Chemical composition and fatty acid contents in farmed freshwater prawns

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição química e os teores de ácidos graxos do camarão‑amazônico e do camarão‑da‑malásia. Após cultivo de quatro meses, com a mesma dieta para ambas as espécies, os principais ácidos graxos saturados foram o palmítico e o esteárico. O oleico foi o principal ácido graxo monoinsaturado, e o eicosapentaenoico e o docosahexaenoico foram os ácidos poli‑insaturados mais abundantes. O camarão‑amazônico apresenta níveis mais elevados de proteínas e de ácidos graxos poli‑insaturados do que os do camarão‑da‑malásia, o que mostra seu potencial para a aquicultura.The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid contents of Amazonian and giant river prawns. After four‑month farming, with the same diet for both species, palmitic and stearic acids were the main saturated fatty acids. Oleic acid was the main monounsatured fatty acid, and the eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were the most abundant polyunsaturated acids. Amazonian prawn has higher levels of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids than those of the giant river prawn, which shows its potential for aquaculture

Zooplankton community dynamics in response to water trophic state in integrated multitrophic aquaculture

Integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) is an alternative means to optimize feed usage in aquaculture which combines species of different trophic levels. The addition of substrate to IMTA has also been used to promote a lower release of phosphorus, thus minimizing eutrophication and impacts of effluents. In these aquaculture systems, the zooplankton community is important because it acts as a link in trophic chains. This study aimed to verify the dynamics and the structure of the zooplankton community in IMTA (tilapia-prawn), in response to trophic conditions in earthen ponds with different substrates. The object of the study was 12 earthen ponds organized in three treatments: no substrate (control), geotextile substrate, and bamboo substrate. Zooplankton samples were taken biweekly through a water bilge pump. Rotifers and microcrustaceans were identified and counted to determine changes in community diversity during the experiment. Eutrophication was determined through phosphorus and chlorophyll water concentrations. There were no differences in zooplankton communities among treatments, even though increases in levels of eutrophication of the system heavily influenced this community, by altering its diversity and abundance. Small organisms were the most representative ones under polyculture eutrophic conditions

Chemical composition and fatty acid contents in farmed freshwater prawns

The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid contents of Amazonian and giant river prawns. After four-month farming, with the same diet for both species, palmitic and stearic acids were the main saturated fatty acids. Oleic acid was the main monounsatured fatty acid, and the eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids were the most abundant polyunsaturated acids. Amazonian prawn has higher levels of protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids than those of the giant river prawn, which shows its potential for aquaculture

Marine biotechnology in Brazil : recent developments and its potential for innovation

Marine biotechnology is an emerging field in Brazil and includes the exploration of marine microbial products, aquaculture, omics, isolation of biologically active compounds, identification of biosynthetic gene clusters from symbiotic microorganisms, investigation of invertebrate diseases caused by potentially pathogenic marine microbes, and development of antifouling compounds. Furthermore, the field also encompasses description of new biological niches, current threats, preservation strategies as well as its biotechnological potential. Finally, it is important to depict some of the major approaches and tools being employed to such end. To address the challenges of marine biotechnology, the Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication, has established the National Research Network in Marine Biotechnology (BiotecMar) (www.biotecmar.sage.coppe.ufrj.br). Its main objective is to harness marine biodiversity and develop the marine bioeconomy through innovative research

Efeito da composição iônica da água do mar artificial no desenvolvimento de larvas de Macrobrachium rosenbergii - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v20i0.4484

The importance of the ions Ca2+, K+, HCO3-, Br-, Sr2+, Mn2+, HPO42-, Li+, MoO42-, S2O32-, Al3+, Rb+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ in water on the development of Macrobrachium rosenbergii at the larval stage II was evaluated. A starvation test was applied. It consisted in keeping larvae of M. rosenbergii in beakers containing 15ml of brackish water (12‰) with different ionic compositions. In order to estimate average life time, larvae which survived the treatment were counted every eight hours. Elements Al3+, Rb+, Zn2+, Co2+,Cu2+, Sr2+, Mn2+, HPO42-, Li+, MoO4M2- and S2O32 were not effective on the larvae life time, whereas K and Ca2+ were the most important ions for larvae development, followed by Br- and HCO3-, respectively. These ions are indispensable in water and larvae must have an efficient mechanism to absorb them.Avaliou-se a importância da presença na água dos íons Ca2+, K+, HCO3-, Br-, Sr2+, Mn2+, HPO42-, Li+, MoO42-, S2O32-, Al3+, Rb+, Zn2+, Co2+ e Cu2+ para o desenvolvimento do Macrobrachium rosenbergii no estágio larval II. Aplicou-se um teste de inanição, que consistiu na estocagem das larvas em béqueres contendo 15ml de água salobra (12‰), de diferentes composições iônicas. A cada 8 horas contou-se o número de larvas vivas e calculou-se o tempo médio de vida em todos os tratamentos. Os elementos Al3+, Rb+, Zn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Sr2+, Mn2+, HPO42-, Li+, MoO42- e S2O32- não influenciaram o tempo de vida das larvas. O K+ e o Ca2+ foram os íons mais importantes para o desenvolvimento das larvas, seguidos pelo Br- e pelo HCO3-, respectivamente, a presença desses íons no meio é indispensável e as larvas devem apresentar mecanismos eficientes de absorção desses elementos

Concentrações de amônia, nitrito e nitrato em larvicultura do camarão Macrobrachium rosenbergii (De Man), realizada em sistema fechado com água salobra natural e artificial

Variations of ammonia, nitrite and nitrate in a recirculating M. rosenbergii (Crustacea, Decapoda) hatchery, reusing natural and artificial brackish water, in two successive cultures, were studied. Ammonia and nitrite values oscillated between 1.1 to 74.0 µg/l and 1.1 to 34.6 µg/l, respectively, and did not differ among the tested water types. Nitrate concentrations (N) increased similarly with time (T), according to a linear model (N = 0,241T – 0,734) with both natural and artificial water. Data suggested that the use and reuse of the artificial water did not affect the nitrification process. Therefore, it can be used in recirculating systems for M. rosenbergii hatchery.Avaliou-se o efeito da água salobra natural e artificial e da sua utilização em dois cultivos consecutivos sobre as concentrações de amônia, nitrito e nitrato, em sistema fechado de larvicultura de M. rosenbergii (Crustacea, Decapoda). A amônia oscilou entre 1,1 e 74,0 µg/l e o nitrito entre e 1,1 e 34,6 µg/l; estes não diferiram entre os tipos de água analisados. A concentração de nitrato (N) aumentou ao longo do tempo (T) de forma similar na água natural e artificial, seguindo um modelo linear (N = 0,241T – 0,734). Os resultados indicaram que a água salobra artificial não alterou o processo de nitrificação, tampouco o comportamento das principais variáveis ambientais. A reutilização da água também não produziu nenhum efeito negativo sobre essas variáveis. A fórmula de água do mar artificial aqui apresentada pode ser, portanto usada em sistemas de recirculação para a produção de pós-larvas de M. rosenbergii em até dois cultivos consecutivos

Larval development of the giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii at different ammonia concentrations and pH values

The effect of ammonia and pH levels on giant river prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii larvae were evaluated to provide science-based information on safe levels of ammonia and pH for larviculture. Survival rate, developmental stage, and larval weight gain were determined for larvae kept in water with total ammonia (NH4-N) concentrations of 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg\L and pH 7, 8, and 9. The trials were conducted in two phases: phase 1, larvae from stages I through VIII and phase 2, larvae from stage VIII until metamorphose. Oxygen consumption was determined for larvae in stages I and VIII at total ammonia concentrations of 0, 4, and 8 mg/L and pH 8. Survival rate up to stage VIII varied from 86 to 98% and did not differ for total ammonia concentrations in pH 7 and 8 and for 0 mg/L NH4-N in pH 9. Survival rate was significantly lower (0-20%) for total ammonia concentrations from 1 to 8 mg/L (0.43-3.41 mg/L of unionized ammonia) in pH 9. Larval stage indexes (7.9-8.0 range) and weight gain (1.572-2.931 mg range) of larvae at the end of phase 1 of the experiment did not differ for the different ammonia concentration solutions, but were significantly lower in pH 9. In phase 2, no parameter differed among treatments for pH 7 and 8; however there was total mortality at pH 9 until 96h. Respiration rates diminished when larvae were exposed to total ammonia concentrations of 4 and 8 mg/L (0.28 and 0.55 mg/L of unionized ammonia), but development remained unaltered. Therefore, M. rosenbergii larvae tolerate high levels of total ammonia, while toxicity depends primarily on unionized ammonia concentrations. In addition, alkaline pH (9) acted directly on the larvae, curbing development and causing severe mortality. Larval tolerance to high ammonia and pH levels decreases for the last zoeal stages. © Copyright by the World Aquaculture Society 2005

Ingestion rates of Artemia nauplii for different larval stages of Macrobrachium rosenbergii

The functional response between ingestion rate and food concentration was determined for each larval stage of Macrobrachium rosenbergii. Artemia franciscana nauplii were supplied at 2,4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 per milliliter. The nauplii were counted by sight using a Pasteur pipette and transferred to Petri dishes containing 40 ml of brackish water (12 parts per thousand) lying on the top of black plastic. One larva at each stage was individually placed into each Petri dish containing different food density. After 24 h, each larva was removed from the Petri dish and the leftover nauplii were counted. The amount consumed was determined by the difference between the initial and final number of nauplii. Ingestion rate (I) increased as food density (P) increased and was defined by the model I=I-m(1-e(-kP)). The results suggest four levels of ingestion during larval development. The first level includes stages II, III and IV, with average maximum consumption of about 40 nauplii/day; the second level includes stages V and VI, with consumption of approximately 55 nauplii/day; the third level includes stages VII and VIII, with consumption of 80-100 nauplii/day. The fourth level includes stages IX, X and XI, in which the high values for maximum ingestion (Im) exceed the load capacity of the medium. The low values for constant k (that may correspond to the adaptability of the food to prey characteristics, such as, size, mobility, etc.) obtained for stages IX, X and XI indicated that Artemia is not an adequate prey and there is necessity of a supplementary diet. The best relationship between predator and prey seemed to occur during stage IV Results obtained in the present work may subsidize future researches and serve as a guideline for practical considerations of feeding rates. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved

Manejo alimentar de pós-larvas do camarão-da-amazônia, Macrobrachium amazonicum, em berçário I - DOI: 10.4025/actascianimsci.v27i1.1242

This study investigated practical feeding strategies for survival, growth and food conversion rate in Macrobrachium amazonicum post-larvae. The prawns were provided with food 1, 2, 4 and 8 times a day. The food amounts were 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320% of the prawns´ total weight, resulted from the amounts of 10, 20 and 40% in daily frequency. The weight gain was evaluated during the 20 days while the post-larvae were kept in net cages. Survival was always over 90%. Growth was affected only by the daily frequencies of feeding. Food offered 4 times a day increased body weight (only at the rate 40% food amount). Food conversion was affected by daily frequency of feeding and it was higher when the largest amount of food was offered. Feed competition and food stability in the water may be the reason for it. Thus, the best feeding regime should be 40% of biomass, 4 times a dayAvaliou-se efeitos de quantidades e freqüências diárias de alimentação na sobrevivência, crescimento e conversão alimentar de pós-larvas de Macrobrachium amazonicum. A ração foi oferecida 1, 2, 4 e 8x/dia. As proporções alimentares foram: 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 e 320% da biomassa, proporcionadas pelas quantidades de 10, 20 e 40% nas freqüências diárias. As pós-larvas foram mantidas em tanques-rede e o peso avaliado por 20 dias. A sobrevivência sempre foi acima de 90%. Apenas a freqüência diária de alimentação afetou o crescimento. O oferecimento de alimento 4x/dia aumentou o ganho de peso (apenas na proporção de 40% da biomassa). A conversão alimentar foi afetada apenas pela freqüência diária de alimentação, sendo maior nas maiores quantidades de alimento. Esses efeitos parecem decorrer da competição alimentar e da estabilidade do alimento na água. Conclui-se que a melhor oferta de alimento seja a proporção de 40% da biomassa, dividida em 4x/di