Comparing feed intake, utilization of protein and energy for growth and body composition in S. solea fed natural and commercial diets

The present work was carried out to study the effect of polychaete Nereis virens on feed intake, utilization of protein and energy for growth and body composition in sole (S. solea). It is hypothesized that intake, efficiencies of protein utilization and growth rates obtained for sole fed ragworm are comparable to those previously reported for S. solea. The mussel M. edulis was used as a reference diet to allow comparisons of present results with those obtained previously, which until today serve as reference for optimum growth in sole. Intake, efficiencies of utilization for protein and energy for growth and growth rates obtained for sole fed ragworm are expected to be higher compared to commercial feed. A commercial feed, commonly used for turbot but also in sole culture served as a second reference diet to discuss differences between natural and commercial feeds

Growth performance, feed utilisation and body composition of advanced nursing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fed diets containing Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal

A 32-day experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects on the performance, feed utilisation efficiency and body composition of a strategic inclusion of Black Soldier Fly larvae meal (MM) in a commercially formulated diet for advance nursing Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Four isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets were commercially formulated and manufactured as a control and 3 test diets with strategic inclusions of MM inclusions (0, 30, 50 and 80 g kg-1) and poultry byproduct meal substituting gradually three conventional expensive feedstuffs: fish meal, fish oil and soybean meal. Fish (5.7±0.5 g fish-1) were nursed in a cage-in-lake system (Volta Lake, Ghana), under conditions similar to commercial farming practices. Control and experimental diets were fed to triplicate cages by hand to visual satiety, 6 times day-1. Growth performance (final weight; weight gain and SGR); feed utilisation efficiency indices (FCR and PER) and feed intake were not significantly different (P≥0.05) between treatments. Survival was significantly different (P<0.05) but more likely explained by the stress related to frequent handling on the smaller fish. Fish whole body composition (dry matter, crude protein, lipid, ash and fibre) was unaffected by the treatment (P≥0.05), except for the fatty acid compositions which mirrored that of the diets

Partial and total replacement of fishmeal by a blend of animal and plant proteins in diets for Seriola dumerili: Effects on performance and nutrient efficiency

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Monge-Ortiz, Raquel, Tomas-Vidal, A., Gallardo-Álvarez, F.J., Estruch-Cucarella, Guillem, Godoy-Olmos, Sergio, Jover Cerda, Miguel, Martínez-Llorens, Silvia. (2018). Partial and total replacement of fishmeal by a blend of animal and plant proteins in diets for Seriola dumerili: Effects on performance and nutrient efficiency.Aquaculture Nutrition, 24, 4, 1163-1174, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12655. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving[EN] A 154-day trial was performed to assess the use of an alternative protein blend (corn gluten, krill and meat meal) as a substitute for fishmeal in diets for juvenile yellowtail, using four isolipidic (140 g/kg) and isoenergetic diets (24 MJ/kg) with the same digestible protein content (50%). The control diet was FM100, without replacement, and in FM66, FM33 and FM0, fishmeal was replaced at 33 g/kg, 66 g/kg and 100 g/kg, respectively. At the end of the experiment, no differences in growth parameters were observed. Fish fed the FM0 diet exhibited the lowest survival (23%). This high mortality may be due to different factors, such as a dietary amino acid imbalance or some antinutrient factors contained in the alternative ingredients. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestible protein intake and protein efficiency ratio were similar in all diets. However, digestible energy intake and protein efficiency retention were lowest in fish fed the FM0 diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients for protein, energy and amino acids diminished as a substitution for fishmeal increased. Significant differences were observed in the diet whole-fish body profile amino acid retention (AAR) ratio for the seven essential amino acids. In summary, total fishmeal replacement by the blend assayed was not feasible for yellowtail. The FM66 diet resulted in good growth, high survival and good nutrient efficiency"Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion" of the Spanish government, Grant/Award Number: AGL2011-30547-C03-02Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion" of the Spanish government, Grant/Award Number: AGL2011-30547-C03-02Monge-Ortiz, R.; Tomas-Vidal, A.; Gallardo-Álvarez, F.; Estruch-Cucarella, G.; Godoy-Olmos, S.; Jover Cerdá, M.; Martínez-Llorens, S. (2018). Partial and total replacement of fishmeal by a blend of animal and plant proteins in diets for Seriola dumerili: Effects on performance and nutrient efficiency. Aquaculture Nutrition. 24(4):1163-1174. https://doi.org/10.1111/anu.12655S1163117424

A Secure Semi-Field System for the Study of Aedes aegypti

Novel vector control strategies require validation in the field before they can be widely accepted. Semi-field system (SFS) containment facilities are an intermediate step between laboratory and field trials that offer a safe, controlled environment that replicates field conditions. We developed a SFS laboratory and cage complex that simulates an urban house and yard, which is the primary habitat for Aedes aegypti, the mosquito vector of dengue in Cairns Australia. The SFS consists of a Quarantine Insectary Level-2 (QIC-2) laboratory, containing 3 constant temperature rooms, that is connected to two QIS-2 cages for housing released mosquitoes. Each cage contains the understory of a “Queenslander” timber house and associated yard. An automated air conditioning system keeps temperature and humidity to within 1°C and 5% RH of ambient conditions, respectively. Survival of released A. aegypti was high, especially for females. We are currently using the SFS to investigate the invasion of strains of Wolbachia within populations of A. aegypti

Efficacy of insect larval meal to replace fish meal in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer reared in freshwater

The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary protein from black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, larval meal (BSFL) to replace fish meal (FM) protein in juvenile barramundi, Lates calcarifer. Larvae of black soldier fly were fed with the underutilised crop, sesbania, Sesbania grandiflora. Five isonitrogenous (44% crude protein) and isocaloric (16.0 kJ available energy/g) experimental diets were formulated to replace FM using processed BSFL meal at 0 (control), 25% (BSFL25), 50% (BSFL50), 75% (BSFL75) and 100% (BSFL100). Data for proximate and amino acid analysis suggested BSFL meal as an inferior protein ingredient than FM, but parallel to soybean meal. At the end of 8 weeks of fish feeding trial, there were no significant differences in the average weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate among the group of fish-fed control, BSFL25 and BSFL50 diets (P < 0.05). Although numerical differences were recorded in the fish whole-body proximate composition, crude protein and moisture content were not much affected by the different dietary treatments. Essential amino acids including arginine, histidine, lysine and methionine were found to be higher in the whole body of fish-fed BSFL100 diet. Broken line regression analysis of average WG showed an optimum FM replacement level of 28.4% with BSFL meal. Therefore, the present experiment clearly demonstrates that the maximal dietary inclusion level of BSFL meal as FM protein replacer for the optimum growth of juvenile barramundi reared in freshwater could be greater than 28.4% but less than 50%, without any adverse effects on the fish whole-body proximate and amino acid composition