Flesh qualitative traits of tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna L.), a promising species candidate for aquaculture, captured in the middle Adriatic Sea in different seasons

The quality traits of the fillets from tub gurnard (Chelidonichthys lucerna L.) fished in the mid-Adriatic Sea were investigated. Forty fishes per season were sampled to evaluate the proximate composition, cholesterol content and fatty acid profile of fillets. Seasons significantly affected the quality traits of flesh. The protein content ranged from 19.39% in winter to 19.67% in summer, without significant differences. Lipid content was notably higher in spring (2.28%) and summer (2.32%), compared to autumn (1.72%) and winter (1.31%). Energy content was significantly higher in spring (416.45 kJ/100 g) and summer (417.97 kJ/100 g) compared to autumn (391.35 kJ/100 g) and winter (372.79 kJ/100 g). Saturated fatty acid content was highest in spring (35.88%), whereas monounsaturated acid content was not influenced by season. The n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content exceeded 37% of total fatty acid content during summer. The n-6/n-3 ratio remained favourably low across all seasons (from 0.16 to 0.18), with a slight significant increase in autumn (0.31). In conclusion, this study indicates that the flesh of tub gurnard has high nutritional value year-round, with the best results (in terms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) being obtained in summer

Correction to: Quality traits of raw and cooked cupped oysters

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Tub gurnard Chelidonichthys lucerna L.: a new fish species suitable for farming? First answers evaluating the growth of juveniles reared at different stocking densities, welfare and fillet quality

A trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and survival of Chelidonichthys lucerna. A total of 13 352 180-days old juveniles (5.5 ± 2 g; 5 ± 1 cm) were reared at two different densities (A-EXP = 68 fish m−3; B-FFA = 15 fish m−3) in eight tanks (four tanks per group) for 360 days. The welfare status and meat quality of fish were evaluated for the A-EXP and B-FFA groups in comparison with wild-caught fishery gurnard (C-WID). The survival rate was high for both A-EXP (79%) and B-FFA (93.5%). B-FFA fish had the highest specific growth rate (1.16 vs. 1.07; P < 0.05), and were heavier than A-EXP fish (321 ± 40 g vs .239 ± 44 g; P < 0.01). Rearing conditions did not affect blood metabolites, except for glucose concentrations, which were higher in C-WID (P < 0.05). The meat quality traits showed that reared groups were fatter (2.8–3.2%) than C-WID (0.94%); total n-3 fatty acids (19.02–19.26%) were lower in reared groups than C-WID (29.99%); and EPA + DHA were similar in all groups (15.1–16.61% vs. 27.99%). Despite the good growth and survival, the final mean weight was below that requested by the market (400–500 g). Future research efforts should focus on reducing the feed conversion rate (3:1)

LED Light Applied to the Feeder: Impact on Growth Performances of Chickens under Productive Conditions

This study assessed the use of feeders equipped with light‐emitting diodes and their effects on the productivity of broiler chickens under productive conditions. A total of 87,200 ROSS 308 chickens, 1‐day old, were housed in two poultry houses (CONTROL, F‐LED). In CONTROL, 20,000 females (mean body weight 41.12 ± 3 g) and 25,000 males (mean body weight 41.56 ± 3 g) were housed, while 19,200 females and 23,000 males of the same genetic make‐up and mean body weight were housed in F‐LED under the same environmental conditions. In F‐LED, to encourage chickens to feed and to redistribute more feed down the feeding line, a feeder equipped with a LED light has been installed at the end of each line. In CONTROL, no light was located on the feeders. At the end of the cycle, the average body weight never showed significant differences both for females (1345 g in CONTROL; 1359 g in F‐LED) and for males (2771 g in CONTROL; 2793 g in FLED). Uniformity improved in F‐LED, at 75.2% in females and 54.1% in males, compared to CONTROL, at 65.7% and 48.5%, respectively, for females and males. The feed conversion ratio followed the same trend, being more favorable in chickens reared in F‐LED (1.567) compared to those raised in CONTROL (1.608). The application of a single F‐LED at the end of each feeding line demonstrated its utility in improving size uniformity and feed conversion