ABSTRACT:
The aim of this study was to determine the level of dietary crude protein (CP) (480, 400, 440, 520 and 560g kg-1) in rations for juvenile II fat snook (Centropomus parallelus) that best promotes protein absorption and lower excretion of nitrogenous products. Three experiments were conducted: the first assessed the protein retention rate; the second evaluated ammonia excretion; and the third determined the best digestibility coefficient. The estimated protein retention rate showed a positive quadratic response to dietary CP with maximum retention at the 510.20g kg-1 protein level, and increasing levels of protein resulted in a greater total ammonia excretion rate in water. The mean apparent protein digestibility coefficient values increased with increasing levels of dietary protein up to 520g kg-1, where they stabilized. As determined by regression, the level of dietary CP that promotes the best digestibility was 495.62g kg-1.
Key words: crude digestible protein; fish culture; nitrogen excretion; diet
RESUMO:
O objetivo da pesquisa foi determinar o nível de proteína bruta na dieta (400, 440, 480, 520 e 560g kg-1), nas rações de juvenis II de robalo-peva (Centropomus parallelus), que promove melhor absorção de proteína e menor excreção de produtos nitrogenados. Foram realizados três experimentos. O primeiro avaliou a taxa de retenção de proteína, o segundo a excreção de amônia, e o terceiro determinou o melhor coeficiente de digestibilidade. Os dados foram analisados por meio de regressão exponencial. A taxa de retenção proteica, calculada pela equação, apresentou efeito quadrático positivo e o máximo de retenção com 510,20g kg-1 de proteína na dieta. O aumento dos níveis de proteína resultou em maiores taxas de excreção de amônia total na água. Os valores médios dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente da proteína foram aumentando com o aumento da proteína dietética até o nível de 520g kg-1 onde se estabilizou. O nível de proteína bruta na dieta, determinado pela equação de regressão, que promove a melhor digestibilidade é de 495,62g kg-1.
Palavras-chave: proteína bruta digestível; piscicultura; excreção nitrogenada; dieta
INTRODUCTION:
Centropomus parallelus (fat snook) is a marine fish that is highly valued for its meat, which has excellent organoleptic qualities and is low in fat and calories, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and white in color. However, despite its high value in domestic and foreign markets, the species has been threatened by predatory fishing and anthropogenic impacts (DUTKA-GIANELLI, 2010). For commercial breeding to become a reality, several types of scientific information are needed, including data on animal nutrition.
In animal nutrition, evaluation of feed digestibility coefficient is important to maximize nutrient utilization, reduce production costs and minimize water pollution by reducing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter that is eliminated (CANESIN et al. 2012). Digestibility, i.e., the ability of an animal to digest and absorb the nutrients contained in the diet, is one of the criteria used to quantify the diets nutrient utilization efficiency (BERCHIELLI et al., 2011; POND et al., 2005).
Protein is one of the most important nutrients in fish diets due to its role in growth, maintenance and reproduction as well as being an important source of energy (MARTÍNEZ-PALÁCIOS et al., 2007), so it should be included at adequate levels in the diet to ensure good protein efficiency (CARVALHO et al., 2010). When included in excess, protein results in increased ammonia excretion (SÁ et al., 2008), leading to environmental damage. The protein level in carnivorous fish diets fish should be approximately 40 to 50% (DENG et al., 2006), and in the case of fat snook, SOUZA et al. (2011) suggested levels greater than 50%.
Determining the optimum dietary protein for fish enables the formulation of diets that maximize protein retention and reduce nitrogen excretion, thus reducing the costs and environmental impacts of aquaculture (CYRINO et al., 2010, WEBB et al., 2010, AHMED & KHAN, 2004). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the level of protein in juvenile II fat nook rations that would lead to a better apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC), greater protein retention and lower ammonia excretion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Diets with different protein levels (400, 440, 480, 520 and 560g kg-1) were tested in three experiments with completely randomized designs consisting of five treatments and four replicates (20 experimental units).
Rations were produced in a commercial feed mill, and the same ingredients were used in each (Table 1). Rations were extruded, isocaloric and isolipidic and had the same premix formulation and pellet diameter (2.5mm). Titanium dioxide was used as the external indicator and was added as 1% of the diets (TITGEMEYER et al., 2001).
Experiment 1: Protein Retention Rate
A total of 200 juvenile fat nook (27.02±0.27g) were randomly distributed into 20 500-L polyethylene tanks (density of 0.7g L-1) that were maintained with filtered and sterilized sea water, constant aeration with compressors and a temperature of 28ºC that was controlled by a 400W thermostat; 50% of the tank water volume was renewed daily. The mean water quality parameter values were as follows: temperature (27.2±1.2ºC), dissolved oxygen (8.4±0.33mg L-1), salinity (32.3±1.1 ppt), pH (7.53±0.5) and total ammonia (0.24±0.04mg L-1). Each day for 60 days, fish were fed at 2% of their total biomass, which was divided into two meals (8am and 4pm).
At the beginning and end of the experiment, 100% of the fish were fasted for 24h and then anesthetized with benzocaine (50mg L-1) for biometric analysis. Body tissues of a sample of four animals per replicate were analyzed, and these fish were euthanized by benzocaine overdose (200mg L-1) and frozen for subsequent protein quantification according to the method described by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2000). The apparent protein retention rate (APRR) was calculated using the formula: APRR (%) = [(Wf x BPf) - (Wi x BPi) / TPC] x 100, where Wf = final weight; BPf = final body protein; Wi = initial weight; BPi = initial body protein; TPC = total protein consumption.
Experiment 2: Ammonia Excretion
Following the first experiment, nine juvenile fat snook (38.28±1.07g) remained in each of the 20 experimental tanks for one week for adaptation, and the water volume was adjusted so that each tank maintained a density of 2g L-1. As above, the seawater for tanks was filtered and sterilized; 50% of its volume was changed daily; and aeration was performed using compressors.
After the adaptation period, the fish were anesthetized with benzocaine (50mg L-1), weighed on a precision scale (0.01g), and then returned to their tank, which had been washed and filled with clean water. Fish were then fasted for 48h to empty their digestive tracts. After the fasting period, 100% of the water was replaced in all of the tanks, and the animals received rations at the proportion of 1% of the biomass of their respective treatment. The excretion test lasted 48h, and water was collected from each tank at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The mean values of the physical water variables for the 20 tanks during the two days of the experiment were as follows: salinity (32.91±0.05ppt), temperature (26.89±0.11ºC), dissolved oxygen (5.77±0.06mg L-1) and pH (7.85±0.05). Three additional tanks were used as a positive control to evaluate the ammonia produced by bacteria; in these tanks, water was added and aeration was performed similar to the experimental tanks. Values obtained in the control tanks were subtracted from the final excretion calculation.
Analysis of the ammonia in water was performed using the indophenol method according to APHA (2005). Ammonia excretion was calculated according to ALTINOK & GRIZZLE (2004) based on the following formula: excretion rate = {[(NHF - NHI / g total] / L}, where NHF corresponds to final ammonia concentration, and NHI corresponds to the initial ammonia concentration, which was divided by the biomass and the amount of water in each tank. Amount of ammonia excreted relative to the amount of protein ingested was also calculated and the result was expressed as a percentage.
Experiment 3: Apparent Protein Digestibility
The apparent digestibility test was performed with 60 fish that were distributed into 20 fiberglass incubators with conical bottoms connected to a collector tube with a quick-closing PVC valve, which was used to collect feces by decanting. Incubators had an 80-L capacity, but only 70L was used. Constant mechanical aeration was maintained through porous stones placed at a depth of 10cm to prevent airflow from suspending the feces and thus promoting leaching. Three fish were randomly distributed into each incubator (density 1.4g L-1) for one month for adaptation to the facilities, environment and management protocols (feeding, cleaning and incubator water exchange). Fish were fed 2% of their biomass, i.e., 1% in the morning and 1% in the afternoon.
Fecal collection period lasted two months, during which the fish were fed 1% of their biomass per day divided into two feedings (8am and 4pm) to avoid leftover rations in the incubators. One hour after feeding, the incubator walls were brushed, and 90% of the water was renewed to remove unconsumed food and fecal waste. Feces were collected twice a day (7am and 3pm), transferred to a labeled jar and stored at -10ºC until the end of the experiment.
During the experimental period, the water quality parameters presented mean temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen values of 26.30±0.32°C, 32.14±0.69ppt, 7.8±0.6 and 5.77±0.06mg L-1, respectively.
Crude protein (CP) analysis was performed using the Kjeldahl method, and the concentration of titanium in the feces and diets was determined according to the method described by MYERS et al. (2004). The ADC was calculated according to the equation of CHO et al. (1982): ADC = 1 - (F / D x Di / Fi), where D = % of the nutrient in the diet; F = % of the nutrient in the feces; Di = indicator concentration in the diet; and Fi = indicator concentration in the feces.
Statistical analysis
Results of the analyzed parameters were subjected to exponential regression analysis using SigmaStat 12.5.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
The APRR, calculated using a quadratic regression, showed a positive effect (P<0.01, Figure 1); with the increase in dietary protein, the APRR increased up to the level of 480g kg-1. The highest protein retention calculated by the quadratic regression was observed with a diet with 510.20g kg-1 of protein, and the increase in the APRR between 400 and 480g kg-1 suggested ongoing tissue deposition. According to CARVALHO et al. (2010), it is important to include adequate levels of protein in the diet to promote good zootechnical indexes in fish and to minimize costs because, according to SOUZA et al. (2011), protein is the most expensive nutrient in diet formulations for aquatic organisms.
Protein retention rate of juvenile fat snook (mean ± standard deviation) fed diets containing different concentrations of crude protein (CP).
Increase in dietary protein levels positively and quadratically increased the rates of total ammonia excretion in water (P<0.01; Figure 2A), and the excretion of total ammonia at the initial protein concentrations was smaller but increased with the last two levels. This was probably due to an excess of protein because, according to MELO et al. (2006), when protein is present in excess, its amino acids are transaminated and/or deaminated, and resulting carbon skeleton is diverted to energetic metabolic routes, resulting in increased nitrogen excretion (SÁ et al., 2008). Increase in dietary protein (400 to 560g kg-1) promoted a 62% increase in total ammonia excretion in water, demonstrating a direct relationship between protein intake and ammonia excretion in fish. Figure 2B showed that with the 400, 440, 480, 520 and 560g kg-1 rations, the amount of ammonia excreted (52.54±4.46, 52.69±4.83, 53.16±6.31, 56.12±5.61 and 58.25±8.74%, respectively) by fat snook increased with mean protein intake (1.15±0.06g, 1.34±0.05g, 1.46±0.11g, 1.62±0.02g and 1.69±0.11g, respectively). This result is consistent with those obtained by ABDEL-TAWWAB et al. (2006) with Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), PERES & OLIVA-TELES (2007) with European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and MELO et al. (2006) with jundiá (Rhamdia quelen).
Total ammonia excretion rates (A) and ammonia excreted per unit of protein intake (B) of juvenile fat snook (mean ± standard deviation) fed with diets containing different concentrations of crude protein (CP).
The quadratic regression equation showed that protein concentration in the diet had a positive effect on the apparent protein digestibility (P<0.01). The ADC was better in the rations with 520 and 560g kg-1 of protein (Figure 3), and according to the quadratic equation, the level of 495.62g kg-1 of protein in the diet provides the best ADC. Determining digestibility coefficients is an important tool in the development of diets to promote good fish nutrition and consequently obtain better responses in terms of weight gain, feed conversion and APRR as well as higher financial returns and lower environmental impacts (ONO et al., 2010; SAKOMURA & ROSTAGNO, 2007). The ADC of CP varied non-linearly from 42.66 to 54.12 when protein concentration in the diet increased from 400 to 560g kg-1, confirming the report by FURUYA et al. (2001) that increased diet digestibility is directly related to better nutrient utilization. However, according to GONÇALVES et al. (2009), one should be aware of the protein level in the diet because high levels may result in the excess being converted into energy or excreted. To avoid this possible waste, it is recommended a dietary protein concentration of 495.62g kg-1, as this was the level determined by the regression equation that promoted the best digestibility.
Apparent digestibility coefficients of juvenile fat snook (mean ± standard deviation) fed diets containing different concentrations of crude protein (CP).
According to THOMAN et al. (1999), the APRR has a positive relationship with diet digestibility and protein content, among other factors, and this relationship was also observed in fat snook. The protein level that promoted higher protein retention and higher digestibility was very similar between the two studies (difference of 15g kg-1) and coincided with a proportional increase in ammonia excretion. These results indicated that an animal increases ammonia excretion at the same time that it decreases protein absorption. Rations with a protein level higher than 500g kg-1 may promote greater growth and weight gain in fat snook, as observed by CARVALHO (2015), but the results obtained in the present study did not support such a high ration. This assertion is related to inefficient retention with increasing protein levels and thus had a greater potential for negative environmental impacts from the discharge of a higher concentration of ammonia Based on this study, the highest protein digestibility and absorption and the lowest relative ammonia excretion in juvenile fat snook occurred with protein concentrations between 496 and 510g kg-1.
BIOETHICS AND BIOSSECURITY COMMITTEE APPROVAL
The study was approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals in Research of the Universidade de Vila Velha (UVV), Brazil, under permit number 307/2014.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa e Inovação do Espírito Santo (FAPES) for financial support, the Nutriave Company for the preparation of the experimental rations and Dr. Francisco Monteiro (ESALQ) for performing the titanium dioxide analyses
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Publication Dates
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Publication in this collection
2017
History
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Received
10 Apr 2016 -
Accepted
25 Mar 2017 -
Reviewed
24 May 2017