New developments in fish amino acid nutrition: towards functional and environmentally oriented aquafeeds

Abstract

Recent evidence shows that some amino acids and their metabolites are important regulators of key metabolic pathways that are necessary for maintenance, growth, feed intake, nutrient utilization, immunity, behavior, larval metamorphosis, reproduction, as well as resistance to environmental stressors and pathogenic organisms in various fishes. Therefore, conventional definitions on essential and nonessential amino acids for fish are challenged by numerous discoveries that taurine, glutamine, glycine, proline and hydroxyproline promote growth, development, and health of aquatic animals. On the basis of their crucial roles in cell metabolism and physiology, we anticipate that dietary supplementation with specific amino acids may be beneficial for: (1) increasing the chemo-attractive property and nutritional value of aquafeeds with low fishmeal inclusion; (2) optimizing efficiency of metabolic transformation in juvenile and sub-adult fishes; (3) surpressing aggressive behaviors and cannibalism; (4) increasing larval performance and survival; (5) mediating timing and efficiency of spawning; (6) improving fillet taste and texture; and (7) enhancing immunity and tolerance to environmental stresses. Functional amino acids hold great promise for development of balanced aquafeeds to enhance the efficiency and profitability of global aquaculture production.

Length-weight relationship and prediction equations of body composition for growing-finishing cage-farmed Nile tilapia

“…Feed intake is a major factor for tilapia growth (Tran-Duy et al, 2012), and in our study, fish preferred to be fed to apparent satiation because of the constant and high dissolved oxygen concentration during trial studies. Besides this, all essential amino acids were supplied to meet the dietary requirement of Nile tilapia, as described in NRC (2011) based on the ideal-protein concept, to optimize protein (amino acids) utilization for fish growth and health (Li et al, 2009). The length-weight relationship was established using the equation W = 0.0203 × L 3.0604 (R² = 0.9914) (Figure 1).…”

Effect of dietary arginine on the immune response and gene expression in head kidney and spleen following infection of Jian carp with Aeromonas hydrophila

“…The beneficial effects of dietary arginine on Jian carp erythrocyte and leukocyte contents may be related to polyamines. Polyamines, important products of arginine degradation in cells, are essential for cell proliferation [52]. However, more study is required to validate this hypothesis.…”

Functional amino acids in nutrition and health

“…In addition, a lack of arginine from the maternal diet impairs embryonic/fetal survival and growth despite the absence of a negative nitrogen balance in the gestating swine . Indeed, there has been no compelling evidence for sufficient synthesis of nutritionally ''nonessential'' AA in humans and other animals (Li et al 2009;Wu 2010).…”