Antibacterial activity in the hemolymph of the catarina scallop Argopecten ventricosus

We conducted a search for antibacterial peptide like activity in hemolymph of Argopecten ventricosus. Pre-purification of peptides was done by reverse phase HPLC. Hemolymph acidic supernatant was loaded into a column packed with C18 matrix. Stepwise elutions were performed with 5, 50, 80, and 100 % acetonitrile (ACN) in 0.05 % trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) over 550 min at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min. Absorbance was monitored at 280 nm. Eluted fractions were concentrated under vacuum. Vibrio alginolyticus 138-2 was used as a model to test fractions. Growth inhibition zone were observed at 5 and 50 % ACN. This is the first report of antimicrobial peptide-like activity in hemolymph of a pectinid species

Evaluación de la respuesta productiva e inmune en juveniles de camarón Litopenaeus vannamei alimentado con mezclas probióticas

Shrimp diets with mixtures of probiotics (bacilli or yeasts) were evaluated on the production response and immunological effect on juvenile shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). The results showed a significant effect in growth, food consumption and feed conversion rate when probiotic diet was used. In addition, experimental diets with yeast mixture [C. insectorum (DH5), D. hansenii (DH6, and L1)] had a significantly higher amount of circulating haemocytes than those with bacilli [B. tequilensis (YC5-2), B. endophyticus (YC3-b) and B. endophyticus (C2-2)]. Shrimp fed both experimental diets (3x107 CFU mL-1) had a significantly higher growth and immune parameters when compared with the commercial diet. Both elements can contribute to the sustainable development and health of shrimp farming

The effect of protein and energy levels in diet on the antioxidant activity of juvenile redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens, 1868)

This study determined the influence of dietary crude protein and energy levels on growth, survival, and antioxidant response of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in juvenile redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus. Six practical diets containing three crude protein (CP) levels (28, 35, and 40%) and two energy levels (~18 and 20 kJ·g1) were tested. The control group was fed a commercial shrimp diet. The highest SOD activity (34.8 U·mg1 protein) occurred in the diet with 35% CP and 18 kJ · g1. Soluble protein in tissue of redclaw fed 28 and 35% CP increased, compared to the control. The best mean final weight (9.23 g), weight gain (788%), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.3) occurred with the 35% CP diet. We conclude that a dietary CP content of 35% and 18 kJ · g1 is recommended for production and best immune responses in redclaw

Growth, survival, and superoxide dismutase activity in juvenile Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein, 1951) treated with probiotics

Juvenile seed of the Cortés oyster Crassostrea corteziensis were exposed to Lactobacillus sp. isolated from Nodipecten subnodosus, a mix of Pseudomonas sp. and Burkholderia cepacia, a marine yeast strain, a commercial probiotic (Epicin®), and oxytetracycline to determine their effect on growth, survival, SOD activity, and protein content. Probiotics at the test dose of 50,000 cells ml-1, Epicin and oxytetracycline at 7 mg l -1 were evaluated during 30 days of culture. Results showed that growth of C. corteziensis was significantly improved by Lactobacillus sp. and the bacilli mix significantly enhanced survival and SOD activity at the test dose. Protein content did not significantly increase by the treatments used. This study demonstrated the potential use of marine microbiota to improve cultivation of C. corteziensis

Evaluación de medicamentos homeopáticos en la supervivencia y respuesta antioxidante del camarón blanco Litopenaeus vannamei infectado con Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Objective. Evaluating the effect of homeopathic medicines on survival and activity of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme in white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei subjected to infection with the pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Materials and methods. The average lethal dosage (LD50) was determined for the pathogen strain in L. vannamei juveniles under immersion (Imm), injection (Inj) and incision + immersion (Inc+Imm) methods.Four treatments were applied: (1) Mix CIB®-HOM Heel-Mix (TH1), constituted by equal v/v ratio, of Cyme-Heel®, Gal-Heel®, Hepa-Heel®, Mucs-Heel® and Chol-Heel®; (2) Mix CIB®-HOM Pav-Mix (TH2), constituted by the same v/v ratio of Passiflora incarnata, Valeriana officinalis, Zincum valerianicum and Ignatia amara (Similia®); (3) Heel-Mix/Pav-Mix (TH3) consisting of a 1:1 v/v combination of the TH1 and TH2 treatments, and (4) ViT-Mix (TH4), constituted by Vidatox®, and a control (not treated/infected). Results. While applying the methods Imm, Inj and Inc+Imm, LD50 was 0.9 x 106; 0.6 x 106 and 0.5 x 106 UFC.mL-1, respectively. At the end of the challenge, the groups treated with TH2, TH3 and TH4 had a greater survival rate to that of the control group (p<0.05). Moreover, these two last treatments showed a greater SOD activity with respect to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions. The homeopathic treatments (TH3 and TH4) increased survival and SOD activity in L. vannamei juveniles challenged with V. parahaemolyticus, which suggests that the homeopathic treatments employed had the potential as an alternative for the control of V. parahaemolyticus and its associated diseases, including the early mortality syndrome in shrimp farming.Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de medicamentos homeopáticos sobre la supervivencia y actividad de la enzima superóxido dismutasa (SOD) del camarón Litopenaeus vannamei sometido a infección con Vibrio parahamolyticus. Materiales y Métodos. Se determinó la dosis letal media (DL50) para la cepa patógena en juveniles de L. vannamei, bajo los método de inmersión (Inm), inyección (Iny) e incisión + inmersión (Inc+Inm).Luego el efecto de cuatro medicamentos homeopáticos sobre juveniles de L. vannamei retados con Vibrio parahaemolyticus fue evaluado usando el índice la supervivencia y la actividad SOD. Se aplicaron cuatro tratamientos: (1) Mezcla CIB®-HOM Heel-Mix (TH1), constituido por igual proporción v/v, de Cyme-Heel®, Gal-Heel®, Hepa-Heel®, Mucs-Heel® y Chol-Heel®; (2) Mezcla CIB®-HOM Pav-Mix (TH2), constituido por igual proporción v/v de Passiflora incarnata, Valeriana officinalis, Zincum valerianicum e Ignatia amara (Similia®); (3) Heel-Mix/Pav-Mix (TH3) constituido por una combinación 1:1 v/v de los tratamientos TH1 y TH2, y (4) ViT-Mix (TH4), constituido por Vidatox®, y un control (no tratado/infectado). Resultados. Al aplicar los método Inm, Iny e Inc+Inm la DL50 fue de 0.9 x 106; 0.6 x 106 y 0.5 x 106 UFC.mL-1, respectivamente. Los camarones tratados con TH3 y TH4 presentaron una mayor actividad de SOD con respecto al grupo control (p<0.05). Al final del reto, los grupos TH2, TH3 y TH4 tuvieron una supervivencia mayor a la del grupo control (p<0.05). Conclusiones. Los tratamientos homeopáticos (TH3 y TH4), aumentaron la actividad de la enzima SOD y la supervivencia en juveniles de L. vannamei, retados con V. parahaemolyticus. Esto sugiere que los tratamientos homeopáticos empleados tienen potencial como alternativa para el control de V. parahaemolyticus y sus enfermedades asociadas, incluido el síndrome de mortalidad temprana en el cultivo del camaró

Crecimiento y supervivencia del camarón Penaeus vannamei con aplicación de actinomicetos probióticos y homeopatía

The effect of probiotic bacteria and homeopathic medicines on growth, survival and water quality in the culture of juveniles of White Pacific shrimp Penaeus vannamei was evaluated. Four experimental groups were treated for 30 days with two probiotic strains of Streptomyces spp. RL8 (T1) and N7 (T2), homeopathic products developed in CIBNOR from pathogenic bacteria [ViP-7C + VIA-7C] (T3), homeopathic medicines for humans [PhA-7C + SIT-7C] (T4) and distilled water as a control group (T5). Shrimp treated with T2, T3 and T4 showed a significantly greater weight gain (P<0,05) compared to the T5 control. The average daily weight gain was significantly higher (P<0,05) in shrimp treated with T2 and T3, compared to T5. With respect to the survival rate, there were significant differences (P<0,05) between the treated groups (T1, T2 and T3) and the control group (T5). The density of Vibrio spp. in the culture water was significantly lower (P<0,05) in T1, T3 and T4 than in T5. With reference to T5, a significant reduction (P<0,05) of vibrios in the hepatopancreas was observed in all experimental groups. As a counterpart, the abundance of total marine heterotrophic bacteria in the hepatopancreas in all experimental groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) compared to the control. These results demonstrate that the application of probiotic actinomycetes and homeopathic medicines has potential as an alternative to the use and abuse of expensive and potentially harmful antibiotics, since in addition to maintaining good water quality they promote growth and survival of P. vannanmei, they are bio-safe and could be economically competitive for application in the commercial cultivation of the species.Se evaluó el efecto de bacterias probióticas y medicamentos homeopáticos sobre el crecimiento, la supervivencia y la calidad del agua en el cultivo de juveniles del camarón blanco del pacífico Penaeus vannamei. Cuatro grupos experimentales fueron tratados durante 30 días con dos cepas probióticas de Streptomyces spp. RL8 (T1) y N7 (T2), con productos homeopáticos desarrollados en CIBNOR a partir de bacterias patógenas [ViP-7C+VIA-7C] (T3), con medicamentos homeopáticos para humanos [PhA-7C+SIT-7C] (T4) y con agua destilada como grupo control (T5). Los camarones tratados con T2, T3 y T4 mostraron una ganancia significativamente mayor en peso (P<0.05) con respecto a T5. El peso diario ganado fue significativamente mayor (P<0,05) en los camarones tratados con T2 y T3, con respecto a T5. Se registraron diferencias significativas (P<0,05) en la tasa de supervivencia de camarones tratados con T1, T2 y T3, con respecto al control (T5). La densidad de Vibrio spp. en el agua de cultivo fue significativamente menor (P<0,05) en T1, T3 y T4, que en T5. Tomando como referencia a T5, en todos los grupos experimentales se observó una reducción significativa (P<0,05) de vibrios en el hepatopáncreas. Como contraparte, la abundancia de bacterias heterótrofas marinas totales en el hepatopáncreas en todos los grupos experimentales fue significativamente mayor (P<0,05) con respecto al control (T5). Estos resultados demuestran que la aplicación de actinomicetos probióticos y de medicamentos homeopáticos tiene potencial como alternativa al uso y abuso de antibióticos costosos y potencialmente nocivos, ya que además de mantener buena calidad del agua promueven el crecimiento y la supervivencia de P. vannanmei, son bio-seguros y podrían ser económicamente competitivos para su aplicación en el cultivo comercial de la especie

The scope of the crustacean immune system for disease control

The culture or wild capture of marine and freshwater shellfish, including crustaceans, is without doubt a key source of protein for a burgeoning world population. Historically the expansion of aquaculture has, however, been accompanied by the increased incidence of economically significant diseases, most notably of viral and bacterial origin. Since the late 1970s great progress has been made in our understanding of the generalized protostome innate immune system. Distinct pathways, pathogen receptor proteins and effector molecules have since been identified that are not ancestral or homologous to those of the deuterostomes, including vertebrates. Within the past decade progress has accelerated with the rapid characterisation of new classes of recognition proteins, immune effectors and regulatory pathways. This paper provides a broad overview of our current understanding of invertebrate immunology, taking the crustacean decapod immune system as its focus. Recent developments in the field are described briefly and their implications and potential considered. These advances offer fundamental new insights in our efforts to understand disease in cultured populations and also to develop knowledge of environmental effects on host/pathogen interactions within a fishery context. Of course, challenges do remain, including the lack of an immortal cell line and the limited publically-available genomic resources. These are considered in this review as priorities for future research effort. With the continued application of more insightful technologies, coupled with associated investment, it is expected that the speed at which some of these issues are resolved will accelerate

Dietary enrichment with crude protein content and feed additives (Bacillus spp. and yeast strains) improves growth performance, survival and circulating hemocytes in juvenile White shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei: Enriquecimiento de la dieta con proteína y aditivos alimentarios (cepas de Bacillus spp. y levaduras) mejora el crecimiento, supervivencia y hemocitos circulantes de juveniles de camarón blanco, Litopenaeus vannamei

In this study the enrichment dietary effect with different  crude protein levels (CP) and feed additives on growth, survival, feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed consumption (FC) and total hemocyte count (THC) in juvenile white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei were evaluated. The study covered two bioassays: in the first one, juveniles were daily fed for 45 days with four experimental diets containing: (1) Control, commercial feed (35% CP); (2) 29% CP; (3) 32% CP; (4) 35% CP. After the 29% CP diet was selected, juveniles in bioassay II were daily fed for 45 days with a single CP diet complemented with probiotics: (1) Control, commercial feed (35% CP); (2) 29% CP; (3) 29% CP + Bacillus mix at 1×106 CFUg–1 feed; and (4) 29% CP + yeast mix at 1×106 CFUg–1 feed. Juvenile shrimp fed with experimental diets gained significantly more weight and increased survival, FCR, FC and THC compared with control diet. However, differences among experimental diets were not significant. In bioassay II, juvenile shrimp fed with experimental diet + feed additives significantly increased survival, FCR, FC and THC compared with control diet. Growth of juveniles significantly increased with 29% CP and 29% CP + yeast mix diets, compared with control group. Complementing the diet with yeast mix showed higher survival and THC of juveniles compared with the other experimental treatments. Different CP levels in shrimp diet improved growth, survival and circulating hemocytes, and addition of mixed yeast as feed additive induced better survival and immune response in juvenile shrimp