Wild Sea Research Articles

Monitoring Food Quality by Microfluidic Electrophoresis, Gas Chromatography, and Mass Spectrometry Techniques: Effects of Aquaculture on the Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Monitoring food quality is a critical task for analytical chemistry and an important way to preserve human health. Fish is a valuable source of highly digestible proteins and contains large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. Since the world's wild fish stocks are limited, farmed fish is nowadays proposed as an alternative to consumers. It is now emerging that the fish muscle protein content is assuming great importance from an aquaculture perspective. Many data have been collected on the physiology and biochemistry of fish muscle, but few proteomic studies are available on farmed fish. Application of proteomics to aquaculture may play a key role in the development of new farming strategies. In this paper, a proteomic approach based on SDS-PAGE separation of proteins, in situ protein hydrolysis, de novo sequencing of peptides by MALDI and ESI MS(2), protein identification, and relative quantitation of protein by denaturing capillary electrophoresis was coupled with the determination of fatty acids and metal ions content by GM-MS and ICPMS in farmed and wild sea bass filet. Our results show that aquaculture could induce significant chemical and biochemical differences in fish muscle that may have an impact on food quality.

Comparison of Volatiles of Cultured and Wild Sea Bream (Sparus aurata) during Storage in Ice by Dynamic Headspace Analysis/Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry

Cultured and wild sea bream were compared for differences in their volatile components over a 23 day storage period in ice. A total of 60 compounds in cultured and 78 compounds in wild sea bream were tentatively identified (in addition to this, there were 23 unknowns in cultured and 29 unknowns in wild sea bream volatiles). These included aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, aromatics, terpenes, furans, sulfur-containing compounds, an acid, and miscellaneous compounds. Although selection of best fish is a subjective matter, more aldehydes, ketones, aromatics, and terpenes were found in wild sea bream as compared to that of its cultured counterpart. Both sea bream samples exhibited complex volatile profiles over the entire storage period. The combination of several classes of volatile compounds, dependent upon their concentrations and odor thresholds, is responsible for the distinctive and unique flavor of fresh cultured and wild sea bream. Relative concentrations of several compounds (trimethylamine, piperidine, methanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide, 1-penten-3-ol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and acetic acid) increased continually throughout the storage period, and these may have the potential to be used as indicators of sea bream quality.

Year-round captive spawning performance of the sea urchinParacentrotus lividus: Relevance for the use of its larvae as live feed

Field studies describe echinoplutei not only as grazers but also as prey of naturally occurring fish and shell- fish larvae. This finding suggests their potential as live feed in aquaculture. This paper reports on consistent spawnings of the captive sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck 1816) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) throughout the year us- ing diets of plant origin (yellow maize and/or dried seaweed) with fixed environmental conditions equivalent to field conditions during late spring (14 h of daily illumination and 18 ◦ C of temperature). Broodstock maturation without un- wanted spontaneous spawnings was achieved in two ways: extending the natural season of reproduction and inducing out-of-season wild specimens to mature. Controlled spawnings of captive sea urchins were induced every month of the year by KCl 0.5 M injections. The diet maize/seaweed combination gave the best results (79% of the tested urchins) in terms of consistent large spawnings throughout the year, followed by the pure maize diet (50%) and the pure seaweed diet (36%). When out-of-season wild sea urchins were induced to maturation, the majority (72%) of tested individuals required at least 60 days to spawn under KCl injection when fed the combination diet. The results demonstrate the fea- sibility of producing larval P. lividus in that high numbers of fertilized eggs (up to 5 million per female) can be obtained year round. The main limitation of exploiting P. lividus as planktonic feed seems to be the mortality of broodstock after injection with 1 ml KCl 0.5 M, which prevents reutilization. The 1-month post-injection survival rate was 30 ± 8% (mean ± SE). All surviving sea urchins spawned again after re-injection 1 month later, with a 1-month survival rate of 29%.

Differences in the pattern of antipredator behaviour between hatchery‐reared and wild European sea bass juveniles

Shoals of hatchery‐reared and wild sea bass juvenilesDicentrarchus labraxwere tested for differences in their antipredator responses towards a potential live predator, the eelAnguilla anguilla. Eight experimental shoals (i.e. replicates), each composed of 15 individuals from the same stock of juveniles (i.e. wild or hatchery), were video recorded for 5 min before and after predator exposure. A set of behavioural variables were measured during the pre‐stimulus and stimulus phases of each test and compared between the two groups of replicates. Results showed that in both hatchery‐reared and wild juveniles predator exposure elicited a significant increase in the mean level of shoal cohesiveness and mean shoal distance from the predator, and a significant decrease in the mean shoal distance from the bottom. Shoals of wild juveniles, however, aggregated more quickly and reached higher shoal cohesiveness within the first 20 s of the stimulus period than shoals of hatchery‐reared fish. During this period, the wild fish also reached the highest peak in shoal cohesiveness, which then decreased gradually towards the levels observed before predator exposure. Another component of the antipredator response, the predator inspection behaviour, was fully developed in both wild and hatchery fish. Wild fish, however, tended to inspect the predator at a closer distance than hatchery fish.

양식, 방류 및 자연산 감성돔 1년어의 소화기관 및 체성분 비교

In order to evaluate adaptation to the environment in released fish, digestive organ and body composition were compared among 1-year old cultured (CUL), released (REL) and wild (WIL) Black Sea Bream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Hepatosomatic index (HSI) of the REL was significantly lower than those of the CUL and WIL fish, but intestine weight index (IWI) of REL was significantly higher than those of the CUL and WIL fish. There were no significant differences in stomach weight index (SWI) and condition facto. (CF) among those different fish groups. The number of pyloric caeca of the REL and WIL fish were 4, but the <TEX>$30{\%}$</TEX> of CUL fish was 3 counts. The moisture content of whole body in the WIL fish was significantly higher than the CUL and REL fish, but significant lowest in the crude lipid of whole body. The content of moisture and crude protein of dorsal muscle were no significant differences among the CUL, REL and WIL fish, but crude lipid content of WIL fish was significantly lower than the CUL and REL fish. Moisture content of CUL fish in the liver was significantly lower than the REL and WIL fish, and crude lipid was significant lowest in the WIL fish. Amino acid content of dorsal muscle in the WIL fish was highest in the total amino acid, EAA and E/A ratio, and CUL fish was highest EAA and E/A ratio in liver. EPA content in dorsal muscle of WIL fish was lower than CUL and REL fish, and the REL fish was highest in DHA content of the fatty acid. EPA content in liver of WIL fish was lower than CUL and REL fish, and DHA content in REL and WIL fish was highest and lowest. Crude protein content of CUL and WIL fish in the scale was significantly higher than REL fish, but there were no significant differences in contents of crude lipid and ash. Ca and P of scale were formed most of mineral and content of P in CUL fish was significantly higher than those of REL and WIL fish. There were no significant differences in Mg, K, Na and S of scale, but CUL fish was significantly lower than REL fish in C1. The results suggest that difference of digestive organs and body composition concluded it from differences of inhabitation environment and feed formulations.

Quality assessment of gutted wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus Labrax) stored in ice, cling film and aluminium foil

The effects of aluminium foil and cling film on microbiological, chemical and sensory changes in wild sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored at chill temperature (4 °C) were studied. A quality assessment of wild sea bass stored in ice, in boxes without ice, wrapped in aluminium foil (WAF) and wrapped in cling film (WCF) at 4 °C was performed by monitoring sensory quality, nucleotide breakdown products, total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), and total viable counts (TVCs). The observed organoleptic shelf-life of sea bass was found to be 16 days in ice, 4 days in boxes without ice, 8 days in aluminium foil and 8 days in cling film. Demerit points did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between WCF fish and WAF fish. The nucleotide degradation pattern was found to be similar for all storage conditions except for inosine and hypoxanthine contents, which decreased after 12 days of storage for WAF and WCF. The content of TVB-N for all storage conditions showed similar tendencies until 12 days storage but reached the highest level (41.6 mg TVB-N 100 g−1 flesh) for fish stored in WAF and WCF. No significant differences (P>0.05) were found in TVB-N concentrations within the treatments during the early stages of the storage period. Bacteria grew most quickly in the sea bass kept in boxes without ice, followed by those kept WAF, WCF and in ice. Significant differences (P<0.05) in TVC were observed amongst the treatments, especially between fish stored in boxes without ice and fish stored in ice

Microsatellite markers reveal population structure in gilthead sea bream Sparus auratus from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

This study was carried out to investigate the genetic variability and the population genetics of Sparus auratus. In fact, despite its importance in Mediterranean fisheries and aquaculture, very little it is known concerning its population structure. Samples of wild gilthead sea bream were collected in seven different localities along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts and were genetically characterized by means of microsatellite markers. Genotyping at four microsatellite loci revealed high polymorphism (7-38 alleles/locus) and expected heterozygosities, which ranged from 0.80 to 0.85. A slight but significant population structure was found (FST=0.010). In fact, at least three populations of gilthead sea bream within the Western Mediterranean Sea were identified (Sardinian Sea, Sardinian Channel and Central Tyrrhenian Sea), which are also genetically differentiated from those of the Atlantic Ocean and the Adriatic Sea.

Observations on open-water densities of sea lice larvae in Loch Shieldaig, Western Scotland

Sea trout (Salmo trutta L.) stocks on the West Coast of Scotland and Ireland have decreased due to reduced survival during the marine phase of their life cycle. Lice-infested sea trout returning to rivers could indicate that parasite burdens are contributing to the decline. Salmon farms represent a potential source of substantial quantities of sea lice, leading to a conjectured link between parasites on salmon fish farms and infestations on wild sea trout. To investigate the potential infective pressure on sea trout in Loch Shieldaig, offshore and sub-littoral plankton samples were collected and analysed for sea lice nauplius and copepodid stages. During the plankton survey, numbers of sea lice on a fish farm in the loch reached a maximum in November 2001. Soon after, numbers of sea lice larvae peaked in open-water samples and then in sub-littoral samples. Nauplii were found adjacent to the farm and occurred less elsewhere. This study reports a concentration of sea lice larvae at the head of Loch Shieldaig and indicates a possible relationship between sea lice numbers on the fish farm and lice larvae densities in the open-water of the loch and in the sub-littoral zone.

Measurement from the Bottom of the World to the Middle School Classroom

Take an incredible true adventure; add a lot of estimation and hands-on measurement; stir in parts of reading, writing, history, geography, and science; and one has the recipe for a powerful mathematics lesson. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World is an extraordinary true story by Jennifer Armstrong. The book follows the story of Ernest Shackleton and 27 men who set out in 1914 to become the first people to cross Antarctica. Instead, their ship, the Endurance, became trapped in the ice and sank, leaving the crew who had no way to communicate with the outside world to find a way back to civilization. They made their way across ice floes and wild seas to an island where 22 of the men made camp to wait. Shackleton and 5 of his crew then set out in a 20-foot boat to cross 800 miles of ocean to find help. Nearly 2 years after the expedition began, the last of the crew were rescued, and all 28 men survived! For a week, in lieu of regular mathematics class and the time when teacher Karen Grokett normally reads to her sixth-grade students at Chase County Middle School in Strong City, Kansas, we went on a daily mathematics adventure. By doing a little planning and by inviting questions to encourage student inquiry, the lesson took on a remarkable life of its own.

Plasma Protein Electrophoresis of the Atlantic Loggerhead Sea Turtle, Carretta carretta

The objective of this study was to determine reference intervals for plasma protein fractions of normal appearing, wild Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles, Caretta caretta. Blood was collected into heparinized vacutainer tubes from the following groups of turtles: 1) ten adult males; 2) eleven adult females; 3) ten juve- nile males; and 4) ten juvenile females. Plasma was removed and total protein content of each sample was determined using the biuret method. Plasma proteins were separated using gel electrophoresis and scanned using a laser densitometer. Reference ranges for albumin, alpha, beta, and gamma globulins were established for age and gender classes and statistically analyzed. Significant differences were found between beta globu- lins of adult and juveniles and between juvenile males and females. A subgroup of turtles had electrophoretograms with beta-gamma bridging and a single adult male loggerhead had a prealbumin fraction; however, these subgroups of turtles were excluded from statistical analysis.

Development of a recombinant antibody ELISA test for the detection ofPolymyxa betaeand its use in resistance screening

An ELISA test was developed for the quantitative detection of the obligate parasitePolymyxa betae, the vector ofBeet necrotic yellow vein virus(BNYVV), in infected sugarbeet roots. The test used monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies raised to a recombinantly expressed glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) fromP. betae. A close correlation was found between the number ofP. betaezoospores in serially diluted suspensions and absorbance values in the ELISA test. Time‐course studies of plants grown in naturally infested soils in controlled environment tests demonstrated the value of the ELISA test in screening forP. betaeresistance. In preliminary tests,P. betae‐resistant accessions of the wild sea beet (Beta vulgarisssp.maritima), which might be used to restrict the transmission of BNYVV, were identified.

PCB and DDT contamination in cultivated and wild sea bass from Ria de Aveiro, Portugal

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and metabolites were quantified in muscle and liver of sea bass ( Dicentrarchus labrax) collected in Ria de Aveiro and in two fish farms. Sea bass from natural environment showed lower levels than fish from farming, which may be partly attributed to the higher lipid content of cultivated fish. PCB congener distribution in tissues of sea bass from the two farms resembled that of diet pellets suggesting that commercial diet is a major source of PCBs. However, fish in the two sites were fed with diet of similar PCB and DDT contamination but showed distinct levels in its tissues not explained by lipid content.

Skeletal quality assessment of reared and wild sharpsnout sea bream and pandora juveniles

In this study, skeletal descriptors of wild and reared juveniles of sharpsnout sea bream ( Diplodus puntazzo) and pandora ( Pagellus erythrinus) were compared to assess the quality of farmed individuals. A total of 1016 wild and reared juveniles of sharpsnout sea bream and pandora were inspected for skeletal abnormalities and a qualitative evaluation of aquaculture production was achieved. The applied approach was based on the analysis of meristic character counts, and incidence and pattern of skeletal anomalies. Correspondence Analysis (CA), Multi-Response Permutation Procedure (MRPP) and Indicator Species Analysis were performed on a data matrix. Such methodology allowed the identification of different levels of disturbance generated by the captive conditions.

Growth and Feed Utilization of Captive Wild Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata at Four Different Densities in a Recirculating Tank System

AbstractA study to determine the effects of four stocking densities on growth and feed utilization of wild‐caught black sea bass Centropristis striata was conducted in a pilot‐scale recirculating tank system. The outdoor system consisted of 12 insulated fiberglass tanks (dia. = 1.85 m; vol. = 2.17 m3) supported by biological filters, UV sterilizers, and heat pumps. Subadults (N= 525; ×± SD = 249 ± 16.8 g) were stocked at densities of 4.6 fish/m3 (1.18 kg/m3), 16 fish/ m3 (3.91 kg/m3), 25.3 fish/m3 (6.83 kg/m3), and 36 fish/m3 (7.95 kg1m3), with three replicate tanks per treatment. Fish were grown under 35 ppt salinity, 21‐25 C, and under ambient photoperiod conditions. A commercial flounder diet containing 50% protein and 12% lipid was hand‐fed twice daily to satiation for 201 d.Mean (range) total ammonia‐nitrogen, 0.61 (0‐2.1) mg/L, nitrite‐nitrogen, 0.77 (0.04‐3.6) mg/L, and nitrate‐nitrogen 40.1 (0‐306) mg/L were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.0001) in the 25.3 and 36 fish/m3 treatments than in the 4.6 and 16 fish/m3 treatments [0.19 (0.05‐0.5), 0.1 (0.24‐0.63), and 11.9 (1.3‐82.2) mg/L, respectively]. However, there were no significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) in growth (RGR = 196.8‐243.1%; DWG = 2.55‐2.83 g/d; and SGR = 0.55‐0.61%/d), coefficient of variation of body weight (CwtV., = 0.24‐0.25), condition factor (K = 2.2‐2.4), feed consumption (FC = 1.45‐1.65%/d), and feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.45‐1.52) among stocking densities. Final biomass densities on day 201 reached 3.48, 12.0, 21.1, and 27.2 kg/m3 at stocking densities of 4.6, 16, 25.3, and 36 fish/m3, respectively. Survival (83.8‐99.1%) did not differ among treatments. Apparent net protein retention (ANPR) was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.005) for fish stocked at the lower densities of 4.6 and 16 fish/m3 (22.5‐23.7%) than for those stocked at 25.3 and 36 fish/m3 (21‐20.1%). There were no significant differences (P &gt; 0.05) in apparent net energy retention (ANER = 55.9‐59.1 %) among stocking densities. Final whole body protein (15.3‐16.3%) and lipid (23.1‐26.4%) levels did not differ significantly (P &gt; 0.05) among treatments.The results demonstrated that growth, survival, and feed utilization were not impaired under stocking densities ranging from 4.6‐36 fish/m3 (3.48‐27.2 kg/m3), despite a slight reduction in water quality at the higher densities. In addition, growth variation and final whole body protein and lipid levels were not influenced by these densities. The results suggest that black sea bass are tolerant of crowding and moderate variations in water quality during intensive culture in recirculating tank systems and that higher stocking densities are possible.

COMPENSATORY GROWTH IN OCEANIC LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES: RESPONSE TO A STOCHASTIC ENVIRONMENT

Compensatory growth (CG, accelerated growth that may occur when an organism that has grown at a reduced rate as a result of suboptimal environmental conditions is exposed to better conditions) is considered an adaptation to variable environments. Although documented thoroughly under captive conditions, CG has rarely been studied in wild populations. In their first years of life, oceanic-stage loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have relatively little control over their geographic position or movements and thus have an extremely stochastic lifestyle with great variation in food availability and temperature. This environmental variation results in variable growth rates. We evaluate somatic growth functions of oceanic-stage loggerheads from the eastern Atlantic based on skeletochronology that allowed us to assign age and cohort to each individual. We demonstrate CG in these turtles based on three different analytical approaches: changes in coefficients of variation in size-at-age, generalized additive model regression analyses of somatic growth, and linear regression of age-specific growth rates. As a result of CG, variation in size-at-age in these juvenile loggerheads is substantially reduced. Thus, size is a better predictor of age than expected based on variation in growth rates. CG decreases with age, apparently as loggerheads gain greater control over their movements. In addition, we have evaluated for the first time in wild sea turtles the time-dependent nature of somatic growth by distinguishing among age, year, and cohort effects using a mixed longitudinal sampling design with assigned-age individuals. Age and year had significant effects on growth rates, but there was no significant cohort effect. Our results address critical gaps in knowledge of the demography of this endangered species. Corresponding Editor: R. J. Etter.

Fatty acid composition of wild and cultivated gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

AbstractTotal lipid content and fatty acid composition were determined for wild and cultivated gilthead seabream and sea bass. Fatty acid analyses were carried out by gas chromatography‐ mass spectrometry. Respective total lipid content of flesh in cultivated gilthead seabream and sea bass were 1.7‐5.0‐times those of wild samples. Palmitic acid (C16:0) and oleic acid (C18:1n‐9) were the major fatty acids respectively among the saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids of each fish species. It is noteworthy that both linoleic acid (C18:2n‐6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n‐6) were predominant in total n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the respective cultivated and wild types. Eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5n‐3) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n‐3) amounts were significantly higher in flesh of cultivated fish than in wild fish.

Comparison of Meristic Variations and Bone Abnormalities between Wild and Laboratory-Reared Red Sea Bream

To obtain basic information for the production of healthy and vigorous larvae and juveniles, a comparative study on meristic variations and bone abnormalities between wild and laboratory-reared red sea bream, Pagrus major, was undertaken. Although 95% of the specimens of wild juveniles had a definite number of dorsal fin rays, reared juveniles exhibited extensive variations, and the latter had fewer pectoral fin rays than the former. Bone abnormalities included the transformation of spines to soft rays, shrinkage of lower jaw, pug-headness, shrinkage of anterior centra, fusion of vertebrae, abnormal pterygiophores, etc. Detailed observations of cleared and double-stained specimens revealed that wild juveniles had an average of 0.2 abnormal bones per specimen, whereas, the reared ones had an average of 2.04-21.4 abnormal bones per specimen, depending on the groups. Therefore, reared fishes showed many abnormalities, although they appeared to be normal based on external observation. The causes of these abnormalities have not been elucidated, except for the lordosis. Abnormalities of reared fishes seemed to affect bones and cartilage as well as other tissues, such as the deformity of the inter-nostril epidermis in one case. It is likely that various defects associated with rearing conditions induce a variety of abnormalities. Aquaculturists should attempt to produce larvae and juveniles which are similar in morphological, behavioral, physiological and biochemical characteristcs to wild ones.

Comparison of cultured and wild sea scallops Placopecten magellanicus, using behavioral responses and morphometric and biochemical indices

As the survival of juvenile scallops released onto the seabed is of critical importance in programs seeking to enhance scallop populations, the basis of the vulnerability of seeded cultured scallops needs to be understood. High mortality rates following seeding operations could reflect weaker predator escape responses by cultured scallops. Thus, we compared behavioral responses as well as morphometric and biochemical measurements of cultured and wild sea scallops Placopecten magellanicus (35 to 45 mm shell height) sampled in August 1999 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, eastern Canada. Cultured scallops had larger somatic tissues and higher muscle energetic contents than their wild counterparts. This may reflect the more favorable temperatures and better food supply during suspension culture. When faced with the starfish predator Asterias vulgaris, cultured scallops re- sponded with a greater number of claps, longer clapping period and faster recuperation of clapping performance. However, wild scallops had stronger shells and showed more intense escape responses (higher clapping rate) to the starfish. These differences contribute to making cultured scallops more vulnerable to predation by grasping predators (crabs) and asteroids.

Gonadal development and expression profiles of gonadotropin genes in wild sea conger, Ariosoma meeki

Reproductive physiology of an anguilliform fish, wild sea conger (Ariosoma meeki) was studied. Spawning season of this species is between July and August, and their oocytes showed synchronous development. mRNA levels of GTH subunits increased in accordance with gonadal development and decreased after spawning. Present results were inconsistent with our previous results in artificially matured Japanese eel.

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The wild sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L) is distributed in Mongeiia along the basin of rivers and lakes, which disposed between high mountains in western and northern parts ofthe country. The wild sea buckthorn is a cold tolerant unique plant with beneficial value of medicinal and cosmetic products. About 7.2% of wild sea buckthorn berries belongs to seeds and the pratein in seeds composed 37.79%, while the protein in shells equal to 15.25%. Best extraction of protiens was successful at value of pH=l- 3 or pH=10-12. The soluble protein content ofthe whole proteins in seeds was 37.4% at the value of pH=1 and 63.85% at pH=12, while the shell proteins were 16.2% and 22.8%, respectively. The tan1 content of essential amino acids is composed about 43.32-45.04% of whole protein. ~ h e r ~ f ~it icean, be conclude that the sea buckthorn seeds are valuable resourse containing respectable amount of valuable proteins. Qn the other hand, seeds are undamageble during technological procedure and, therefore further precessing as raw material is advisable.