Based on a facile vapor-phase transport method without any catalyst and template, one-dimensional single-crystalline bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) micro/nanoribbons were fabricated on silicon substrates in large quantities and morphology-controlled fabrication of Bi2O3 was achieved from a single precursor. The widths of Bi2O3 ribbons varied from 0.2 to 20 microm depending on the deposition temperatures. The thickness was in the range of 0.1-2 microm and the length reached several hundred micrometers and even millimeter range. The detailed composition and structural analysis confirmed the single-crystalline nature of alpha-Bi2O3 micro/nanoribbons with monoclinic structure. The photoluminescence spectrum of a single Bi2O3 ribbon showed a broadband emission from 450 to 750 nm in the visible region, consisting two peaks located at 589 and 697 nm which were primarily originated from the impurity ions and crystal defects. A self-catalyzed vapor-solid model was proposed to account for the growth mechanism of Bi2O3 ribbons with different morphologies.

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary surfactin supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and some serum biochemical parameters of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) juveniles. Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly divided into six treatment groups with four replicates in each group and 15 fish in each replicate. The dietary surfactin levels of four treatment groups were 0 (control group), 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The trial period was 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, final body weight, weight gain rate, and feed conversion ratio were improved significantly by 100mg/kg surfactin supplementation (P<0.05). No significant differences of feeding rate and survival rate were found between the control group and all surfactin supplementation groups (P>0.05). Protease and lipase activity in intestine of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Amylase activity was not affected significantly by surfactin supplementation (P>0.05). The blood urea nitrogen levels, and acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity in 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups were significantly ameliorated (P<0.05). The albumin level of 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Lysozyme activity of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated a promotion of growth performance and improvement of intestinal digestive enzyme activity, and some serum biochemical parameters of the orange-spotted grouper juveniles by appropriate surfactin levels supplemented in diet.

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary surfactin supplementation on parameters related to lipid metabolism of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) juveniles. Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups, and fed dietary surfactin levels: S0 (control group), S25, S50, S100, S150, and S200 mg/kg, respectively. Four replicates with 15 fish per tank were randomly assigned to each group. The trial period was 56 days. The lipid levels in serum, liver, and whole fish, and some lipid metabolism enzymes in the liver were measured. When compared to fish fed no surfactin, fish fed diets supplemented with surfactin presented lower levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum; lower lipid levels in whole fish and liver (only 100 and 150 mg/kg surfactin groups) were observed. Dietary 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation had the most influence on lipids level in serum, whole fish, and liver of orange-spotted grouper juveniles. Lower levels of fatty acid synthetase and higher activity of hepatic lipase and lipoprotein (lipase in liver) were affected only by 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation in diet. The levels of acetyl CoA carboxylase were similar in all groups. This suggests that appropriate supplementation levels of surfactin in the diet of orange-spotted grouper juveniles might have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism to improve fish health status. The IJA appears exclusively as a peer-reviewed on-line open-access journal at http://www.siamb.org.il. To read papers free of charge, please register online at registration form. Sale of IJA papers is strictly forbidden.

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary surfactin supplementation on parameters related to lipid metabolism of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) juveniles. Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly divided into 6 treatment groups, and fed dietary surfactin levels: S0 (control group), S25, S50, S100, S150, and S200 mg/kg, respectively. Four replicates with 15 fish per tank were randomly assigned to each group. The trial period was 56 days. The lipid levels in serum, liver, and whole fish, and some lipid metabolism enzymes in the liver were measured. When compared to fish fed no surfactin, fish fed diets supplemented with surfactin presented lower levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum; lower lipid levels in whole fish and liver (only 100 and 150 mg/kg surfactin groups) were observed. Dietary 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation had the most influence on lipids level in serum, whole fish, and liver of orange-spotted grouper juveniles. Lower levels of fatty acid synthetase and higher activity of hepatic lipase and lipoprotein (lipase in liver) were affected only by 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation in diet. The levels of acetyl CoA carboxylase were similar in all groups. This suggests that appropriate supplementation levels of surfactin in the diet of orange-spotted grouper juveniles might have beneficial effects on lipid metabolism to improve fish health status. The IJA appears exclusively as a peer-reviewed on-line open-access journal at http://www.siamb.org.il. To read papers free of charge, please register online at registration form. Sale of IJA papers is strictly forbidden.

This trial was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary surfactin supplementation on the growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, and some serum biochemical parameters of orange-spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides) juveniles. Three hundred and sixty fish were randomly divided into six treatment groups with four replicates in each group and 15 fish in each replicate. The dietary surfactin levels of four treatment groups were 0 (control group), 25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The trial period was 8 weeks. Compared with the control group, final body weight, weight gain rate, and feed conversion ratio were improved significantly by 100mg/kg surfactin supplementation (P<0.05). No significant differences of feeding rate and survival rate were found between the control group and all surfactin supplementation groups (P>0.05). Protease and lipase activity in intestine of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). Amylase activity was not affected significantly by surfactin supplementation (P>0.05). The blood urea nitrogen levels, and acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activity in 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups were significantly ameliorated (P<0.05). The albumin level of 100 mg/kg surfactin supplementation group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Lysozyme activity of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg surfactin supplementation groups was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, we demonstrated a promotion of growth performance and improvement of intestinal digestive enzyme activity, and some serum biochemical parameters of the orange-spotted grouper juveniles by appropriate surfactin levels supplemented in diet.