Dietary Soybean Lecithin Research Articles

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on growth, tissue fatty acid composition, and gonadal development in the hermaphroditic rice field eel (Monopterus albus)

This study investigates the effects of soybean lecithin (SL) on the growth, fatty acid composition, lipid metabolism, and gonadal development of rice field eels. Fourteen-month-old eels were fed either fish oil diets or varying levels of dietary soybean lecithin (0 %, 1.4 %, and 2.8 %) for 10 weeks. Dietary SL had no significant impact on growth, whereas 1.4 % SL led to a significant decrease in moisture content and an increase in crude protein content in eels. The content of both saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids increased in muscles fed the higher SL diet, with a concurrent decline in saturated fatty acids and an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids detected in the liver. The expression levels of genes related to lipid synthesis, including accα and PPARγ, and genes related to polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis, such as pla2g4a, fad2 and scd, were significantly increased in the liver of eels fed with 1.4 % SL diet. SL supplementation enhances lipid transport and antioxidant capacity in the liver, reduces fat deposition, and protects the liver from damage. Hepatosomatic index of fish in the SL1.4 % and SL2.8 % groups decreased. Supplementation of the diet with 1.4 % SL led to a significant decrease in the content of saturated fatty acids and an increase in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the gonads, with a significant increase in arachidonic acid levels. The gonadosomatic index also increased with increasing dietary SL content. Rice field eels fed diets containing SL exhibited elevated serum levels of E2, delayed ovary-to-testis transition, and a preference for retaining the female state. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with SL increased the proportion of highly unsaturated fatty acids in the tissues, enhanced lipid metabolism in the liver, and improved antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, SL supplementation has been demonstrated to promote ovarian development and delay sex reversal in rice field eels.

Dietary soybean lecithin promoted growth performance and feeding in juvenile Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) could be by optimizing glucolipid metabolism.

To explore the potential benefits of dietary phospholipids (PLs) in fish glucose metabolism and to promote feed culture of Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi), we set up six diets to feed Chinese perch (initial mean body weight 37.01 ± 0.20 g) for 86 days, including: Control diet (CT), 1% (SL1), 2% (SL2), 3% (SL3), 4% (SL4) soybean lecithin (SL) and 2% (KO2) krill oil (KO) supplemental diets (in triplicate, 20 fish each). Our study found that the SL2 significantly improved the weight gain rate and special growth rate, but the KO2 did not. In addition, the SL2 diet significantly improved feed intake, which is consistent with the mRNA levels of appetite-related genes (npy, agrp, leptin A). Additionally, in the CT and SL-added groups, leptin A expression levels were nearly synchronized with serum glucose levels. Besides, the SL2 significantly upregulated expression levels of glut2, gk, cs, fas and downregulated g6pase in the liver, suggesting that it may enhance glucose uptake, aerobic oxidation, and conversion to fatty acids. The SL2 also maintained the hepatic crude lipid content unchanged compared to the CT, possibly by significantly down-regulating the mRNA level of hepatic lipase gene (hl), and by elevating serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) level and intraperitoneal fat ratio in significance. Moreover, the serum high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased by PL supplementation, and the SL2 further significantly increased serum total cholesterol and LDL levels, suggesting that dietary PLs promote lipid absorption and transport. Furthermore, dietary SL at 1% level could enhance non-specific immune capacity, with serum total protein level being markedly higher than that in the CT group. In conclusion, it is speculated that the promotion of glucose utilization and appetite by 2% dietary SL could be linked. We suggest a 1.91% supplementation of SL in the diet for the best growth performance in juvenile Chinese perch.

Dietary Soybean Lecithin Improves Growth, Immunity, Antioxidant Capability and Intestinal Barrier Functions in Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides Juveniles.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) on the growth, haematological indices, immunities, antioxidant capabilities, and inflammatory and intestinal barrier functions because little information of dietary SBL could be obtained in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). The fish were fed identical diets except for SBL added at 0, 2, 4 and 8%. It was found that 4 and 8% SBL significantly increased fish weight gain and daily growth rate (p < 0.05), while 4% SBL was optimal for enhancing RBC, HGB, PLT, MCV, MCH, WBC and MON in blood, and ALB and ALP in serum (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) also significantly elevated the antioxidant enzymes activities of T-SOD, CAT, GR, GPx, GST and T-AOC and GSH contents; increased mRNA transcription levels of Nrf2, Cu/Zn-SOD, CAT, GR, GST3 and GPx3; and decreased MDA contents. Keap1a and Keap1b levels were markedly down-regulated (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) significantly enhanced levels of the immune factors (ACP, LZM and C3) and the mRNA expression levels of innate immune-related genes (C3, C4, CFD, HEPC and MHC-I) compared with the control groups (0%) (p < 0.05). SBL (4%) significantly increased IgM and T-NOS in the intestine (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1β and IFN-γ and increased TGF-β1 at both transcription and protein levels in the liver and intestine (p < 0.05). The mRNA expression levels of MAPK13, MAPK14 and NF-κB P65 were significantly decreased in the intestine in the 4% SBL groups (p < 0.05). Histological sections also demonstrated that 4% SBL protected intestinal morphological structures compared with controls. This included increased intestinal villus height and muscular thickness (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of the intestinal epithelial cell tight junction proteins (TJs) (ZO-1, claudin-3, claudin-4, claudin-5, claudin-23 and claudin-34) and mucin-5AC were significantly up-regulated in the 4% SBL groups compared with the controls (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggested that 4% dietary SBL could not only improve growth, haematological indices, antioxidant capabilities, immune responses and intestinal functions, but also alleviate inflammatory responses, thereby providing reference information for the feed formulations in cultured largemouth bass.

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on growth performances, body composition, serum biochemical parameters, digestive and metabolic abilities in largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides

We conducted an 8-week feeding trial to explore the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) on growth performance and metabolic abilities in juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides. The addition of 4 % SBL to the feed significantly increases the specific growth rate (SGR), carcass ratio (CR) and crude protein in the fish body and muscle compared with control groups (0 %) (P < 0.05). However, 4 % SBL significant declines contents of total glucose, total bile acids and blood urea nitrogen and activities of ALT and AST in the serum compared with controls (P < 0.05). And 4 % SBL markedly increased contents of serum hormones involved in metabolism and food intake including adiponectin, agouti-related peptide, apelin and insulin (P < 0.05), while decreased cholecystokinin contents compared with controls (P < 0.05). Lipase and amylase activities in the liver and intestine were both significantly increased in 4 % and 8 % SBL groups (P < 0.05). 4 % and 8 % SBL could heighten the enzyme’s activities and genes’ mRNA levels involved in glycolysis (GCK, PFK, PK, MDH) and glycogen synthase (GS) compared with controls (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, contents of AC-CoA and glycogen in the fish liver were also significantly increased in 4 % and 8 % SBL groups compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, the activities and mRNA levels of G6P and PEPCK were not influenced in the liver of tested fish fed with 4 % SBL compared with controls (P > 0.05). In addition, 4 % SBL elevated activities and mRNA levels of FAS in the fish liver compared with controls (P < 0.05). Similarly, 4 % SBL increased the transcriptional levels of genes involved in triglycerides (TG) synthesis (GK, GPAT3 and DGAT2) and lipid transport (FATP1, CD36, APOB100 and FABP10) in the fish liver compared with controls (P < 0.05). Moreover, the mRNA expression levels of up-stream regulatory elements involved in metabolic signal processing (AKT1, mTOR, SREBP1 and PPARγ) were also markedly heightened in fish fed 4 % SBL compared with controls (P < 0.05). Together with these results, it indicated 4 % dietary SBL could increase growth and digestive abilities, improve serum biochemical indicators and hormones, promote glycolysis and glycogen synthesis, and facilitate lipid synthesis and transport in juvenile largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides.

Effects of Soybean Lecithin on Growth Performance, Intestine Morphology, and Liver Tissue Metabolism in Rock Bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) Larvae

Investigations have demonstrated a strong and positive association between dietary intact phospholipid (PL) inclusion and aquatic larval growth, nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanism underlying PL inclusion on growth performance has not been well elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SL) inclusion on growth performance, liver metabolism, resistance to hypoxia stress, and potential molecular mechanisms in rock bream (Oplegnathus fasciatus) larvae. Four types of equal-protein and equal-lipid content microdiets (MDs) were formulated with graded levels of SL to achieve phospholipid levels of (PLs, dry matter) 3.84% (SL0), 6.71% (SL4), 9.38% (SL8), and 12.21% (SL12). Rock bream larvae (25 days post-hatching) were fed the respective MDs for 30 days with three replicates. We found that dietary SL inclusion promoted growth performance, survival rate, and stress resistance to hypoxia stress. The increased dietary SL inclusion improved intestinal structure, as shown by the increased perimeter ratio, muscular thickness, and mucosal fold height of the mid-intestinal tissue. Moreover, a high SL inclusion diet (SL12) increased the activity of the key lipolysis-related enzyme (lipase [LP]) in liver tissue but decreased the activity of amino acid catabolism-related enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]). RNA sequencing results in liver tissue revealed that the SL12 diet increased the transcriptional level of fatty acid activation-related genes (acsl6 and acsbg2), phospholipid catabolism-related genes (acat2, lpin2, and crls), and amino acid synthesis-related genes (gs, csb, aldh18a1, and oct), but decreased the expression of amino acid catabolism-related gene gprt2. Notably, the SL12 diet significantly increased the expression of ribosome biogenesis-related genes (pes1, nop56, nop58, and rpf2) in liver tissue. The ribosome protein-related pathways were the most enriched pathways mapped in the GO database. Collectively, this study demonstrated the necessity of dietary SL for survival, growth performance, promotion of mid-intestinal morphology, and hypoxia stress during the rock bream larval stage. The SL-induced growth performance promotion was likely attributed to increasing nutrient acquisition by intestinal morphology improvement and to increasing SL catabolism and thereby sparing amino acids for protein synthesis.

Dietary soybean lecithin inclusion promotes growth, development, and intestinal morphology of yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) larvae

This study aimed to investigate the potential molecular mechanisms through which dietary soybean lecithin inclusion affects the growth, development, and intestinal morphology of yellow drum (Nibea albiflora) larvae. Four types of equal-protein and equal-lipid content microdiets (MDs) were formulated with graded levels of phospholipids (%, dry matter): 3.84 (SL0), 6.71 (SL4), 9.38 (SL8), and 12.21 (SL12). Larvae (25 days post-hatching; initial body weight 5.0 mg) were fed four replicates of MDs or Artemia nauplii (live prey) daily for 28 days. We found that dietary soybean lecithin inclusion promoted the growth performance, dorsal fin appearance rate, and body-color transition to juvenile-type in yellow drum larvae. Intestinal histological analysis confirmed that dietary supplementation with soybean lecithin prevented the appearance of vacuoles in enterocytes and increased the goblet cells as well as the perimeter ratio, muscular thickness, and mucosal fold height of the mid-intestinal tissue. Transmission and scanning electron microscopic analyses of the mid-intestine revealed that insufficient soybean lecithin inclusion decreased microvillus density and length and secretory vesicle production. Unique molecular identifier-RNA sequencing revealed that the improvement in intestinal morphology caused by dietary optimal soybean lecithin inclusion could be attributed to increased fatty acid β-oxidation and subsequent energy production in the intestinal tissue. Compared with the larvae fed with MDs, those fed with live prey experienced body-color transition retardation and a considerable fecal adhesion rate. The significantly decreased expression of genes encoding chemokines could attribute to the high fecal adhesion rate. Collectively, the findings of this study demonstrated the necessity of dietary soybean lecithin for the growth, development, and promotion of mid-intestinal morphology during the N. albiflora larval stage. The promotion of mid-intestinal morphology was likely caused by the resulting increased energy supply to enterocytes. Weaning larvae from live prey to MDs promoted intestinal health and development performance.

Effect of dietary soybean lecithin on fish performance, hemato-immunological parameters, lipid biochemistry, antioxidant status, digestive enzymes activity and intestinal histomorphometry of pre-spawning Caspian brown trout (Salmo trutta caspius)

A feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) supplementation on performance, hemato-immunological parameters, lipid biochemistry, antioxidant status, digestive enzymes activity and intestinal histomorphometry of Caspian brown trout, Salmo trutta caspius in the pre-spawning stage. The basal diet was supplemented with 0% (control), 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% of SBL to obtain five experimental diets. Fish with an average weight of 350 ± 10 g were randomly distributed among five experimental groups and fed for 90 days. Dietary SBL resulted in better performance including specific growth rate (SGR), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p < 0.05). Among the different hemato-immunological parameters, white blood cell counts (WBC), lysozyme, alternative complement activity (ACH50) and total immunoglobulin (IgM) content of serum were significantly increased with dietary SBL inclusion (p < 0.05). For antioxidant enzymes, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) showed significant differences among various experimental diets (p < 0.05). Furthermore, digestive enzymes activity including alkaline protease, lipase and amylase were increased in those fish received SBL supplemented diets (p < 0.05). Our results revealed that the dietary SBL improved some physiological responses of the fish and indicate 6–9% dietary SBL supplementation would improve the physiological competence of the pre-spawning Caspian brown trout breeders.

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin oil on the immunoglobulin level and fat globule size of milk in lactating sows

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SL) on immune function and milk quality in lactating sows. The dietary treatments included a control group and three groups that replace soybean oil with 1%, 2% and 3% SL respectively in the diets. The weight of piglets at weaning and the average daily gain (ADG) were increased by supplementation of 3% SL (P < 0.05). The content of phisphatidylcholine in milk was increased by supplementation of 2% and 3% SL (P < 0.05), and the average diameter of milk fat globule was decreased by supplementation of 1%, 2% and 3% SL (P < 0.05). The immunoglobulin levels of milk and plasma were enhanced when 2% or 3% SL was added (P < 0.05). Collectively, dietary SL decreased the milk fat globule size and improved the content of phospholipid in milk, as well as enhanced the immunoglobulin levels in milk and plasma of sows and piglets.

Dietary soybean lecithin affects growth performance, fillet biochemical composition and digestive enzyme activity in Sparidentex hasta juvenile

ABSTRACT An eight-week study was conducted on silvery-black porgy (Sparidentex hasta) juveniles to evaluate four isoproteic, isolipidic and isoenergetic different diets (50% crude protein, 20% crude lipids, 18.5 MJ kg−1) containing graded levels of soybean lecithin (SBL) (0, 30, 60 and 90 g kg−1 diet) at the expense of fish oil (FO). Fish fed the 60 g SBL kg−1 diet had significantly higher weight gain (32.4%) and feed intake (8.8 g fish−1) than the control group (SBL 0) (P < 0.05). The fillet fatty acid (FA) profiles were correlated with the FA profile of the experimental diets. Fish fed with SBL-supplemented diets had higher fillet phosphatidylcholine levels than the control group (P < 0.05). Plasma total immunoglobulin was higher in fish fed 60 and 90 g SBL kg−1 diets than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Total protease activity was higher in fish fed the 90 g SLB kg−1 diet than other treatments (P < 0.05). Results indicated that substitution of dietary FO with SBL diet up to 67% (60 g SLB kg−1 diet) improved somatic growth performance and profoundly affected the fillet fatty acid profile in silvery-black porgy juveniles.

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on growth performance, blood chemistry and immunity in juvenile stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus)

An eleven weeks feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects of different levels of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) on growth performance, blood chemistry and immunity in juvenile stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus). Fish were fed seven isoproteic (44% crude protein) and isolipidic (17% crude fat) diets containing graded levels of SBL: 0 (control), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10%. Results showed that dietary SBL supplementation significantly improved the final body weight (BW) and weight gain (WG). Fish fed 6% SBL showed the highest BW and WG values in comparison to fish fed the control diet (P < 0.05), whereas increasing SBL levels above 6% had little practical benefit in terms of somatic growth performance. The inclusion of SBL in diets significantly improved the immune response as data from lysozyme, total Ig levels, alternative complement, phagocytic and bactericidal activities indicated (P < 0.05). The broken-line regression analysis of immunological variable revealed that depending on the parameter considered, the optimal SBL levels in diets for stellate sturgeon juveniles varied. In particular, dietary SBL levels requirements in stellate sturgeon when considering the phagocytic activity rate were determined at 3.3%, whereas 4.1–4.2% were recommended when considering data from lysozyme, alternative complement and bactericidal activities. In contrast, the highest minimum dietary SBL content was estimated at 6.9% when data from total Ig levels were considered. These results indicated that dietary PLs are required for boosting innate immunity in stellate sturgeon, although their minimal level changed depending on the immunological parameter considered. Therefore, we assume that SBL levels comprised between 3.3 and 6.9% may be used as a prophylactic measure to improve the health status in stellate sturgeon. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels increased with increasing dietary SBL levels, especially in those sturgeons fed the diet with 6% SBL (P < 0.05). In addition, white blood cell counts significantly increased as dietary SBL levels increased from 4 to 8% in comparison to the control group. Blood biochemistry was also affected by different dietary SBL levels. In particular, significantly higher levels of glucose, cholesterol, HDL and triglycerides were detected in fish fed >6%, >4%, >2% and 2% SBL, respectively (P < 0.05). Based on somatic growth parameters, blood chemistry and systemic immunity parameters, diets containing ca. 6% SBL are recommended for juvenile stellate sturgeon.

Dietary Soybean Lecithin Enhances Growth Performance, Feed Utilization Efficiency and Body Composition of Early Juvenile Milkfish, Chanos chanos

The study was conducted to evaluate the influence of dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) on the growth performance, feed utilization, and survival of early juvenile milkfish. Five experimental diets containing increasing levels of SBL (0 g, 0.75 g, 1.5 g, 3.0 g and 6.0 g/100 g diet) were formulated and fed to triplicate groups of early juvenile milkfish (≈ 9.0 mg) for 50 days. Results showed that dietary lecithin inclusion improved Weight Gain (WG), Specific Growth Rate (SGR), Survival, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) of milkfish juvenile. Polynomial regression analysis showed that the optimum dietary level of SBL to promote optimum growth in milkfish early juvenile is 3.56g/100g diet. Beyond this inclusion level, growth performance indices tend to decline. Higher carcass total protein and lipid contents were observed in treatment groups fed diets with optimum inclusion levels of SBL compared to the other treatments. Collectively the findings suggest that incorporating SBL at an optimum dose of 3.56g/100g diet enhances survival, overall growth performance, and improves carcass composition of early juvenile milkfish. Dietary SBL inclusion could be a practical approach in improving the efficiency of juvenile milkfish nursery production to meet the requirements of the expanding cage aquaculture production systems.

Effects of dietary phospholipid level and fraction on the feed intake of non-fish meal diet in yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck &amp; Schlegel, 1845

Three feeding studies were conducted to investigate whether dietary soybean lecithin (SBL) enhanced feed intake of non-fish meal, SPC-based diet, in yellowtail, and also to clarify which fraction of phospholipid (PL) was effective to enhance feed intake. In experiments 1 and 2, fish were fed SBL level at 0%–5%, and it was revealed that the daily feeding rate (DFR) of fish was significantly higher for SBL 2% than for SBL 0%, while a further increase of SBL in the diet did not additionally increase the DFR. Moreover, the DFR of fish fed a diet without feeding stimulants (FS) was the lowest among the dietary treatments, indicating that the SBL does not have an effect of enhancing feed intake in yellowtail. In experiment 3, fish were fed a diet with several products containing PL at 2%. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol concentrations in these products positively correlated to the DFR of fish. This result revealed that these two fractions in the SBL are effective for enhancing feed intake of yellowtail when FS is present in the diet.

Cloning, tissue expression of the fatty acid-binding protein (Pt-FABP1) gene, and effects of dietary phospholipid levels on fabp and vitellogenin gene expression in the female swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus

In the present study, the cDNA of fatty acid-binding protein (Pt-FABP1) from the hepatopancreas of swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) was cloned by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) approaches. The full-length cDNA of Pt-fabp1 was 730bp and encoded a 130 amino acids polypeptide that was highly homologous to related genes from other crustacean. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that Pt-fabp1 expression was detected in various tissues, and the highest expression levels was occurred in the hepatopancreas. The Pt-fabp1 expression levels in the ovary would depend on the stages of ovarian development, and the expression of Pt-fabp1 reached the maximum at the stage IV. The effects of dietary soybean lecithin (SL) on the Pt-fabp1 and vitellogenin (VTG) expression, and steroid hormones levels were investigated. After 16weeks of feeding, the results showed that the expression level of Pt-fabp1 in hepatopancreas and the content of progesterone (PG) in hemolymph did significantly increase with dietary SL supplementation up to 2% (P<0.05). Swimming crab fed the diet containing 4% SL had higher hepatopancreas vtg gene expression and the content of 17 β-estradiol (E2) in hemolymph than those fed the control diet (P<0.05). This study suggested that Pt-FABP may have a positive function in ovary maturation of female swimming crab. Meanwhile, these results not only demonstrated that the gene expression of Pt-fabp1 and vtg in hepatopancreas can be modulated by dietary SL levels, but also clearly supported the hypothesis that the positive effects of dietary SL on the ovarian development of female swimming crab.

Effect of dietary soybean lecithin on growth parameters, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidative status and mucosal immune responses of common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Effect of dietary soybean lecithin on growth parameters, digestive enzyme activity, antioxidative status and mucosal immune responses of common carp (<i>Cyprinus carpio</i>)

Effect of Dietary Soybean Lecithin and Cholesterol on Growth, Antioxidant Status and Fatty Acid Composition of Juvenile Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels on the growth, antioxidant status and fatty acid composition in the tissues of swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). Eight experimental diets were formulated to contain four levels of soybean lecithin (0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg-1 of diet) and two cholesterol levels (0 and 6 g kg-1 of diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 swimming crabs (approximately 3.70 ± 0.03 g). The highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and molting frequency (MF) were observed with crabs fed the diet supplemented with 40 g kg-1 lecithin and 6 g kg-1 cholesterol. Crabs fed the diet without lecithin and cholesterol had a lower WG and SGR as compared to those fed the other diets. Cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations in the serum were significantly influenced by soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. Crabs fed the diets containing 40 g kg-1 lecithin with or without cholesterol supplementation had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hepatopancreas as compared to those fed the other diets. Moreover, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lysozyme activities in the hepatopancreas were significantly affected by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in the muscles were not significantly influenced by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. The concentrations of total HUFA in hepatopancreas were significantly influenced by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. In conclusion, interaction between dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol affects growth performance, feed utilization and fatty acids in the hepatopancreas, dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol supplementation enhance lipid transportation and metabolism

Effect of Dietary Soybean Lecithin and Cholesterol on Growth, Antioxidant Status and Fatty Acid Composition of Juvenile Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels on the growth, antioxidant status and fatty acid composition in the tissues of swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus). Eight experimental diets were formulated to contain four levels of soybean lecithin (0, 10, 20 and 40 g kg-1 of diet) and two cholesterol levels (0 and 6 g kg-1 of diet). Each diet was randomly assigned to triplicate groups of 60 swimming crabs (approximately 3.70 ± 0.03 g). The highest weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and molting frequency (MF) were observed with crabs fed the diet supplemented with 40 g kg-1 lecithin and 6 g kg-1 cholesterol. Crabs fed the diet without lecithin and cholesterol had a lower WG and SGR as compared to those fed the other diets. Cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations in the serum were significantly influenced by soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. Crabs fed the diets containing 40 g kg-1 lecithin with or without cholesterol supplementation had lower malondialdehyde (MDA) in the hepatopancreas as compared to those fed the other diets. Moreover, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lysozyme activities in the hepatopancreas were significantly affected by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. Highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) in the muscles were not significantly influenced by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. The concentrations of total HUFA in hepatopancreas were significantly influenced by the dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol levels. In conclusion, interaction between dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol affects growth performance, feed utilization and fatty acids in the hepatopancreas, dietary soybean lecithin and cholesterol supplementation enhance lipid transportation and metabolism

Effects of dietary phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels on the growth, molt performance and fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus

A 50-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels on the growth performance, molt and body composition of the juvenile swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Four isonitrogenous purified casein-based diets containing three PC levels and one commercial crude soybean lecithin (SL) level were formulated. A PC-deficient diet was designed as a control diet. Each diet was given to triplicate groups of 15 P. trituberculatus (initial weight, 25.4±0.1g/crab). The occurrence of molt death syndrome (MDS) was lowest in crabs fed the diet with 20g/kg PC. The growth of crabs showed a significant positive correlation with dietary PC level, increasing linearly with PC level (P<0.05), while growth performance was not significantly affected by SL supplementation. The highest growth performance was obtained in crabs fed the diet with 20g/kg PC. Whole body triglyceride and cholesterol levels also increased linearly with increasing dietary PC level (P<0.05). Serum triglyceride levels were significantly increased with SL supplementation (P<0.05). Our results show that the n-3/n-6 ratios and 22:6n-3 concentrations in both hepatopancreas and muscle increased significantly with SL addition (P<0.05). This study shows that PC supplementation in a casein-based diet had a significant growth-promoting effect on P. trituberculatus. Moreover, dietary SL had a greater effect on muscle and hepatopancreas fatty acid profiles than purified PC supplementation in diets.

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on nutrient accumulation during gonadal development in the female &lt;I&gt;Cherax quadricarinatus&lt;/I&gt;

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on nutrient accumulation during gonadal development in the female &lt;I&gt;Cherax quadricarinatus&lt;/I&gt;

Optimum soybean lecithin contents in microdiets for gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae

The aim of the present study was to determine the optimum dietary levels of soybean lecithin (SBL) for seabream (Sparus aurata) larvae, and its influence on production performance and digestive enzymes activity. Larvae were fed five formulated microdiets with five levels of SBL. Complete replacement of live preys with the experimental microdiets for seabream larvae at 16 dph produced over 55% survival rates, particularly in fish fed with the highest levels of SBL. Moreover, increase in dietary SBL up to 80 g kg−1 significantly improved larval growth, leading to high final total length and body weight. An increase in alkaline phosphatase activity with the elevation up to 80 g kg−1 SBL was also found denoting a better maturation of the digestive system. Besides, there was a stimulatory effect of dietary SBL on PLA2 activity. Finally, increasing dietary SBL lead to better utilization of dietary highly unsaturated fatty acid, as it was reflected in their higher content in both neutral and polar lipid of the larvae. In summary, elevation of dietary SBL up to 80 g kg−1 in microdiets for seabream significantly improved digestive enzymes activities, enterocyte maturation, utilization and deposition of dietary essential fatty acids and larval growth, as a consequence of a better digestion, absorption, transport and deposition of dietary nutrients.

Effects of dietary soybean lecithin on gonadal development and vitellogenin mRNA expression in the female redclaw crayfishCherax quadricarinatus(von Martens) at first maturation

The effect of increasing levels of dietary de-oiled soybean lecithin (SL) on the ovarian development of female redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, was investigated. Five practical formulated diets were supplemented with 0% (Diet 1), 1% (Diet 2), 2% (Diet 3), 4% (Diet 4) and 6% (Diet 5) SL. Crayfish (initial weight: 25.64 ± 1.53 g) were fed each diet in four replicates for 8 weeks. Crayfish that were fed diets containing ≥2% SL had a significantly higher gonadosomatic index than those fed with Diets 1 and 2 (P 0.05). The fatty acid composition of the hepatopancreas is largely due to the dietary composition. Higher dietary SL yielded a higher percentage of ovarian polyunsaturated and highly unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the higher content of linoleic acid and alpha linolenic acid in diets may be more important for ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus, as these originate from the hepatopancreas. The hepatopancreatic vitellogenin mRNA expression was the highest in crayfish that received Diet 3. Our results suggest that dietary SL has a positive effect on ovarian development in C. quadricarinatus broodstock, and at least 2% SL should be supplemented in broodstock diets to enhance ovarian maturation during aquaculture.