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

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

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

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

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

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