Medium-chain and long-chain fatty acids have different postabsorptive fates in Atlantic salmon

Effects of dietary fish to rapeseed oil ratio on steatosis symptoms in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L) of different sizes

Choline is recognized as an essential nutrient for Atlantic salmon at all developmental stages. However, its dietary requirement is not well defined. Choline plays a critical role in lipid transport, and the clearest deficiency sign is intestinal steatosis. The present work, aiming to find whether lipid source and fish size may affect steatosis symptoms, was one of a series of studies conducted to identify which production-related conditions may influence choline requirement. Six choline-deficient diets were formulated varying in ratios of rapeseed oil to fish oil and fed to Atlantic salmon of 1.5 and 4.5 kg. After eight weeks, somatic characteristics were observed, and the severity of intestinal steatosis was assessed by histological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Fatty acid composition in pyloric intestine, mesenteric tissue, and liver samples was also quantified. The increasing rapeseed oil level increased lipid digestibility markedly, enhancing lipid supply to the fish. Moreover, small fish consumed more feed, and consequently had a higher lipid intake. In conclusion, the results showed that choline requirement depends on dietary lipid load, which depends on the fatty acid profile as well as the fish size.

Influence of substrate inclusion of quail manure on the growth performance, body composition, fatty acid and amino acid profiles of black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens)

In recent years, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), especially palmitoleic acid (omega-7, POA) and oleic acid (omega-9, OA), have gained increasing notoriety; however, traditional sources of MUFAs have not achieved sustainability. Black soldier fly (BSF) larvae can convert low-quality products into high-quality biomass to be used in many industrial applications. Therefore, this study aims to assess increasing of quail manure on the biological traits of BSF larvae and the bioaccumulation of MUFAs by BSF larvae reared on quail manure, which causes many harmful effects to the environment. Different concentrations of quail manure from 0 to 100% were mixed with wheat bran. The inclusion of quail manure in the substrate resulted in (1) a decrease in saturated fatty acids by 20.20%, (2) accumulation of OA (47.36%), (3) biosynthesis of POA (157.73%) in BSF larvae, and (4) no significant differences in total protein (~38%) or essential amino acids (~43%) of BSF larvae. Inclusion of 40% of quail manure improved the performance of BSF larvae. Therefore, rearing BSF larvae on quail manure is considered to be a renewable and sustainable source of omega-7 and omega-9 for nutraceutical production, pharmaceutical uses, or animal food additives to achieve circular food production.

Sustainable management of Se-rich silkworm residuals by black soldier flies larvae to produce a high nutritional value and accumulate ω-3 PUFA

Waste disposal and utilisation of its important components are pioneering goals for achieving sustainable development and a clean environment. Silkworm pupae (SWP) are considered a by-product of the sericulture industry and may contain a high concentration of selenium (Se) in some regions, making them a potentially hazardous waste posing health risks. This study examined six treatments of Se-rich SWP (0-100%) as a substrate for black soldier fly (BSF) larvae. Growth performance and protein content of BSF larvae were not affected by increasing SWP content. The total fat, mono-, and poly-unsaturated fatty acids in BSF pre-pupae increased with increasing SWP inclusion in the substrate, from P0 (pre-pupae fed control treatment) through P100 (pre-pupae fed 100% SWP treatment), by 18.83, 61.14, and 62.42%, respectively. The results of significance were: (1) BSF pre-pupae did not accumulate Se, maintaining the same amount of Se in their bodies (~0.18 mg/kg); (2) omega-3 fatty acids represented by linolenic acid in BSF increased by 1,223.35% from P0 to P100, with 70.65% recovered from the SWP; (3) valine percentage increased in BSF compared with the percentage of SWP by 25.30%; and (4) BSF larvae were observed reducing SWP waste by more than one-third. BSF larvae can reduce the waste from sericulture industry and exploit the beneficial properties and components of SWP, converting them into safe and highly nutritious products.

Anatomy, immunology, digestive physiology and microbiota of the salmonid intestine: Knowns and unknowns under the impact of an expanding industrialized production

Increased industrialized production of salmonids challenges aspects concerning available feed resources and animal welfare. The immune system plays a key component in this respect. Novel feed ingredients may trigger unwarranted immune responses again affecting the well-being of the fish. Here we review our current knowledge concerning salmon intestinal anatomy, immunity, digestive physiology and microbiota in the context of industrialized feeding regimes. We point out knowledge gaps and indicate promising novel technologies to improve salmonid intestinal health.

Influence of different feeding regimes on the survival, growth, and biochemical composition of Acropora coral recruits

Heterotrophic feeding in newly-settled coral planulae can potentially improve survivorship and accelerate early development in some species; however, an optimal diet to facilitate this does not currently exist. This study evaluated the efficacy of three heterotrophic feeding regimes (enriched rotifers, unfiltered seawater, and a novel, particulate diet), against a wholly-phototrophic treatment on Acropora hyacinthus, A. loripes, A. millepora, and A. tenuis recruits, over 93 days post-settlement. The unfiltered seawater treatment recorded maximum survival for all species (A. hyacinthus 95.9±8.0%, A. loripes: 74.3±11.5%, A. millepora: 67±12.7%, A. tenuis: 53.2±11.3%), although not significant. Growth (% surface area gain) was also greatest in the unfiltered seawater, and this was significant for A. millepora (870±307%) and A. tenuis (693±91.8%) (p<0.05). Although total lipid concentration was relatively stable across treatments, the lipid class composition exhibited species-specific responses to each treatment. Lower saturated and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids appeared beneficial to recruit performance, particularly in the unfiltered seawater, which generally contained the highest levels of 20:5n-3 (EPA), 22:6n-3 (DHA), and 20:4n-6 (ARA). The present study demonstrates the capacity of a nutritionally adequate and readily accepted heterotrophic feeding regime to increase coral recruit survival, growth, and health, which can greatly reduce the time required in cost- and labour-intensive culture.

Influence of different feeding regimes on the survival, growth, and biochemical composition of Acropora coral recruits

Heterotrophic feeding in newly-settled coral planulae can potentially improve survivorship and accelerate early development in some species; however, an optimal diet to facilitate this does not currently exist. This study evaluated the efficacy of three heterotrophic feeding regimes (enriched rotifers, unfiltered seawater, and a novel, particulate diet), against a wholly-phototrophic treatment on Acropora hyacinthus, A. loripes, A. millepora, and A. tenuis recruits, over 93 days post-settlement. The unfiltered seawater treatment recorded maximum survival for all species (A. hyacinthus 95.9±8.0%, A. loripes: 74.3±11.5%, A. millepora: 67±12.7%, A. tenuis: 53.2±11.3%), although not significant. Growth (% surface area gain) was also greatest in the unfiltered seawater, and this was significant for A. millepora (870±307%) and A. tenuis (693±91.8%) (p<0.05). Although total lipid concentration was relatively stable across treatments, the lipid class composition exhibited species-specific responses to each treatment. Lower saturated and higher polyunsaturated fatty acids appeared beneficial to recruit performance, particularly in the unfiltered seawater, which generally contained the highest levels of 20:5n-3 (EPA), 22:6n-3 (DHA), and 20:4n-6 (ARA). The present study demonstrates the capacity of a nutritionally adequate and readily accepted heterotrophic feeding regime to increase coral recruit survival, growth, and health, which can greatly reduce the time required in cost- and labour-intensive culture.

Substitution of dietary fish oil with plant oils is associated with shortened mid intestinal folds in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Background

Fish meal and fish oil are increasingly replaced by ingredients from terrestrial sources in the feeds for farmed salmonids due to expanding production and reduced availability of marine feed raw material. Fish oil that is rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is considered beneficial to human health in general and to prevent intestinal inflammation and carcinogenesis in particular. In contrast, n-6 fatty acids that are present in many vegetable oils have been associated with increased risk of colitis and colon cancer in rodents and humans, as well as lowered transcription levels of certain stress and antioxidant-related genes in Atlantic salmon.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the intestinal health in Atlantic salmon fed with different vegetable oils as partial substitutes of fish oil in the diet. A feed trial lasting for 28 weeks included one reference diet containing fish oil as the sole lipid source and three diets where 80% of the fish oil was replaced by a plant oil blend with either olive oil, rapeseed oil or soybean oil as the main lipid source. These plant oils have intermediate or low n-3/n-6-ratios compared to fish oil having a high n-3/n-6-ratio. The protein and carbohydrate fractions were identical in all the feeds.

Results

Morphometric measurements showed significantly shorter folds in the mid intestine in all groups fed vegetable oils compared to the group fed fish oil. In the distal intestine, the complex folds were significantly shorter in the fish fed soybean oil compared to the fish fed rapeseed oil. Histological and immunohistochemical examination did not show clear difference in the degree of inflammation or proliferation of epithelial cells related to dietary groups, which was further confirmed by real-time RT-PCR which revealed only moderate alterations in the mRNA transcript levels of selected immune-related genes.

Conclusions

Shortened intestinal folds might be associated with reduced intestinal surface and impaired nutrient absorption and growth, but our results suggest that partial substitution of dietary fish oil with vegetable oils does not have any major negative impact on the intestinal health of Atlantic salmon.