Feed Conversion Research Articles

N-acetyl-L-cysteine and lauric acid; effective antioxidant and antimicrobial feed additives for juvenile Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured at high stocking density

Present study aimed at improving the immune and antioxidant response of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured at high stocking density fed with 0.2% supplementation of lauric acid (LA) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). Shrimp (initial average weight = 0.65 g; n = 270) were grown at low stocking density (LSD) (n = 10/0.80 ft3 per replicate) and high stocking density (HSD) (n = 20/0.80 ft3 per replicate). They were randomly distributed into five groups (T1: negative control at LSD, T2: positive control at HSD, T3: at HSD and fed with LA supplement diet, T4: at HSD and fed with NAC supplemented diet, T5: at HSD and fed with combination of LA and NAC). All these five treatments were studied in triplicates and study continued for eight weeks. Better growth and higher levels of glucose, total protein, total hemocyte count and phagocytic index were observed in shrimp fed with NAC and LA supplemented diets. Observed survival rate and feed conversion ratio in all treatments was 75–89% and < 0.82, respectively. All parameters indicating stress were observed to be higher in T1 as compared to T2. Improved expression of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and lower levels of malondialdehyde genes in T3, T4 and T5 showed that supplementation with these nutraceuticals can improve antioxidant response at high stocking density. A parallel increase was observed in the profiles of prophenoloxidase and lysozyme, underscoring the immune-boosting effects of both NAC and LA. This finding was further supported by higher expression of innate immune signaling pathway-related gene, toll like receptor-2 in T3, T4 and T5. In conclusion, NAC and LA, can possibly improve the resistance of white pacific shrimp against oxidative stress and pathogens when cultured in intensive production system.

Can the supplementation of autolyzed yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) affect the diet digestibility, feeding behavior, levels of blood metabolites, and performance of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs finished in feedlot?

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of autolyzed yeast (obtained from culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in sugarcane derivatives) supplementation on diet digestibility, feeding behavior, levels of blood metabolites associated with protein and energy metabolism, and performance of Dorper × Santa Ines lambs finished in feedlot. Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs with an average age of 4months and a body weight (BW) of 19.49 ± 3.08kg were allocated to individual pens within a covered and elevated shed. The pens had a slatted floor without bedding suspended 1.8m above the ground, and an area of 1.5 m2. The trial was set out in a completely randomized design with two treatments and twelve replicates each. The treatments consisted of a basal diet without yeast products (Control) or with yeast culture (Yeast, RumenYeast® at 5g/animal/day). Lambs were fed ad libitum with a total mixed ration (TMR) composed of 400g/kg of dry matter (DM) of Tifton 85 hay (Cynodon spp.) and 600g/kg DM of concentrate feed, and contained 146g/kg DM of crude protein and 2.30 Mcal/kg DM of metabolizable energy. The experiment was conducted over 84days, with the first 14days serving as an adaptation period. The subsequent experimental period was divided into two phases to evaluate animal performance (Days 1-63) and DM digestibility (Days 64-70). The supplementation with autolyzed yeast did not affect rumen or fecal pH, the DM digestibility, as well as the feeding behavior of lambs (the time spent on feeding, rumination, water intake, and idleness activities). In addition, yeast supplementation did not alter the serum levels of albumin, creatinine, urea, or level of plasma glucose, resulting in similar animal performance compared to the Control group. The mean values for final BW, DM intake, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio were 37.52kg, 1.051kg/day, 0.286kg/day, and 3.74kg DM/kg gain, respectively. In the conditions of this study, the supplementation of autolyzed yeast in TMR (5g/animal/day) does not affect diet digestibility, feeding behavior, blood metabolites, or performance of lambs finished in feedlot. Regarding that metabolic and performance lamb responses were not improved, the supplementation of autolyzed yeast at the tested dose is not recommended. However, it is important to note that markers related to immunity and inflammation were not evaluated in our work, and these should be considered in future studies.

Digestive and absorptive capacity and digesta microbiota throughout the gastrointestinal tract of nursery pigs from parents with divergent estimated breeding value for feed conversion ratio

This study investigated digestive and absorptive function changes and microbiota adaptations during weaning in nursery pigs from parents with divergent estimated breeding values for feed conversion ratio (EBV_FCR). The research aimed to investigate whether these changes differed between two groups: pigs from high EBV_FCR (low efficiency, LE) parents and pigs from low EBV_FCR (high efficiency, HE) parents. Furthermore, digesta samples from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and cecum were collected from 56-day-old post-weaned pigs and subjected to microbiota analysis using 16S rRNA gene profiling. Enzyme activity kinetics and gene expression analyses of nutrient transporters in various segments of the digestive tract showed no significant differences between the two groups. Tight junction proteins gene expression also showed no significant differences in the jejunum between the two groups. Microbiota analysis revealed consistent dominance of Firmicutes in the jejunum and ileum, with Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes prevalent in the cecum and colon across both groups. However, significant differences were observed at the genus level. Lactobacillus was predominant in the small intestine of HE pigs, while the large intestine of LE pigs harbored higher levels of Prevotella, Streptococcus, and Blautia compared to HE pigs. These differences suggest potential functional differences that warrant further investigation.

Ecological insights on the feeding behaviour of waterbirds in an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area of South West Johor Coast, Malaysia

Mangroves and mudflats are essential intertidal habitats that support benthic communities, providing critical feeding grounds for waterbirds. However, the degradation of these habitats due to coastal reclamation poses significant threats to prey availability and waterbird populations along the South est Johor Coast. While most avian research in Johor focuses on forest birds, studies on coastal waterbirds, particularly their feeding ecology, remain scarce. Understanding the feeding ecology of waterbirds is crucial for strengthening conservation efforts in vulnerable intertidal habitats. This study investigated the feeding behaviour and diet composition of waterbirds along the South West Johor Coast, Malaysia. Fieldwork was conducted in three coastal mudflats from November 2020 to May 2021, employing the direct observation technique. A total of 576 hours of observation were recorded, averaging 2 hours and 19 minutes per focal observation. Of 17 waterbird species recorded, only 11 species were included in the analysis based on sufficient data. The results revealed that waterbirds primarily consumed fish, molluscs, worms, crabs and unidentified prey, with fish comprising 25% of their overall diet. Feeding behaviour varied significantly by morphology traits, with larger waterbirds demonstrating higher feeding efficiency. Despite lower feeding rates and shorter feeding durations, larger species had a greater percentage of successful feeding attempts, indicating their superior ability to meet energy requirements. These findings provide crucial baseline data for understanding waterbird feeding ecology and highlight the importance of conserving the intertidal habitats. This research contributes to the development of targeted conservation strategies for waterbirds in the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of the South West Johor Coast, Malaysia, an area increasingly at risk from habitat degradation.

The metabolic and anti-adiposity effects of oral Copaiba-oil supplementation are influenced by sex and obesity

Copaiba oil (CO-oil) is commonly used as a topical healing and anti-inflammatory product in Brazil. However, recent data indicate that oral ingestion of CO-oil has anti-adiposity effects. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of oral CO-oil supplementation on body weight (BW), food intake (FI), adiposity and metabolism in male and female obese and non-obese rats. Monosodium glutamate (MSG; 4g/Kg) was administered during the first week after birth to induce hypothalamic obesity; control (CON; non-obese) rats received equimolar saline. After weaning (30 days of life), MSG and CON males and females were randomly subdivided into CO-oil supplemented (0.5mL/Kg; 3 times/week/8 weeks) and non-supplemented (NS) groups (n = 10-15 rats/group). BW, FI, feed efficiency (FE) and adiposity were registered, as well as fasting glucose (GLU), triglycerides (TGL) and total cholesterol (TC) values. Insulin resistance (IR) was assessed using the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG). Integrative principal component analysis (PCA) showed that chronic CO-oil supplementation alters FI and FE in MSG-obese and non-obese male rats, without modifying adiposity or metabolism. However, CO-oil supplementation of MSG-obese females reduced adiposity, TGL and improved IR, in relation to non-obese females. Thus, our data indicate that CO-oil oral supplementation influences males and females differently, having greater anti-adiposity effects and benefits on the metabolic state of obese female rats.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Red and Larch Pine Needle Powders on Productivity, Egg Quality, Yolk Fatty Acids and Cholesterol and Hatchability of Laying Quails.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of red pine and larch pine needles powder at different doses on productive performance, egg quality, hatching parameters, total fatty acid and cholesterol levels of laying quails. A total of 126 (84 ♀ and 42 ♂) 20-week-old laying quail were randomly distributed into seven experimental diets with three replicates of six (four female and two male) birds per cage. The groups were fed a basal diet (CON group), a basal diet with red pine needle powder (RPNP group) (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%), or a basal diet with larch pine needle powder (LPNP group) (1.5%, 3% and 4.5%) for 9 weeks. The results showed that the additives which were added into the ration did not affect feed intake and feed conversion ratio among the performance parameters compared to the control group (p > 0.05). Egg production increased by 13%-14% in RPNP 1.5% and LPNP 4.5% groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Egg weight increased by 4.04% only at the RPNP 4.5% dose (p < 0.05). However, egg weight decreased by 3.68%, 2.88% and 5.75% in RPNP 3% and LPNP 3% and 4.5% doses, respectively (p < 0.05). The highest increase in egg mass compared to the control was 13.61% in the RPNP 1.5% dose (p < 0.05). Egg shape index increased by 8.18% in the RPNP 1.5% group and 11.11% in the LPNP 3% group (p < 0.05). Haugh units increased by 1.87% and 1.77% in RPNP 1.5% and LPNP 4.5% doses, respectively (p < 0.05). The amount of broken eggs increased in the LPNP 1.5% (2.86%) and LPNP 3% (3.65%) doses relative to the control group (0.40%) (p < 0.05). Egg yolk decreased by 7.2%-17.6% in RPNP 1.5% and 3% groups and LPNP 3% and 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Egg yolk diameter decreased by 3.21%-6.56% in RPNP 1.5% and 3% groups and LPNP 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Yolk index decreased by an average of 5.5%-7% in RPNP 1.5% and 4.5% doses and LPNP 4.5% doses (p < 0.05). Pine needle supplementation increased total monounsaturated fatty acids in egg yolks by 6% compared to the control group, while cholesterol levels decreased by 7.73% compared to the control (p < 0.05). On the other hand, pine needle addition had no effect on incubation parameters (p > 0.05). Our results clearly indicated that the 1.5% red pine needles powder could be used as an additive to increase the egg production, egg mass and Haugh units in laying quails.

IoT-based prediction model for aquaponic fish pond water quality using multiscale feature fusion with convolutional autoencoder and GRU networks

The Internet of Things (IoT)-based smart solutions have been developed to predict water quality and they are becoming an increasingly important means of providing efficient solutions through communication technologies. IoT systems are used for enabling connection between various devices based on the ability to gather and collect information. Furthermore, IoT systems are designed to address the environment and the automation industry. The threats associated with aquaponics farming are managed through an IoT-based smart water monitoring framework, which has become increasingly relevant in recent days. Therefore, this approach is crucial for achieving a remarkable improvement in order to increase the productivity rate and yield. The quality of water directly affects the rate of growth, efficiency of feed, and the overall health rate of the fish, plants, and bacteria. Insufficient knowledge about species selection poses a significant challenge in aquaponics farming, as it heavily relies on the water quality parameters. To address the challenges of conventional models, we have developed an effective IoT-based water quality prediction model, more specifically designed for aquaponic fish ponds. The data needed to perform the developed water quality prediction model will be acquired from “a simple dataset of aquaponic fish pond IoT” database. After that, these data are forwarded to the feature extraction phase. The weighted features, DBN (Deep Belief Network) features, and the original features are achieved in the feature extraction stage. The weighted features are obtained using the Revamped Fitness-based Mother Optimization Algorithm (RF-MOA). Subsequently, these extracted features are fed into the Multi-Scale feature fusion-based Convolutional Autoencoder with a Gated Recurrent Unit (MS-CAGRU) network for predicting the water quality. Thus, the water quality predicted data is obtained. The proposed model integrates GRU networks with a convolutional autoencoder to improve water quality prediction by capturing trends and managing temporal dependencies. It enhances accuracy by analysing key parameters and employing techniques to reduce overfitting. The effectiveness of the proposed system is evaluated in comparison to the traditional models using some evaluation measures.

Nutritional carryover effects of the previous plane of nutrition of crossbred Angus steers affects freshwater intake, animal performance, and water and feed efficiency

Abstract This study evaluated how the backgrounding diet can affect water intake, animal performance and water and feed efficiency of steers fed finishing diets based on grains or forages. Twenty-four crossbred Angus steers (298 ±10.2 kg) were fed during backgrounding either a moderate (MP, n =12; triticale hay only, 9.1 %crude protein [CP], 1.07 Mcal/kg net energy available for maintenance [NEm], and 0.52 Mcal/kg net energy available for gain [NEg]) or high plane of nutrition (HP, n =12; 85% alfalfa hay and 15% beardless wheat hay, 12.62 %CP, 1.23 Mcal/kg NEm, and 0.66 Mcal/kg NEg) during the background phase (85 d). After this period, steers were assigned to two finishing phase groups containing half of the animals from each backgrounding diets. During the finishing phase, animals were fed either a forage-based (Alfalfa hay; CP: 20.8% DM, NEm: 1.47 Mcal/kg, NEg: 0.88 Mcal/kg) or a grain-based diet (80% whole corn and 20% wheat hay; CP: 10.6% DM, NEm: 1.96 Mcal/kg, NEg: 1.31 Mcal/kg). There was no interaction between the effects of the previous plane of nutrition [(moderate (MP) or high (HP)] and finishing diets (forage or grain-fed) on any of the variables studied (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Animals backgrounded on MP were lighter and had a lower DMI when compared with HP (P &amp;lt; 0.01). However, no differences were observed on the drinking water intake (DWI) between MP and HP (P &amp;gt; 0.05). HP animals were more efficient in gross water efficiency (P &amp;lt; 0.01), but less efficient on residual feed intake (P &amp;lt; 0.05), compared to MP animals. During the finishing phase, forage fed animals had a greater DMI and DWI compared with grain-fed animals (P &amp;lt; 0.01), however, no differences were observed on the final BW (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Grain-fed animals were more efficient for water and feed intake and had a greater marbling score (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compared to forage-fed. Animals fed on HP and finished in a grain-fed diet had the least DWI (P &amp;lt;0.05) and greatest body condition score (P &amp;lt; 0.05), marbling score (P &amp;lt; 0.01) and rib depth (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In the first 20 days of the finishing period, the previous plane affected the variables ADG, DMI, CPi, and DWI (as kg DMI and CP) in the finishing plane. Altogether, our results highlight the individual effects of backgrounding and finishing systems on DWI and the efficiency of finishing animals, as well as the importance of providing adequate nutrition during the earlier stages of life.

A comparative study of the genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia strain (GIANT-G9) and a commercial strain in Egypt: growth vs. stress response

Selective breeding is a potent method for developing strains with enhanced traits. This study compared the growth performance and stress responses of the genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia strain (G9; GIANT-G9) with a local commercial strain over 12 weeks, followed by exposure to stressors including high ammonia (10 mg TAN/L), elevated temperature (37 °C), and both for three days. The GIANT-G9 showed superior growth, including greater weight gain, final weight, length gain, specific growth rate, and protein efficiency ratio, as well as a lower feed conversion ratio and condition factor compared to the commercial strain. The expression of growth hormone in the brain of the GIANT‐G9 increased significantly after 6 weeks, although it slightly decreased after 12 weeks. Growth hormone receptor 1 expression also increased significantly after 6 weeks. Muscle insulin-like growth factors (igf1 and igf2) levels up-regulated significantly only after 12 weeks in the GIANT‐G9. Under stress, serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) were significantly higher in the GIANT‐G9, while the commercial strain had lower levels. No significant changes were observed in liver ALP activity among stressed strains. Under stress, the GIANT‐G9 exhibited marked upregulation of splenic Toll-like receptors (tlr2, tlr9, tlr21), myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (myd88), nuclear factor kappa B (nf-κB), interleukin (il) 1β, and il6. Notably, il6 expression was higher than il1β in the spleen, with the opposite pattern in the head kidney. In response to immune stimulation, globulin levels significantly increased in the GIANT‐G9 but with similar values to the stressed commercial strain. Myostatin expression increased in the spleen of the stressed GIANT‐G9. The commercial strain exhibited the best liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activities under stress, while the GIANT‐G9 showed increased liver glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity after exposure to ammonia and temperature stress. Serum lysozyme activity increased in the stressed commercial strain and under temperature stress in the GIANT‐G9 but decreased under other stress conditions. Overall, the stressed commercial strain demonstrated higher survivability than the stressed GIANT‐G9. The study revealed significant interactions between strains and stress factors. The GIANT‐G9 exhibited higher growth rates but lower antioxidant and immune capacities compared to the commercial strain at the juvenile stage of life and production cycle.

The Effect of Dietary Sodium Alginate on the Growth and Survival of Giant Freshwater Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii)

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is a valuable aquaculture species known for its rapid growth, adaptability to environmental variations, and high nutritional value. However, challenges such as high mortality rates, algal blooms, dissolved oxygen depletion, and pathogen outbreaks constrain its cultivation. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture raises significant environmental and health concerns, including antimicrobial resistance. This study explores the potential of sodium alginate, a natural polysaccharide derived from brown algae, as a prebiotic and immunostimulant for improving growth and feed efficiency in M. rosenbergii. Juvenile prawns (~0.2 g) were cultured for 60 days and fed experimental diets supplemented with sodium alginate at concentrations of 0 g/kg (control, T0), 1.0 g/kg (T1), 2.0 g/kg (T2), and 3.0 g/kg (T3). Growth performance, feed utilization, and survival rates were assessed bi-weekly. Results showed significant improvements (p&lt;0.05) in growth parameters, including mean weight gain (MWG) and specific growth rate (SGR), in prawns fed a 2.0 g/kg sodium alginate diet (T2). At the end of the experiment, T2 recorded the highest mean weight, MWG, SGR, and lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR, 2.395 ± 0.068), demonstrating superior feed utilization efficiency. In contrast, prawns fed a 3.0 g/kg sodium alginate diet (T3) showed reduced growth performance and feed efficiency. This study highlights the efficacy of sodium alginate as a dietary supplement to enhance growth, feed efficiency, and sustainability in freshwater prawn aquaculture, with the optimal dosage identified as 2.0 g/kg. These findings support sodium alginate's potential as an eco-friendly alternative to antibiotics in aquaculture systems.

Dietary Fiber-Rich Spartina anglica Improves Intestinal Health and Antioxidant Capacity of Zhedong White Geese

Spartina anglica (SA), a plant rich in dietary fiber, has demonstrated considerable potential for enhancing gut health and antioxidant capacity in animals. This study investigates the integration of SA as a novel dietary ingredient for Zhedong white geese, with a specific focus on evaluating its effects on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, antioxidant capacity, intestinal health, and cecal microbiota composition. A total of 360 1-day-old Zhedong white geese with an average weight of 114.94 ± 0.81 g were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments, with 6 replicates per treatment and 15 geese per pen. The 4 dietary treatments included different SA supplement levels: a control group receiving a basal diet (CON), and three experimental groups supplemented with 3% SA (SA3), 6% SA (SA6), and 12% SA (SA12). Supplementation with 6% SA significantly enhanced the final body weight, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the CON group (p &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the SA12 group exhibited reduced digestibility of crude protein and ether extract, relative to the SA3 and SA6 groups (p &lt; 0.05). The highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the SA6 and SA12 groups, while the lowest was recorded in the CON group. SA supplementation did not significantly influence serum biochemical parameters or organ indices but increased cecum length (p &lt; 0.05). Notably, SA supplementation markedly improved intestinal morphology, although excessive levels appeared to compromise these benefits. Additionally, SA supplementation significantly enhanced the richness and diversity of cecal microbiota and increased short-chain fatty acid concentrations. In conclusion, SA at an optimal supplementation level of 6% may be effectively utilized in Zhedong white geese diets to improve growth performance, gut health, and antioxidant capacity.

Dietary Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seeds oil supplementation augments growth performance and gut microbial composition in Labeo rohita fingerlings

The present study investigates the supplemental effects of chia seed oil (CSO) on the growth performance and modulation of intestinal microbiota in Labeo rohita fingerlings. Four diets were formulated with graded levels of CSO: 1.0%, 2.0%, and 3.0% represented as CSO (1), CSO (2), and, CSO (3) groups alongside a control group without CSO. L. rohita fingerlings (n = 180) (mean weight = 19.74 ± 0.33 g) were randomly distributed in triplicates for 60 days to these treatment groups. The results depicted significant improvements (p < 0.05) in weight gain (WG) %, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed conversion efficiency (FCE) in the group supplemented with the lowest level of CSO. Gut microbial analysis evidenced the ability of CSO at 1.0% to augment the relative abundance of bacterial phyla such as Verrucomicrobiota, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidota, Fusobacteria and Firmicutes, as well as genera Luteolibacter and Cetobacterium, indicating higher alpha diversity compared to the control. Principle coordinate analysis (PCoA) demonstrated a distinct composition of microbial communities in CSO-supplemented groups relative to the control (p < 0.001). Correlation analysis further revealed a significant (p < 0.05) association of specific microbial taxa with growth performance parameters. The predictions of metabolic pathways suggested the involvement of carbohydrate and amino acid metabolic pathways in the CSO (1) group, indicating improved nutrient transport and metabolism. Overall, the findings highlight the beneficial effects of 1.0% CSO supplementation on growth performance and modulation of gut microbiota in L. rohita fingerlings.

THE INCREASE IN BODY WEIGHT, SMALL INTESTINE LENGTH, AND FEED CONVERSION RATIO (FCR) OF BROILER CHICKENS GIVEN HEAT STRESS AND BANANA BLOSSOM PEEL EXTRACT (Musa paradisiaca)

This study aims to determine the increased of body weight, small intestine length, and food conversion ratio (FCR) of broiler chickens given heat stress and banana blossom peel extract (Musa paradisiaca). This study was an experimental study using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of five treatments. The experimental animals used in this study were female broiler chickens of the Cobb strain, 2 weeks old and weighing between 350-400 g, totaling 25 chickens. Chickens in P0 were not exposed to heat stress and banana blossom peel extract, while the chicken in P1, P2, P3, and P4 were exposed to heat stress and administered with 0.0, 500, 1000, 1500 mg/L banana blossom peel extract, respectively. The temperature in the heated cage accumulated slowly starting at 10:00 WIB and was maintained stable at 33±1° C for five hours. Banana blossom peel extract was given by dissolving it in drinking water for two hours (at 10:00) before the temperature in the cage reached 33±1° C. The data obtained were processed using the Kruskal-Wallis and continued with the Mann-Whitney Test. The results showed that there was a significant difference between treatments P1 and P4 on body weight gain and small intestine length (P0.05). Meanwhile, for the FCR value, only the P4 group met the standard, which was 1.57. Giving banana blossom peel extract at a dose of 1500 mg/L has been able to increase body weight, small intestine length, and decrease the FCR value in broiler chickens experiencing heat stress with a temperatu re of 33±1° C for 5 hours with a duration of 20 days.

Complete substitution of fish meal with black soldier flies Hermetia illucens (L. 1758) larvae meal at varying incorporation rates for feeding Oreochromis niloticus raised in captivity

BackgroundBlack soldier fly larvae are exceptional ingredients, often used to replace fish meal. They can be easily cultured using waste and by-products. This study assesses the effect of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal on the growth of Oreochromis niloticus raised in captivity, as well as the economic impact of replacing fish meal with BSFL meal in its diet.MethodBlack soldier fly larvae (BSFL) were produced for 15 days after egg hatching. The substrate of BSFL production was Soy bran that is a byproduct obtained by processing soy cheese. The larvae of Oreochromis niloticus of average initial weight 0.012 ± 0.00 g were randomly distributed in 15 tanks at a rate of 50 larvae per tank. Five different treatments were applied, with TR (imported feed); T0 (diet with 0% incorporation of black soldier fly larvae meal); T40; T50 and T60 are diets with 40%, 50% and 60% incorporation of black soldier fly larvae meal. The feeding frequency was 4 times/day. Each treatment was tested in triplicate for 28 days.ResultsThe specific growth rate obtained during the experiment varied significantly (P < 0.05) with the treatments from 2.88 ± 0.09 (T40) to 4.50 ± 0.12%/day (TR). The feed conversion rate (FCR), ranged from 2.25 ± 0.05 (T40) to 1.08 ± 0.04 (T60). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) with the treatment. It ranged from 0.81 ± 0.07 (T40) to 2.34 ± 0.06 (TR). The survival rates varied from (T0) (92.66 ± 3.52) to (T50) (100.00 ± 0.00). The economic conversion ratio (ECR) presented a significant difference (P < 0.05). The best ECR was obtained with T60 (1.62 ± 0.09) and T50 (2.42 ± 0.17). Based on the parameters studied, diet with 40%, 50%, and 60% of BSFL meals showed better performance compared to treatment containing fish meal at 54% (T0). The cost production analyses were used to evaluate the economic impact of utilizing BSFL meal instead of fish meal in O. niloticus feeding.ConclusionIt is recommended to use 50% and 60% substitution rates for better economic profitability.

Impact of Feeding Frequency on Growth Performance and Antioxidant Capacity of Litopenaeus vannamei in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Feeding frequency is crucial for the growth and development of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) at various life stages. Although higher feeding frequencies can enhance growth, manual feeding methods significantly increase labor costs. Automatic feeding systems offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative, yet their application in intensive shrimp culture remains under-researched. This study evaluates different feeding frequencies for L. vannamei in intensive aquaculture tanks, focusing on growth performance, survivability, feed utilization, digestive and antioxidant capacities, and economic viability. Juvenile shrimp (3.85 ± 0.3 g) were cultured for 63 days with feeding frequencies of 6, 8, 10, and 12 times/day (A6, A8, A10, and A12 groups, respectively) using automatic feeders, with a control group fed manually 6 times/day (M6). Results indicated that automatic feeding significantly improved final body weight, specific growth rate, and feed conversion ratio compared to manual feeding. Among automatic feeding groups, A6 and A8 showed optimal performance, with a quadratic regression identifying 7.83 times/day as the optimal frequency. While digestive enzyme activity remained consistent across groups, A6 and A8 demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) and lower lipid peroxidation (MDA), suggesting superior digestive and antioxidant capacities. Pearson’s correlation confirmed a positive relationship between SOD and GPx. Economically, the A8 group achieved the highest profitability. Consequently, a feeding frequency of 6–8 times/day using automatic feeders is recommended as an optimal and feasible strategy for intensive white shrimp culture in this life stage.

The Potential of Herbal Plants in the Prevention and Treatment of Fish Diseases: A Review

The use of herbal plants in aquaculture has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to improving fish health, enhancing immunity, and boosting growth performance. Various herbs are rich in bioactive compounds that stimulate non-specific defense mechanisms, enhance phagocytic activity, and reduce oxidative stress through their antioxidant properties. These immunostimulatory effects improve disease resistance and overall well-being in fish. Additionally, herbal supplementation has demonstrated significant growth-promoting effects by improving feed conversion efficiency and productivity in aquaculture systems. This review summarizes the roles of key herbal plants in aquaculture, highlighting their potential as natural alternatives to synthetic chemicals and antibiotics. The findings underscore the importance of integrating herbal remedies into aquaculture practices to enhance fish health and sustainability.

Effectiveness of Octopus (Octopus sp.) Ink Exctract on the Growth of Catfish (Clarias sp.) Infected with Aeromonas hydrophila

One material that can be used to improve feed quality is octopus ink. Octopus ink can serve as an alternative nutrient source to optimize catfish growth. Ink produced by cephalopods such as squid, octopus, and cuttlefish contains various components, including fat, protein, ash, and carbohydrates. The aim of this research is to determine the effect of administering octopus ink extract (Octopus sp.) on the growth of catfish (Clarias sp.) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria. The method used in this research was experimental, involving five treatments with three replications: treatment 1 (Control/P1), treatment 2/P2 (40 ml/kg), treatment 3/P3 (80 ml/kg), treatment 4/P4 (120 ml/kg), and treatment 5/P5 (160 ml/kg). The research steps included octopus ink extraction, a Lethal Concentration 50 (LC50) test, preparation of tools and materials, supplementation of octopus ink extract in feed, application of test treatments, challenge tests with Aeromonas hydrophila, and maintenance. The results of this research showed that treatment 5 (160 ml/kg) yielded the best outcomes in growth parameters, including an absolute weight of 1.26 grams, a specific growth rate of 0.57%/day, a feed convertion ratio (FCR) of 1.66, and a survival rate of 90%.

Dietary purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) leaf powder maintains growth and intestinal health in Oreochromis niloticus under chronic water-borne cadmium exposure by strengthening the gut barriers, modulating the intestinal nutrient transporters, and relieving oxidative stress.

High cadmium (Cd) concentrations pose a threat to aquatic life globally. This study examined the efficiency of adding purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) leaf powder (PLP) to Oreochromis niloticus diets on Cd's negative effects. PLP was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography, and its main constituents were gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, and pyrocatechol. Nile tilapia (180 fish, 34.5 ± 0.5 g) were divided into four groups in triplicate. A basal diet was given to the control group. The PLP group received a basal diet containing 10 g PLP/kg diet. The Cd group was exposed to 50 µg/L water. The Cd + PLP group was exposed to Cd and fed diets containing PLP. Results showed that PLP significantly rescued Cd-induced effects. PLP improved fish survival, feed conversion ratio, and growth retardation caused by Cd. PLP also restored decreased activities of lipase, trypsin, and amylase in the intestine. Furthermore, PLP corrected disturbances in leptin and growth hormone levels induced by Cd. PLP mitigated pathological alterations, replenished antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GSH), and reduced lipid peroxidation in the intestinal tissues. PLP supplementation depleted significant Cd accumulation in the intestine and muscles. Additionally, PLP corrected altered expressions of tight junction proteins (zo-1, zo-2, and claudin-4) and nutrient transporters (glut-1, slc15a2, slc26a6, and slc4a4) in Cd-exposed fish. Conclusively, PLP shows promise as a dietary supplement to mitigate Cd's harmful impacts on fish growth. Its antioxidant activity and regulation of intestinal tight junction proteins and nutrient transporters contribute to its effectiveness. PLP supplementation holds the potential for reducing the detrimental effects of Cd in aquaculture.

Advancing Food Security with Farmed Edible Insects: Economic, Social, and Environmental Aspects

Farmed edible insects are considered a potential resource to help address food security concerns toward the year 2050. The sustainability (e.g., lower environmental impact), nutritional (e.g., high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, fiber, unsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals) and health (e.g., antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory) benefits are the main reasons for the rise in interest for insects as alternative protein sources for food and feed production. Thus, edible insects can address the future global protein demand of an ever-increasing world population. In this context, several aspects related to their sustainability have been explored and addressed from an environmental perspective. This review describes the rationale for using insects as alternative protein sources and provides a comprehensive viewpoint, integrating economic, environmental, and social aspects into their sustainability framework toward addressing food insecurity concerns. For example, edible insects offer a more sustainable protein source comparable to, or even better than, that of conventional livestock. Considering their sustainability advantages, insects are noted for their lower impact on natural resources (e.g., water and agrarian land) and lower greenhouse gas emissions (e.g., carbon dioxide and methane). From a socioeconomic point of view, edible insects have lower production costs compared to conventional animal protein sources because of their high feed efficiency conversion, rapid growth rate, and short life cycles. Currently, the market for edible, farmed insects is becoming a significant economic activity that not only meets the needs of industry and consumers but also supports the ability of future generations to maintain a secure and sustainable community.

Circulating serum metabolites as biomarkers and predictors of residual feed intake in lactating dairy cows

This study explored the potential of circulatory serum metabolite profiles to increase understanding of the physiology of feed efficiency and identify biomarkers to predict residual feed intake (RFI) in lactating Holsteins. Serum metabolite profiles were compared in high (n = 20) and low RFI (n = 20) cows at early, mid, and late lactation stages. The low RFI cows had decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of dodecanoylcarnitine, dodecenoylcarnitine, dodecanedioylcarnitine, tetradecanoylcarnitine, succinic acid, trimethylamine N-oxide, betaine, and increased concentrations of p-Hydroxyhippuric acid, hydroxysphingomyeline C16:1, phosphatidylcholine diacyl C40:6, and glutarylcarnitine at early lactation. A similar comparison at mid lactation stage showed altered serum concentrations of 26 metabolites that fall into the categories of acyl carnitines, glycerophospholipids, biogenic amines, amino acids, and organic acids. At late lactation, fewer sets of metabolites were significantly affected by RFI grouping. Receiver operator curve analyses identified p-Hydroxyhippuric acid as the top biomarker at early lactation and acetylornithine at mid and late lactation. Models based on sets of serum metabolites in early, mid, and late lactation stages predicted RFI with a validation coefficient of determination of 0.54, 0.68, and 0.64, respectively. This study demonstrated the potential of circulatory serum metabolites as biomarkers and predictors of RFI in lactating dairy cows.