Identification of a delta5-like fatty acyl desaturase from the cephalopod Octopus vulgaris (Cuvier 1797) involved in the biosynthesis of essential fatty acids

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have been identified as essential compounds for common octopus (Octopus vulgaris), but precise dietary requirements have not been determined due in part to the inherent difficulties of performing feeding trials on paralarvae. Our objective is to establish the essential fatty acid (EFA) requirements for paralarval stages of the common octopus through characterisation of the enzymes of endogenous LC-PUFA biosynthetic pathways. In this study we isolated a cDNA with high homology to fatty acyl desaturases (Fad). Functional characterisation in recombinant yeast showed the octopus Fad exhibited ∆5 desaturation activity towards saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acyl substrates. Thus, it efficiently converted the yeast’s endogenous 16:0 and 18:0 to 16:1n-11 and 18:1n-13, respectively, and desaturated exogenously added PUFA substrates, 20:4n-3 and 20:3n-6, to 20:5n-3 (EPA) and 20:4n-6 (ARA), respectively. Although the ∆5 Fad enables common octopus to produce EPA and ARA, the low availability of its adequate substrates 20:4n-3 and 20:3n-6, either in the diet or by limited endogenous synthesis from C18 PUFA, might indicate that EPA and ARA are indeed EFA for this species. Interestingly, the octopus ∆5 Fad can also participate in the biosynthesis of non-methylene interrupted FA, PUFA that are generally uncommon in vertebrates but that have been found previously in marine invertebrates including molluscs, and now also confirmed to be present in specific tissues of common octopus

Oscillatory magnetic tweezers based on ferromagnetic beads and simple coaxial coils

We report the design and validation of simple magnetic tweezers for oscillating ferromagnetic beads in the piconewton and nanometer scales. The system is based on a single pair of coaxial coils operating in two sequential modes: permanent magnetization of the beads through a large and brief pulse of magnetic field and generation of magnetic gradients to produce uniaxial oscillatory forces. By using this two step method, the magnetic moment of the beads remains constant during measurements. Therefore, the applied force can be computed and varies linearly with the driving signal. No feedback control is required to produce well defined force oscillations over a wide bandwidth. The design of the coils was optimized to obtain high magnetic fields (280 mT) and gradients (2 T/m) with high homogeneity (5% variation) within the sample. The magnetic tweezers were implemented in an inverted optical microscope with a videomicroscopy-based multiparticle tracking system. The apparatus was validated with 4.5 ¿m magnetite beads obtaining forces up to ~2 pN and subnanometer resolution. The applicability of the device includes microrheology of biopolymer and cell cytoplasm, molecular mechanics, and mechanotransduction in living cells

Plan of joint action for reactivation of agriculture in the Caribbean countries.

Versión español: 98 páginas; English version: 90 pages; English preliminar version: 90 pagesContiene una propuesta para los países del Caribe en el marco del Plan de Acción Conjunta para la Reactivación Agropecuaria en América Latina y el Caribe (PLANALC), promovido y desarrollado por el IICA. Se analizan los antecedentes políticos, principales características de la estructura económica de la región y la base de recursos, y examen del desempeño económico; un examen de las iniciativas tomadas en el plano regional para promover el desarrollo agrícola; los temas complementarios referidos a la racionalización de las opciones políticas para el sector agrícola y la identificación de algunos campos clave de acción para el proceso de modernización y revitalización. Finalmente se examinan las posibilidades de integración y cooperación entre los países de América Latina y el Caribe; identifica vínculos entre la agricultura y otros sectores, particularmente en la agroindustria, la comercialización, el turismo y los servicios; además, el papel primordial del agricultor y de los arreglos institucionales, ubicándolos en el contexto de la generación, transferencia de tecnología, biotecnología, información, investigación, desarrollo, y administración eficaz de los recursos.It contains a proposal for the Caribbean countries within the framework of the Joint Action Plan for Agricultural Reactivation in Latin America and the Caribbean (PLANALC), promoted and developed by IICA. The political antecedents, main characteristics of the economic structure of the region and the resource base are analyzed, and an examination of the economic performance; a review of initiatives taken at the regional level to promote agricultural development; the complementary topics referred to the rationalization of the political options for the agricultural sector and the identification of some key fields of action for the modernization and revitalization process. Finally, the possibilities of integration and cooperation among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are examined; identifies links between agriculture and other sectors, particularly agribusiness, marketing, tourism, and services; in addition, the primary role of the farmer and the institutional arrangements, placing them in the context of the generation, transfer of technology, biotechnology, information, research, development, and effective administration of resources

Oscillatory magnetic tweezers based on ferromagnetic beads and simple coaxial coils

We report the design and validation of simple magnetic tweezers for oscillating ferromagnetic beads in the piconewton and nanometer scales. The system is based on a single pair of coaxial coils operating in two sequential modes: permanent magnetization of the beads through a large and brief pulse of magnetic field and generation of magnetic gradients to produce uniaxial oscillatory forces. By using this two step method, the magnetic moment of the beads remains constant during measurements. Therefore, the applied force can be computed and varies linearly with the driving signal. No feedback control is required to produce well defined force oscillations over a wide bandwidth. The design of the coils was optimized to obtain high magnetic fields (280 mT) and gradients (2 T/m) with high homogeneity (5% variation) within the sample. The magnetic tweezers were implemented in an inverted optical microscope with a videomicroscopy-based multiparticle tracking system. The apparatus was validated with 4.5 ¿m magnetite beads obtaining forces up to ~2 pN and subnanometer resolution. The applicability of the device includes microrheology of biopolymer and cell cytoplasm, molecular mechanics, and mechanotransduction in living cells

X Conferencia Interamericana de Ministros de Agricultura: Bases para una estrategia de desarrollo agropecuario y agroindustrial en América Latina y el Caribe

272 páginasLa conferencia se concentra en el desarrollo de la agricultura y su capacidad en crecimiento económico, capaz de contribuir a la reactivación y el desarrollo de los países de América Latina y el Caribe. Se presentan planeamientos estratégicos, programas y proyectos, mecanismo de ejecución, formulados tanto a nivel regional como en subregiones

Effects of parental diets supplemented with different lipid sources on Octopus maya embryo and hatching quality

Versión del editor2,041

Effects of parental diets supplemented with different lipid sources on Octopus maya embryo and hatching quality

Versión del editor2,041

Lipid classes from marine species and meals intended for cephalopod feeding

In this study, HPTLC was used to make a quantitative analysis of the total lipid content (TL dry weight) and their classes in 39 samples, including molluscs, crustaceans, fish and meals in an attempt to identify those most suitable for formulating diets for cephalopods by reference to an index of nutritional quality (OILC: Oser's index modified for lipid classes). All the crustaceans analysed (< 10% TL), fish from artisanal fisheries such as Boops boops, Gadus poutassou, Mugil sp. and Gadus minutus (< 10% TL) and the plant meals (TL < 5%) would cause fewer digestive problems than the fish that were a by-catch from fish farms (B. boops or Sparus aurata), pelagic species (Sardina pilchardus or Trachurus trachurus) or krill meal, which are characterised by their high lipid content (20-60% TL). These latter feeds were associated with neutral lipids, mainly triglycerides during the summer. Mytilus galloprovincialis, Carcinus maenas, G. poutassou, Mugil sp., S. pilchardus and G. minutus had a more appropriate lipid content and profile during the winter, when they showed a higher OILC due to the greater variety of polar lipid classes they contained. Phospholipids like PS, PI and PE seem to be limiting nutrients in cephalopods because of their high content (78-542, 41-309 and 152-2,114 mg/100 g, respectively) compared with the rest of the samples. None of the meals analysed showed a good nutritional balance per se and should only be used in conjunction with other foods.Project financed by the National Marine Culture Plans of JACUMAR. We thank the personnel of IRTA, ICCM, IFAPA and IEO for their help in the analytical techniques used.Cerezo Valverde, J.; Hernández, MD.; García Garrido, S.; Rodríguez, C.; Estefanell, J.; Gairin, JI.; Rodríguez, CJ.... (2012). Lipid classes from marine species and meals intended for cephalopod feeding. 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Effect of different proportions of crab and squid in semi-moist diets for octopus maya juveniles.

During the present study, the effect of five semi-humid experimental diets with different proportions of crab and squid were tested, on juveniles of the red octopus, Octopus maya. For this, five prepared diets based on crab and squid (SC50, SC60, SC70, SC80, and SC90; the number indicates the percentage of squid in each diet), were fed to juvenile O. maya during 60 days. Feeding and growth rates, survival, glycogen content in muscle, soluble protein and digestive enzymes activity in digestive gland (DG), fatty acids and amino acid composition of diets and octopus juvenile were determined. Higher growth, survival and nutritional condition was obtained with diets SC50, SC60 and SC70 compared to SC80 and SC90 (P < .05). A direct relation between glycogen concentration in the muscle and the digestive gland (DG), as well as soluble protein in the DG were also obtained for octopuses fed these three diets. Higher alkaline and acid protease activity were found on octopuses fed SC60 and SC90, respectively (P < .05). Results suggest that a proportion of 70% squid and 30% crab may be considered adequate to satisfy nutritional requirements for the fattening of O. maya juveniles. Nevertheless, a proportion of 30% of crab in the diet, is still high, regarding production costs and profitability, and further research will focus on the total replacement of crab by less expensive raw material with similar nutritional value, to increase economic viability of commercial O. maya culture