Roshada Hashim

Partial characterization and activities of proteases from the digestive tract of discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciata)

A series of studies based on biochemical assays and electrophoretical observations was conducted in order to partially characterise various types of proteases present in the digestive tract of discus (Symphysodon aequifasciata), a highly valuable ornamental species. Casein digestion assays revealed the presence of acidic protease from the stomach region with optimum activity at pH 2.0 and alkaline proteases from the intestinal section with optimum activities observed at pH ranging from 7.5 to 9.0 and 11.5 to 12.5, respectively. Further assays with specific substrates and also pre-incubation with specific protease inhibitors showed the importance of trypsin and chymotrypsin in protein digestion while also revealing the presence of serine-proteases and metallo-proteases, respectively. SDS-PAGE technique using casein as substrate and specific protease inhibitors also showed the presence of eight distinct proteases based on molecular weights ranging from 19.2 to 76.5 kDa.

Effects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of a tropical bagrid catfish

A 10 week experiment was conducted to determine theeffects of feeding rate on growth, feed utilizationand body composition of the tropical bagrid catfish,Mystus nemurus. Catfish fingerlings with anaverage initial body weight of 12 g were fed apractical diet (36.2% protein, 16.5 kJ/g diet) atrates of 1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 or 5% of their bodyweight (BW) per day in two equal meals. Watertemperature was approximately 29 °C throughoutthe experiment. Percent weight gain increased almostlinearly with increasing feeding rates up to 2.5%BW/day beyond which no significant (P > 0.05)improvement in weight gain was observed. The specificgrowth rate of catfish fed rations of 1% BW/day was0.72%/day and this increased significantly to anaverage of 1.39%/day for catfish fed 2.5% BW/day andbeyond. Feed utilization did not differ significantly(P > 0.05) between fish fed 1.0 to 2.5%BW/day but decreased when rations were increased to3.0% BW/day and above. Feed efficiency ratio was0.79 for catfish fed 1.0% BW/day compared to a ratioof 0.27 for fish fed at 5% BW/day. Catfish fed 1.0%BW/day had the lowest condition factor, hepato- andviscerosomatic indices, but the highest carcass tobody weight ratio. These fish also had lowerproportions of whole body dry matter, lipid andprotein, carcass dry matter and lipid, and visceraldry matter and lipid than fish in other groups. Therewere no significant differences in either conditionindices or relative body composition of fish fedrations of 2.0 to 5.0% BW/day. Based on the growth,feed efficiency and body composition data obtained, afeeding rate of 2.5% BW per day is recommended forM. nemurus fingerlings raised at 29 °C.

The utilization of seaweed meals as binding agents in pelleted feeds for snakehead (Channa striatus) fry and their effects on growth

Abstract Four local seaweeds (Ulva spp., Sargassum spp., Polycavernosa spp. and Gracilaria spp.) and carrageenan were evaluated as binding agents in pelleted diets for snakehead ( Channa striatus ) fry over a period of 8 weeks. Five isonitrogenous diets were prepared which contained 5% of each binding agent plus 5% wheat flour. The control diet contained 10% wheat flour. The carrageenan-based diet had the best water stability whereas the control diet which contained only wheat flour was the least stable after 60 min. The best growth rate and feed efficiency value was observed for fish fed the carrageenan-wheat flour diet. Among the seaweeds tested, the Ulva spp. meal diet had the best water stability and gave the highest relative growth rate and feed efficiency value. Highest fry survival was obtained for the carrageenan-based diet whilst the lowest was for the Sargassam spp. meal diet.

Production of Hybrid Red Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticus, at Varying Stocking Densities in Portable Canvas Tanks

Abstract The influence of stocking density on the growth, feed utilization and population characteristics of red hybrid tilapia (Oreo-chromis mossambicus×O. niloticus) raised in portable canvas tanks was investigated. Duplicate groups of hybrid red tilapia were stocked into ten canvas tanks each sized 3.05 m ×0.92 m ×1.22 m with a water depth of 0.45 m at a rate of 79, 119, 159, 198 and 328 fish/m3. The fish were maintained on a commercial diet containing 34% crude protein and 4% crude lipid and fed twice daily for 24 weeks. The stocking rate of 79 fish/m3 resulted in the highest specific growth rate (SGR) and relative growth rate (RGR) but was not significantly different from stocking rates of 119 and 159 fish/m3. However, feed conversion ratio (FCR), condition factor (CF), and survival did not differ significantly (P> 0.05) among all stocking densities. Based on these findings, a maximum stocking rate of 159 fish/m3 is recommended for culture of tilapia with this raceway system.

Dietary Prebiotics and Probiotics Influence the Growth Performance, Feed Utilisation, and Body Indices of Snakehead (Channa striata) Fingerlings

This study used a two-phase feeding trial to determine the influence of selected dietary prebiotics and probiotics on growth performance, feed utilisation, and morphological changes in snakehead (Channa striata) fingerlings as well as the duration of these effects over a post-experimental period without supplementation. Triplicate groups of fish (22.46 ±0.17 g) were raised on six different treatment diets: three prebiotics (0.2% β-glucan, 1% galacto-oligosaccharides [GOS], 0.5% mannan-oligosaccharides [MOS]), two probiotics (1% live yeast [Saccharomyces cerevisiae] and 0.01% Lactobacillus acidophilus [LBA] powder) and a control (unsupplemented) diet; there were three replicates for each treatment. All diets contained 40% crude protein and 12% crude lipid. Fish were fed to satiation three times daily. No mortalities were recorded during Phase 1; however, 14% mortality was documented in the control and prebiotic-amended fish during Phase 2. At the end of Phase 1, growth performance and feed utilisation were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the LBA-treated fish, followed by live yeast treatment, compared with all other diets tested. The performance of fish on the three prebiotic diets were not significantly different from one another but was significantly higher than the control diet. During Phase 2 (the post-feeding phase), fish growth continued until the 6th week for the probiotic-based diets but levelled off after four weeks for the fish fed the prebiotic diets. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) was higher in all treatments during the post-feeding period. The hepatosomatic index (HSI) did not differ significantly among the tested diets. The visceral somatic index (VSI) and intraperitoneal fat (IPF) were highest in the LBA-based diet and the control diet, respectively. The body indices were significantly different (p<0.05) between Phases 1 and 2. This study demonstrates that probiotic-based diets have a more positive influence on the growth, feed utilisation, and survival of C. striata fingerlings compared with supplementation with prebiotics.

Amino Acid Profile of Various Body Tissues and Eggs of Discus Fish, Symphysodon aequifasciata

Abstract Amino acid profiles of various body tissues from juvenile and adult discus fish, Symphysodon aequifasciata, were compared. Results from whole-body tissue revealed significant difference (P < 0.05) between the levels of lysine, phenylalanine, alanine, aspartic acid, and serine among the two different fish sizes. Levels of arginine, histidine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, and threonine were also higher in muscle tissue of adult fishes. Analysis of gill tissues showed significant difference in levels of histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, proline, and serine were significantly different among the different fish stages. This study also showed that among all ten essential amino acids, muscle had the highest levels of histidine, isoleucine, lysine, and tryptophan; gills had the highest level of arginine; while levels of methionine and threonine were higher in the intestinal tissue. Regression analysis between the calculated whole-body A/E ratio of discus juveniles and with quantitative dietary amino acid requirements of several fish species also showed significant correlation, with highest r values (> 0.90) obtained with tilapia, common carp, channel catfish, and Japanese eel. This profile may be useful as a preliminary reference index to evaluate suitability of various ingredients in terms of amino acid profile for development of economical diet for discus farming.

Inhibition of protease activities in discus Symphysodon spp. by three plant meals

Based on biochemical assays and electrophoretical methods, the inhibitory effects of three plant meals (soybean meal, wheat meal, winged bean meal) on digestive alkaline proteases of discus were investigated. Casein assays revealed that increasing levels of soybean meal caused a linear inhibitory effect on activity of protease. SDS-PAGE images revealed that trypsin and chymotrypsin were the inhibited enzymes. Soybean showed the lowest inhibition rate followed by wheat meal and raw winged bean. There was a quadratic relationship between wheat meal levels and its inhibition of protease acitivity. The highest inhibitory effect was obtained with the winged bean meal with inhibition of caseinolytic activities ranging from 3.6–98.6%. Results from this study showed the potential of both soybean meal and wheat meal as ingredients for practical diet for discus, while demonstrating the need for further improvement in processing method for winged bean meal.

Effect of dietary prebiotics and probiotics on snakehead (Channa striata) health: Haematology and disease resistance parameters against Aeromonas hydrophila

ABSTRACT This study examined the effect of dietary prebiotics and probiotics after 16 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of post feeding trial with the control unsupplemented diet on haematological and immune response against Aeromonas hydrophila infection in Channa striata fingerlings. Fish were raised on a 40% protein and 12% lipid feed containing three commercial prebiotics (&bgr;‐glucan, GOS or galacto‐oligosaccharide, MOS or mannan‐oligosaccharide); and two probiotics‐ (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus acidophilus), respectively and a control. Throughout the study, supplementation with dietary prebiotics and probiotics led to significant (P < 0.05) improvement in the red blood cells, white blood cells, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and serum protein level and lysozyme activities; and these improvements were effective significantly (P < 0.05) when the fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila at the dose of 2 × 106. The disease resistance against A. hydrophila was higher significantly (P < 0.05) in fish fed with probiotic feed supplements (L.acidophilus was highest) compared to prebiotics and control. The study is the first to report the absence of differences in sustaining the efficacies attained after intake of &bgr;‐glucan, GOS and MOS upon post‐feeding with an unsupplemented feed, over a prolonged period. HighlightsDietary pre‐ and probiotics triggered the good health in Channa striata.The efficacies of &bgr;‐glucan, GOS and MOS were NULL over a prolonged period of use.Dietary pre‐ and probiotics demonstrated protective barrier against pathogen.Expression of immunological blood parameters upregulated against A. hydrophila.

A Comparative Study on Physicochemical Characteristics of Raw Goat Milk Collected from Different Farms in Malaysia

This study was conducted to determine the physical and chemical composition of goat milk produced by eight local farms located in the central region of Malaysia. Farms 1 to 4 (F1-SC, F2-SP, F3-SP, F4-SBC) reared Saanen-type goats while farms 5 to 8 (F5-JK, F6-JPEC, F7-JTC, F8-JC), Jamnapari-type goats. The common feedstuffs used in all farms comprised of fresh or silage from Napier grass, feed pellets, and brans while two farms, F5-JK and F6-JPEC supplemented the feeds with soybean-based product. The total solid content, dry matter, and proximate composition of goat milk and feedstuffs from the different farms were determined and the results analysed using principal component analysis. Total solid content of goat milk from the Jamnapari crossbreed had the highest solid content ranging from 11.81% to 17.54% compared to milk from farms with Saanen and Saanen crossbreed (10.95% to 14.63%). Jamnapari-type goats from F5-JK, F6-JPEC, and F8-JC had significantly higher (p < 0.05) milk fat and protein contents (7.36%, 7.14%, and 6.59% fat; 5.08%, 6.19%, and 4.23% protein, respectively) than milk from other farms but, milk produced by Saanen-type goats from F4-SBC contained similar protein content (4.34%) to that from F8-JC. Total ash and carbohydrate contents in milk ranged between 0.67% to 0.86% and 3.26% to 4.71%, respectively, regardless of goat breed. Feeding soybean-based products appear to have a positive influence on milk fat and protein content in Jamnaparitype goats.

Enhancement of Monosex Hybrid Red Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticusProduction in Portable Canvas Tanks Through Mixed-Feeding Strategies

Abstract The viability of mixed-feeding schedules utilizing low-and high-protein diets for the production of monosex hybrid red tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus × O. niloticuswas evaluated. Male red tilapia juveniles (mean initial weight 16.8±0.08 g) stocked at a rate of 159 fish/m3 in canvas tanks (3.05m × 0.92m × 1.22m) were grown under five different feeding schedules for 24 weeks. Two schedules, using low (25%, A) and high (35%, B) dietary protein were designated as control. Three mixed-feeding schedules tested were: the feeding of 1 day of low protein diet followed by 3 days of high-protein diet (1A/3B); 2 days of low-protein diet followed by 3 days of high-protein diet (2A/3B); and 3 days of low-protein diet followed by 3 days of high-protein diet (3A/ 3B). Results showed that growth performance parameters, such as specific growth rate (% SGR), percent gain, and weight gain were significantly higher (P < 0.05) for fish maintained on the feeding schedule of 3A/3B. Similarly, the feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and protein retention values were also significantly better for fish grown under this schedule. In terms of production, the 3A/3B feeding schedule also resulted in the highest total yield (kg/m3) and yield above 250 g. The 3A/3B feeding schedule resulted in a 10.1% protein saving relative to Diet B. These results suggest that a 3A/3B feeding schedule be adopted for the best biological and economical performance of red tilapia.