-36 hours is most common in India. Experiments with LHRHa are being carried out mainly by ICAR-CIBA, Chennai (dominant) and ICAR-CMFRI, Kochi. Standardization and optimization of LHRHa dosage has been attained in Asian Seabass (Lates calcarifer), Cobia (Rachycentron canadum), Grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) and Spotted scat (Scatophagus argus) while in Grouper (Epinephelus tauvina), Moonfish (Monodactylus argenteus), Milk fish (Chanos chanos), Crescent Bass (Terapon jarbua) and Silver Pompano (Trachinotus blochii), it is under progress.

Fish is a well-recognized cause of food allergy and anaphylaxis. The evolutionary and taxonomic diversity of the various consumed fish species pose a challenge in the identification and characterization of the major fish allergens critical for reliable diagnostics. Globally, fish is a rising cause of food allergy complicated by a large under-investigated variety of species as well as increasing global tourism and trade. This is the first comprehensive study on allergen profiles of heat-processed fish from Vietnam. The aim of this study was to identify the major heat-stable allergens from frequently exported Asia-Pacific freshwater and marine fish and to characterize the major allergen parvalbumin (PV) from one of the most consumed and exported fish species from Asia, the Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta). Heated protein extracts from 33 fish species were separated by gel electrophoresis. PV isoforms were identified by immunoblotting utilizing 3 different PV-specific monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies and further characterized by mass spectrometry. IgE reactivity was investigated using sera from 21 patients with confirmed fish allergy. Heat-stable IgE-reactive PVs, with up to 5 isoforms per species, were identified in all 33 analysed fish species. In the Indian mackerel, 7 PV isoforms were identified by 2D-gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometric analyses. The amino acid sequence deduced from cDNA of the most expressed isoform showed a high identity (>90%) to PVs from 2 other mackerel species. Different PVs were identified as the major heat-stable allergens in all 33 analysed freshwater and marine fish species from Vietnam, many of which are exported world-wide and 21 species that have never been investigated before. The Indian mackerel PV represents a novel fish allergen, now officially registered as Rask1. Improved diagnostics for fish allergy against Asia-Pacific species should be developed with focus on PV.

For decades, changes in fish catch composition and the marine environment have been monitored worldwide and recorded in databases like FAO FishStatJ and the European Union Copernicus Marine Service. However, the complexity and high variability in the dataset makes it challenging to find meaningful information through conventional data analytical methods. Therefore, in this pilot data mining study, we employed association rule mining algorithms (Apriori, ECLAT, and FP-Growth) to find frequently occurring itemsets in the fish-catch composition and marine environment data of the west and east coasts of India during the past decade (2011-2020). Firstly, the inherent spatial and temporal variations in fish-catch composition and marine environment (sea surface temperature and chlorophyll) on the west and east coasts of India were statistically analyzed and described. Then, the data were preprocessed, selected, and transformed into categorical attributes. By applying the association rule mining algorithms written in the Python language in the Google Colab workspace, we obtained frequent itemsets of fish catch and marine environment with different levels of minimum support and confidence. The preliminary results showed linear and inverse associations between changes in the sea surface temperature, chlorophyll concentration, and major catch groups, such as anchovies, Indian oil sardine, Indian mackerel, hairtails, butterfish-pomfrets, Bombay duck, flatfish, tunas, giant tiger prawn, crabs, lobsters, and cephalopods. Among the tested data mining algorithms, FP-Growth was found to be more efficient and reliable in finding associations between the spatiotemporal dynamics of the marine environment and fish distribution and abundance. Therefore, it can be potentially used to support marine fisheries? resource assessment and management strategies after refinement.

Trace metals are naturally occurring metals found in very small concentrations in the environment. In the context of fish flesh, metals such as copper, calcium, potassium, sodium, zinc, iron, and manganese are absorbed by fish and play vital roles in various physiological functions. However, if these metals exceed the recommended limits set by WHO/FAO, they are termed 'toxic metals' due to their harmful impacts on both the fish and its consumers. Therefore, the present study aims to analyze the levels of protein, lipids, and certain metals—Aluminum (Al), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), and Calcium (Ca) in three commercially important marine fishes i.e. Rastrelliger kanagurta, Sardinella abella, and Otolithes ruber. The study also aims to assess their potential impact on human health. The macro-Kjeldhal method and Soxhlet apparatus were used to estimate protein and lipid contents, while atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to estimate trace metals found in fishes. The study found that these fish species are valuable sources of protein, lipids, and certain essential minerals. The protein content (CP) in these three species ranged from 63.35 to 86.57%, while lipid content was from 21.05 to 23.86%. The overall results of the trace metal concentrations analyzed in the present study revealed that Aluminum (Al), Sodium (Na), Zinc (Zn), Titanium (Ti), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), and Calcium (Ca) were found in low concentration or traces and also within suitable ranges as set by WHO/FAO. However, Iron (Fe) was absent in all three species. Moreover, both copper and potassium were found in all three species, while Zinc was present in Rastrelliger kanagurta and Sardinella abella, calcium in Sardinella abella, and sodium in Otolithes ruber only. Titanium was recorded for the first time in S. abella. However, the total health risk assessment associated with these fish food consumption was measured by THQ and TTHQ and found to be less than 1, which shows no potential risk related to trace metals found in these fishes on human health upon their consumption. In conclusion, these commercially important marine fish species were found valuable sources of protein, lipids, and essential trace minerals that are necessary for human health. Thus, the current study provides useful information for the local population to make informed decisions about their daily diets and highlights the importance of sustainable fishing practices to maintain these valuable marine resources by periodical monitoring of their ecosystem.

The measurement of bisphenol A and its analogues, perfluorinated compounds in twenty species of freshwater and marine fishes, a time-trend comparison and human health based assessment

Simple SummaryDetour behavior refers to the ability to reach a goal object that is not directly accessible due to an obstacle (opaque or transparent) by circumventing it. It varies among species, suggesting that environmental adaptation may drive insight behavior. Some species of marine and freshwater fish were placed in a corridor with social stimuli at the end, not directly accessible due to an opaque barrier. Two symmetrical apertures positioned midline in the corridor allowed the fish to temporarily abandon the view of the goal and attempt to circumvent the barrier. All fish showed the ability to move around an interposed obstacle. This is the first evidence of detour behavior in marine fishes within the “four-compartment box task”, while results in freshwater fishes confirmed previous evidence. The comparable performance of marine and freshwater fishes suggests similar selective ecological pressure even in different aquatic habitats (e.g., sea and freshwater basins). Moreover, different exploratory behaviors emerged between correct and incorrect compartments (particularly in Danio rerio), providing evidence for a possible mental representation or “permanence in existence” of the goal while performing the obstacle circumvention, as opposed to a more parsimonious idea suggesting that the detour ability emerges only from primitive forms of exploratory behavior such as taxis.Evidence of detour ability to reach a salient goal in marine fishes (Chromis viridis, Chrysiptera parasema, Dascyllus aruanus) and freshwater fishes (Xenotoca eiseni, Danio rerio) has been observed using a “four-compartment box task” with an opaque barrier. The first experiment investigated this ability in marine fishes (Chromis viridis, Chrysiptera parasema, Dascyllus aruanus). Fish were placed in a four-compartment box, with social stimuli not accessible due to an opaque barrier. Two symmetrical apertures midline in the corridor allowed the fish to temporarily abandon the goal’s view and attempt to circumvent the barrier. Marine fish showed searching behavior in the two compartments near the social stimuli. In the second experiment, the detour abilities of a marine fish (Dascyllus aruanus) and two freshwater fishes (Xenotoca eiseni, Danio rerio) were compared using a modified version of the apparatus, with elongated compartments continuing further from the obstacle barrier and social stimuli. This enabled the evaluation of the dependence on effective distance to achieve the social goal. Both marine and freshwater fish exhibited detour skills. Additionally, Danio rerio’s differential spatial explorations inside compartments supported an active interest in searching for conspecifics, suggesting possible social object permanence retention. Overall, these results highlight the ecological salience of detour skills in fishes, irrespective of species-specific adaptations.

The coastline of Brazil stretches approximately 8400 km, with a continental shelf area of 822,800 km2 and a declared exclusive economic zone of approximately 4.5 million km2. Mangroves are the dominant coastal vegetation, particularly in the north of the country, covering an area of 13,400 km2, accounting for 8% of the global mangrove cover. Common marine fish include sardines, corvinas, snappers, croakers, tunas, lobsters and shrimp. In 2005, 750,000 t were landed, including 60,000 t of molluscs and crustaceans (predominantly shrimp). Fishing is practised on both a small scale and an industrial scale. Fish production has decreased from about 1 million t to the low current numbers in the past two decades, an indication of the overexploitation of these resources. Long-term management plans are urgently required, taking into consideration the life cycles of the fish, to guarantee sustainable utilization of the resources by the local population. Juveniles of many marine fish species use estuarine nursery habitats before moving as adult populations to the coastal waters. However, data on numbers of individuals from the exploited populations, which spend their early life in the different estuaries, are lacking. Thus, it is not known whether all estuaries contribute equally to maintaining local stocks or if adult stocks in the coastal waters rely on recruitment from only one estuary or a number of estuaries. This question has significant implications for coastal management and land-ocean exchange processes. Connectivity studies, using biogeochemical signals on fish otoliths, will contribute to our understanding of the relationships between populations of marine and estuarine fish species and their population dynamics, and will help to distinguish between open and closed populations, information which is essential for stock assessment purposes and the design of marine and coastal protected areas. The findings will help clarify if the different estuaries are habitat patches inhabited by metapopulations. As human activity continues to impact and eliminate natural habitats, the mangrove forest being a prime example, understanding the spatial connectivity between juvenile and adult populations becomes increasingly important. Connectivity is likely to depend not only on the distance between the habitats of two life-history stages, but also on the presence of movement corridors or stepping stones of natural habitats.

Background and Aim:Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a marine bacterium commonly associated with foodborne illnesses due to the consumption of contaminated seafood. Understanding its prevalence in both fish meat and human infections is crucial for public health. This study aimed to estimate the occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus in human stool and fish meat samples while analyzing seasonal and species-specific variations in the Al-Hodeidah governorate.Materials and Methods:A total of 225 samples were collected, including 75 human stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and 150 fish meat samples from five fish species commonly consumed in the region. Standard microbiological methods were used for the isolation and identification of V. parahaemolyticus, including culture on Thiosulfate–Citrate–Bile Salts–Sucrose (TCBS) agar, biochemical tests, and growth analysis in varying NaCl concentrations. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 12, applying the Chi-square test for group comparisons with a significance level of p ≤ 0.05.Results:The overall occurrence of V. parahaemolyticus was 7.1%. Human stool samples had a occurrence of 6.7%, while fish meat samples had a slightly higher occurrence of 7.3%. The highest monthly occurrence in human samples was recorded in July (15.0%), while the highest fish contamination was detected in September (12.0%). Among fish species, Rastrelliger kanagurta (Bagah) had the highest contamination rate (20.0%), followed by Scomberomorus commerson (Dairak) at 13.3%, whereas no V. parahaemolyticus isolates were found in Dasyatis kuhlii (Safon) and Rachycentron canadum (Sakalah).Conclusion:The findings confirm the presence of V. parahaemolyticus in both human and fish meat samples, highlighting seasonal variations and species-specific differences. The peak occurrence in fish during warm months suggests a potential link between higher temperatures and bacterial prevalence. Improved seafood handling, monitoring, and public health awareness are essential to mitigate the risk of foodborne infections. Further research is needed to explore genetic determinants of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in local isolates.

This study compares the chemical composition of cockle (Anadara granosa) and some commercially important marine (Asian seabass Lates calcarifer, grouper Epinephelus bleekeri, hardtail scad Megalaspis cordyla, longtail tuna Thunnus tonggol and Indian mackerel Rastrelliger kanagurta) and freshwater (sutchi catfish Pangasius hypophthalmus, Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus and eel Monopterus albus) fishes in Peninsular Malaysia. The results show that the proximate composition and trace metal content were significantly different (P < 0.05) among species investigated. The mean protein content was the highest in eel (19.1%) and the lowest in sutchi catfish (13.0%) and cockle (13.0%). The mean lipid content of Indian mackerel (3.9%) was higher than cockle (2.0%), followed by eel (1.3%) and longtail tuna (0.8%). The mean ash content was the highest in Indian mackerel (1.4%) and the lowest in cockle (0.9%). Zinc and manganese contents in cockle (Zn: 61.2 mg kg−1, Mn: 22.7 mg kg−1) were very high compared to other species investigated. The copper content was minimum in sutchi catfish (1.0 mg kg−1) and a maximum in the hardtail scad (11.7 mg kg−1). Trace metal content in sutchi catfish, Nile tilapia, grouper, longtail tuna, eel and cockle followed an order Zn > Mn > Cu, whereas Asian seabass, hardtail scad and Indian mackerel followed a different order Zn > Cu > Mn. Trace metal content in the tissue of the fishes examined was within safe limits for human consumption except Mn content in the cockle and Cu content in the hardtail scad, which is a matter of concern. When considering the daily fish fat, mineral and trace metal intake, marine fishes and shellfish are better than freshwater fishes.

Ultraviolet avoidance by embryonic buoyancy control in three species of marine fish

Three species of marine fish were collected from the waters around Seribu Islands, near Jakarta, Indonesia, and examined for nematode larvae of the family Anisakidae. Larvae were found in 719 (49%) of 1.459 Rastrelliger kanagurta, 445 (50%) of 884 Decapterus russelli, and 217 (41%) of 531 Sardinella sirm. Larvae from a subsample of 150 infected fish, 44 R. kanagurta, 86 D. russelli, and 20 S. sirm, were examined microscopically and only Anisakis type I and Terranova type B larvae were found. In all three species of fish the Anisakis larvae predominated. The Anisakis larvae found in these fish are a potential source of infection for humans in Indonesia; however, human anisakiasis has not yet been reported from this country.

Heavy metal pollution in marine fish has become an important worldwide concern, not only because of the threat to fish in general, but also due to human health risks associated with fish consumption. To investigate the occurrence of heavy metals in marine fish species from the South China Sea, 14 fish species were collected along the coastline of Hainan China during the spring of 2012 and examined for species- and tissue-specific accumulation. The median concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb and As in muscle tissue of the examined fish species were not detectable (ND), 2.02, 0.24, 2.64, 0.025, and 1.13 mg kg(-1) wet weight, respectively. Levels of Cu, Zn, Cd and Cr were found to be higher in the liver and gills than in muscle, while Pb was preferentially accumulated in the gills. Differing from other heavy metals, As did not exhibit tissue-specific accumulation. Inter-species differences of heavy metal accumulation were attributed to the different habitat and diet characteristics of marine fish. Human dietary exposure assessment suggested that the amounts of both Cr and As in marine wild fish collected from the sites around Hainan, China were not compliant with the safety standard of less than 79.2 g d(-1) for wild marine fish set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Further research to identify the explicit sources of Cr and As in marine fish from South China Sea should be established.