Sponge Fishery and Aquaculture in Cuba: Impacts and Challenges

Sponges are very primitive multicellular organisms that belong to phylum Porifera; they are sessile and live attached to different types of hard and soft substrates. Sponges have different shapes and colours and very varied sizes, from a few millimetres to more than 2 m in height. They inhabit mainly in the marine environment at different depths. This chapter describes the general biological characteristics of sponges, their properties, uses and applications. Moreover, this study discusses a commercial fishery analysis of this natural resource in Cuba during the period 1970–2017, as well as the different characteristics of their natural populations subjected to commercial extraction. The applied techniques for aquaculture, harvest and postharvest processing are reviewed, including those procedures adapted from other countries or locally developed by Cuban fishermen. Finally, this study examines the challenges and perspectives of this productive activity with a long-term eco-sustainable approach

Temporal coincidence of the annual eelgrass Zostera marina and juvenile scallops Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby II, 1842) in Bahía Concepción, Mexico

Temporal coincidence of the annual eelgrass Zostera marina and juvenile scallops Argopecten ventricosus (Sowerby II, 1842) in Bahia Concepcion, Mexico

Morpho-physiological Characteristics of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) under NaCl-stress and Rhizophagus fasciculatum as NaCl-stress Mitigator

Salinity stress is one of the main problems limiting growth and development of cultivated species. The objective of this study was to assess NaCl-stress basil plants (Ocimum basilicum L.) cv. ‘Nufar’ and to determine whether the mitigating effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus strain (AMF). A completely randomized factorial design was used considering three NaCl concentration (0, 50 and 100 mM) as factor 1 and presence or absence of AMF (0 and 10 g of inoculum) as factor 2, with four replicates per treatment and four plants per repetition. The assessed response variables were, fresh and dry of aerial part and root, root length, leaf area, relative water content, water potential, plant height, number of spores and mycorrhizal colonization percentage after 20 and 50 days (T20, T50) of the experiment. The results showed greater values in all variables in the control group (0 mM NaCl) than in plants inoculated with R. fasciculatum with T20 and T50; although values decreased as NaCl concentration increased; the tendency to increase was maintained even in at 50 and 100 mM of NaCl with AMF with respect to 50 and 100 mM NaCl without AMF. The AMF colonization percentage decreased as NaCl concentration increased. Nonetheless, the development and growth response for all variables in the inoculated plants with AMF was greater vs non-inoculated, which suggests that basil plant inoculation with AMF has a positive effect in mitigating NaCl stress

Análisis del perfil lipídico y aminoacídico de hojas deshidratadas de Moringa oleifera (L.) y su potencial como suplemento dietético en acuicultura de moluscos

Moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) is an arboreal species native to India, adaptable to various climates. This species provides benefits for human health as it is a source of vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated fatty acids, although its use in aquaculture is scarce. In this research, the lipid and amino acid profiles of dehydrated moringa leaf meal was analyzed as a viable and quality input for mollusks aquaculture. The results revealed in the lipid profile the presence of α-linolenic acid 13.9 mg/g (ω-3) of the dry matter and also to a lesser degree, linoleic acid with 3.13 mg/g (ω-6). The α-linolenic acid is a precursor in the metabolic pathway of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) with bioregulatory functions and linoleic acid fulfills structural functions in cell membranes, being considered essential inputs for initial nutrition in mollusks. The protein content analyzed was 29,5% with a total of 17 amino acids, of which 9 are essential, standing out among them alanine (13,1%), non-essential and leucine (7,9%) essential, generating a food high quality protein. Due to these qualities found in the dehydrated leaf meal of M. oleifera, it is suggested that this meal could be used as a potential high-quality phytonutrient and supplements in mollusks feeding. Keywords: Moringa oleifera; phytonutrient; plant supplement; nutritional quality; lipidic profileLa moringa (Moringa oleifera L.) es una especie arbórea originaria de la India, adaptable a diversos climas. Esta especie otorga beneficios para la salud humana por ser fuente de vitaminas, minerales y ácidos grasos polinsaturados, aunque su uso acuícola es escaso. En esta investigación se analizó el perfil lipídico y aminoacídico de harina de hojas deshidratadas de moringa, como un insumo viable y de calidad para la acuicultura de moluscos. Los resultados revelaron en el perfil lipídico la presencia de ácido α-linolénico 13,9 mg/g (ω-3) de la materia seca y también en menor grado, ácido linoléico con 3,13 mg/g (ω-6); el ácido α- linolénico es precursor en vía metabólica del ácido eicosapentaenoico (EPA) y ácido docosahexaenoico (DHA) con funciones biorreguladoras y el ácido linoléico cumple funciones estructurales en las membranas celulares, siendo considerados insumos esenciales para la nutrición inicial en moluscos. El contenido proteico analizado fue de 29,5% con un total de 17 aminoácidos, de los cuales 9 son esenciales, destacándose entre ellos alanina (13,1%), no esencial y leucina (7,9%) esencial, generando un alimento de alta calidad proteica. Debido a estas cualidades encontradas en la harina de hojas deshidratadas de M. oleifera, se sugiere que esta harina podría utilizarse como potencial fitonutriente de alta calidad y suplemento en alimentación de moluscos. Palabras clave: Moringa oleifera; fitonutriente; suplemento vegetal; calidad nutricional; perfil lipídic

Spat nursery of the American oyster Crassostrea virginica with application of probiotic actinomycetes and homeopathic medicines

Se evaluó durante 30 días el efecto de actinobacterias probióticas y medicamentos homeopáticos, así como su combinación, sobre la condición fisiológica de juveniles tempranos de ostra Americana Crassostrea virginica durante su preengorda en laboratorio ostrícola comercial. En el diseño experimental se incluyeron cinco tratamientos: [T1 (Streptomyces sp. RL8), T2 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C), T3 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C), T4 (ViP 7C+ViA 7C+RL8), T5 (PhA 7C+SiT 7C+RL8)] y dos controles: [T6 (Etanol) y T7 (Agua Destilada)], con tres réplicas cada uno. Como variables fisiológicas de respuesta se evaluó el Índice de Glándula Digestiva (IGD) y el Índice Muscular (IM). Al concluir el bioensayo (T30) se observó un valor mayor promedio del IGD en los juveniles que recibieron los tratamientos T3, T4 y T5, así como diferencias con relación al IM, con valores máximos en los que recibieron T3, T5, y T6. Estos resultados demuestran que el uso de actinomicetos probióticos y de medicamentos homeopáticos tienen aplicabilidad productiva para mejorar la condición fisiológica y desempeño de C. virginica, con potencial efecto positivo en su rendimiento biológico y económico durante la preengorda de semillas en laboratorio y su cultivo en mar.The effect of probiotic actinobacteria and homeopathic medicines, as well as their combination, on the physiological condition of early juveniles of American oyster Crassostrea virginica during their nursing in a commercial oyster laboratory was evaluated for 30 days. Five treatments were included in the experimental design: [T1 (Streptomyces sp. RL8), T2 (ViP 7C + VIA 7C), T3 (PhA 7C + SIT 7C), T4 (ViP 7C + VIA 7C + RL8), T5 (PhA 7C + SIT 7C + RL8)] and two controls: [T6 (Ethanol) and T7 (Distilled Water)], with three replicates each. As physiological response variables, the Digestive Gland Index (IGD) and the Muscular Index (MI) were evaluated. At the end of the bioassay (T30), a higher average value of the IGD was observed in juveniles that received the treatments T3, T4 and T5, as well as differences in relation to the MI, with maximum values in juveniles that received T3, T5, and T6. These results demonstrate that the use of probiotic actinomycetes and homeopathic medicines has productive applicability to improve the physiological condition and performance in C. virginica, with a positive potential effect on their biological and economic performance during hatchery-nursery stage and sea farming. &nbsp

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

Scientific guidelines for preclinical research on potentised preparations manufactured according to current pharmacopoeias-the PrePoP guidelines.

OBJECTIVE Pharmacopoeias regulate the manufacture of potentised pharmaceutical preparations used in different branches of complementary and integrative medicine. The physicochemical properties and biological activity of these preparations are often investigated in preclinical research, yet no guidelines for experimental research currently exist in this area. The present PrePoP guidelines aim to provide recommendations to promote high-quality, statistically sound, and reproducible preclinical research on potentised preparations. METHODS Input was gathered from researchers nominated by the relevant scientific societies using a simplified Delphi consensus approach covering the most relevant aspects of basic research methodology in the field including appropriate controls, sample preparation and handling, and statistics. After three rounds of feedback, a consensus was finally reached on the most important aspects and considerations for conducting high-quality research on potentised preparations. RESULTS We present a series of recommendations on a range of topics including experimental controls, system stability, blinding and randomisation, environmental influences, and procedures for the preparation of potentised samples and controls, and we address some specific challenges of this research field. CONCLUSION This expert consensus process resulted in a robust set of methodological guidelines for research on potentised preparations and provides a valuable framework that will inform and improve the quality of subsequent research in this emerging field. PLEASE CITE THIS ARTICLE AS Tournier AL, Bonamin LV, Buchheim-Schmidt S, Cartwright S, Dombrowsky C, Doesburg P, Holandino C, Kokornaczyk MO, van de Kraats EB, López-Carvallo JA, Nandy P, Mazón-Suástegui JM, Mirzajani F, Poitevin B, Scherr C, Thieves K, Würtenberger S, Baumgartner S. Scientific guidelines for preclinical research on potentised preparations manufactured according to current pharmacopoeias-the PrePoP guidelines. J Integr Med. 2024; Epub ahead of print

Agricultural Homoeopathy: A New Insight into Organics

At present, agricultural homoeopathy is being increasingly implemented worldwide to mitigate the negative effects caused by the indiscriminate use of chemical products in conventional agricultural practices. It is a viable alternative to improve organic agriculture, since homoeopathic medicines are innocuous substances with a capability to activate measurable response mechanisms when used in plants, animals and humans. Experimental research results allow us to conclude in this chapter that agricultural homoeopathy is able to stimulate favourable biological and even genetic responses in plants (basil Ocimum basilicum L., bean Phaseolus vulgaris L., cucumber Cucumis sativus L., tomato Solanum lycopersicum L.), which shows a novelty insight for organic agriculture

Aquacultural Homoeopathy: A Focus on Marine Species

Homoeopathy is an alternative medical system proposed by Samuel Hahnemann in the eighteenth century. It uses highly diluted and agitated substances that derived from plants, minerals or animals, which have shown to be effective in human medicine, agronomy, veterinary, and as a novelty, in marine aquaculture. Aquacultural homoeopathy has developed rapidly in recent years, partially motivated by the misuse of powerful drugs (hormones, antibiotics, disinfectants) that when solving a problem generate undesirable side effects. In the last 10 years, scientific articles have been published on its application in freshwater fish native to Brazil, obtaining beneficial effects on growth, survival, hepatosomatic index, development of muscle fibres and lipid content in muscle. At Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste (CIBNOR, Mexico: www.cibnor.mx), we have studied the effects of homoeopathy to improve the culture of economically important marine species of molluscs, fish and shrimp. In this chapter, we show a selection of different research with preliminary or advanced results, related to the use of homoeopathy and its impact on zootechnic, biochemical, genomic and transcriptomic parameters in marine molluscs, fish and crustaceans. The results obtained suggest that homoeopathy is an eco-friendly alternative applicable in aquaculture industry to improve various productive and health aspects