Proximate and Nutritional Content of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Flesh Cultured in a Tropical Highland Area

Abstract The present study was performed to assess the proximate and nutrient content of rainbow trout flesh, cultured in the Doi Inthanon Fisheries Research Unit, Chiang Mai Inland Fisheries Research and Development Center, Thailand. 240 fish were randomly distributed across 12 cages with 20 fish cage-1. Sixteen individual fish from each cage were randomly collected at different ages of 10, 12 and 24 months. Body composition, pH, water-holding capacity, shear force, collagen content analysis, sensory, lipid oxidation, and fatty acids profile were evaluated. The results indicated that body composition and carcass length were significantly higher in fish aged 24 months, except for carcass and viscero-somatic index percentages (P ≤ 0.05). Fish at 24 months showed significantly higher pH, moisture, fat, shear force, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and total collagen content values than fish at 10 and 12 months (P ≤ 0.05). However, protein percentage, sensory measurement and water-holding capacity were significantly higher in younger fish at 10 and 12 months. The average lipid content and n-6/n-3 ratios were significantly greater in fish at 12 months and in ventral fillets (P ≤ 0.05). However, polyunsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acid ratio was higher in fish at 24 months and in dorsal fillets. In conclusion, rainbow trout cultured in sub-tropical, montane conditions can be valuable sources of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acids, and docosahexaenoic acids.

Potential Use of Polysaccharides from the Brown Alga Undaria pinnatifida as Anticoagulants

Undaria pinnatifida (U. pinnatifida) is a highly invasive species and has caused concern all over the world because it has invaded coastal environments, has the potential to displace native species, significantly alters habitat for associated fauna, and disturbs navigation. Any attempt to eradicate it would be futile, owing to the elusive, microscopic gametophyte, and because the alga thrives in sites rich in anthropic activities. Venice Lagoon is the largest Mediterranean transitional environment and the spot of the highest introduction of non-indigenous species, including U. pinnatifida, which is removed as a waste. We demonstrated that polysaccharide extracts from U. pinnatifida have an anticoagulant effect on human blood in vitro and are not cytotoxic. The results obtained by PT (normal values 70-120%) and APTT (normal values 28-40s) assays were significantly prolonged by the polysaccharide extracts of U. pinnatifida, therefore algal extracts are ideal candidates as antithrombotic agents.

Copper Induced Lysosomal Membrane Destabilisation in Haemolymph Cells of Mediterranean Green Crab (Carcinus aestuarii, Nardo, 1847) from the Narta Lagoon (Albania)

ABSTRACTDestabilisation of blood cell lysosomes in Mediterranean green crabCarcinus aestuarii was investigated using Neutral Red Retention Assay (NRRA). Crabs collected in Narta Lagoon, Vlora (Albania) during May 2014 were exposed in the laboratory to sub-lethal, environmentally realistic concentrations of copper. Neutral Red Retention Time (NRRT) and glucose concentration in haemolymph of animals were measured. The mean NRRT showed a significant reduction for the animals of the treatment group compared to the control one (from 118.6 ± 28.4 to 36.4 ± 10.48 min, p<0.05), indicating damage of lysosomal membrane. Haemolymph glucose concentration was significantly higher in the treatment group (from 37.8 ± 2.7 to 137.8.4 ± 16.2 mg/dL, p<0.05) than in control group, demonstrating the presence of stress on the animals. These results showed thatC. aestuarii could be used as a successful and reliable bioindicator for evaluating the exposure to contaminants in laboratory conditions. NRRA provides a successful tool for rapid assessment of heavy metal pollution effects on marine biota.